Cranmer Readings: 8/30/2022

Alan Weatherall, “Thomas Cranmer: Theologian, Archbishop, and Theologian:” discusses the turnover discussion between Sir Hawkin and Dr. Cranmer in Nov 1532, as Cranmer gets notice that Henry has recalled him to become the ABC. "Tom, life as you once knew it is over."

Rev. Dr. Philip Edgcumbe Hughes, “Theology of English Reformers:” 5. Ministry, 159-188. The English Ordinal. Priest and Presbyter. Cranmer discusses the pastoral duties of the Bishop and Presbyter. Hughes goes on to attribute, largely and exclusively, the English Reformation to Cranmer. Overdone, we think.

10. Prayer Book Catholicism—Sheridan Gilley, 167-189. Sheridan describes the church as a “preaching box” in 1800. Mattins, Evening Prayer, black begowned cleric, with a triple-decker "preaching-reading box" with communion perhaps quarterly. Of course, singing metrical Psalms in many places as hymnody gains traction.

Diarmaid McCulloch’s “Thomas Cranmer:” Prof. Mac gives additional info on Cranmer’s Erastianism and belief in Royal Supremacy, threatened by Anabaptistic attacks on government (280). That Anabaptists, on this narrow point, affirmed the early church as being on its own without government oversight.

Arthur Innes: “Cranmer and the Reformation in England:” 10. CHAPTER X JOSIAH: 1547-1549, 111-126. The New Government. Gardiner in opposition on the Eucharist as debates unfold in the LORDs, 14-18 Dec 1548. Theory of the Eucharist and the bone-munchers (our word) for the cannibals (114).

Leslie Williams’ “Emblem of Faith Untouched: A Short Life of Thomas Cranmer:” 12. Conspiracy, 75-84. One hears of the Prebendaries’ Plot, 1540-1543, with reversals for Cranmer and the King’s Book, largely, a Romanist rehash with a few minor variants. Gardiner is in the thick of it.

Ayris, Paul, and David Selwyn, eds. “Thomas Cranmer: Churchman and Scholar:” 10. Cranmer, the Eucharist and the Foreign Divines in the Reign of Edward VI—Basil Hall, 217-260. The backdrop to the debate in Parliament in Dec 1548 is given. Basil denies or minimizes Traheron’s report to Swiss divines on Cranmer’s arguments against the bone-munchy-crunchers. We’ll see how Basil does beyond the mitigatory comments by mere dismissal. Weird.