Reformed Anglicans

In pp.60-70, the “mosaic” (our word) of many patterns is shuffled, reshuffled, arrange and rearranged, debated, discussed, experimented with and more as the 1980 Alternative Service Book emerges from the 1872 and 1928 trials, tribulations, disquisitions, efforts and even Parliamentary rows (e.g., the 1928 BCP). To follow the details is to be working with a giant jig-saw puzzle. Can on just go back to the 1662 BCP without all this-that-the-other-because-of-this-that-the-other? Can we just get a good systematic theology outta England since 1980? 

Chapter 4: Cranmer and the Daily Services—Anthony Gelston, 51-81. The Roman Catholic Oratorian, Louis Bouyer, said in 1956 of the daily offices: “…a Divine Office which is not a devotion of specialists but truly a public Office of the whole Christian people…that the Offices of Morning Prayer and Evensong, as they are performed even today in St. Paul’s, Westminster Abbey, York Minister, or Canterbury Cathedral, are not only one of the most impressive, but also one of the purest forms of Christian common prayer to be found anywhere in the world.”  Cranmer’s governing principles: whole Bible read at least once per year, Psalms monthly, vernacular services, simplified calendar, consonance with Scriptures, and “one use,” doing away with the Sarum, Lincoln and York uses. Three emphases: intended for laity and clergy, intelligent participation and, given the Reformation influence, doctrinal purity.  As a Reformed man, someone can live with these daily offices throughout the year. We ...

4: A TENDER CONSCIENCE: 1503-1529, pp.35-41. One gets a high-school level retelling of the story of Henry VIII, the marriage to Catherine of Aragon, Julius 11’s dispensation to allow the marriage, Henry’s undisturbed conscience until children are being still-born, the awakening of Henry’s conscience and new-found scruples (with Anne in view) and the diverse views on the marriage’s nullity. Wolsey was opposed to splitting from Rome as he lusted to be the Pope himself. Gardiner, of course, was a socio-theological ladder-climber so he inclined to his Master’s inclination. Catherine, of course, in nowise favored Henry’s game. Pope Clement, ever-vacillating, needed to keep peace with Charles V. The first steps for “divorce,” or, more accurately, the “nullity” are shaping up. Campeggio and Wolsey play the Pope’s obstructive game. Henry ain’t gonna take this lyin’ down. Conclusion? New methods and strategies are needed. Dr. Cranmer will soon be one of Henry's "tools in the tool kit....

Jewel’s praise of and delight in the Bible: “Here is to be seen the triumph of God, the Lord of lords, and the King of kings; how He hath made the name of His Son triumph over principalities and power, and over the whole world. Here is a paradise full of delights; no tongue is able to speak them, they are so many; no heart is able to conceive them, they be so great. Here is a shop, wherein is set out the wisdom and knowledge, the power, the judgments, and mercies of God. Which may soever we look, we see the works of His hands; His works of creation, and the preservation of all things; His works of severe justice upon the wicked, and of gracious redemption; His works of severe justice upon the wicked, and of gracious redemption to the believer. If we desire pleasant music or excellent harmony, it speaketh unto us the words of the Father and the consent of the Son; the excellent reports of the prophets, apostles, angles, and saints of God, who have been all taught by the Holy Ghost. If ...

John Jewel and Practical Theology: 2 Tim. 3.16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Jewel: “All that is written in the Word of God is not written for angels or archangels or heavenly spirits, but for the sons of men, for us, and for our instruction; that by them we may receive strength and comfort in all adversities and have hope of the life to come. It is the Word of God: God openeth His mouth and speaketh to us, to guide us into all truth, to make us full and ready in all good works, that we may be perfect [DPV, mature] men in Christ Jesus; so rooted and grounded in Him, that we be not tossed to and for with every tempest.” Jewel. Works, 4.1166.