Reformed Anglicans

During the Reformation and post-Reformation period, the Anglican, Lutheran, and Reformed Churches were closely linked to civil magistrates, who played a significant role in governing and regulating these religious institutions. However, the Anabaptists and Congregationalists emerged as important advocates for religious freedom and autonomy. This ultimately led to the break in the connection between the churches and the civil authorities. The Nicene Creed was the primary standard for defining the faith during this time. Additionally, the preaching and teaching of the Canonical Scriptures were regarded as fundamental to the faith. The proper administration of the sacraments was also deemed critical. Church discipline, advocated by Calvin, Bucer, and the Belgic Confession, was seen as an essential aspect of maintaining doctrinal purity. Church discipline served to correct doctrinal errors, prevent moral corruption, and ensure the purity of the Church. In conclusion, during the Reforma...

Historical Theology (Dr. Allison): Church in the Middle Ages (574ff.). Thomas Aquinas, a celebrated philosopher and theologian, is known for his significant contribution to the concept of viewing the church from three distinct perspectives. He proposed that the church could be perceived as the church militant, which symbolizes the church at war and fighting, the church triumphant, which represents saints in heaven, and the church expectant, which signifies Purgatory, where people expect further cleansing and transfer to heaven. Aquinas was renowned for his opposition to Rome's growing involvement in secular matters such as government, economics, power grabs by Popes, and the growing immorality. This conflict with Rome led to the emergence of new ecclesiologies, each with its unique perspective on the church and its governance. For instance, Joachim's apocalyptic vision of the Old Testament, New Testament, and a new age with hermits and preachers, was one of the ecclesiologi...

Nigel Wilson set forward a draft document of 6 affirmation for discussion--affirmations. See: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox?projector=1. We got through the overview but stayed on point one. Paul Slish offered many good points, but his presentation on Dr. Colvin's view of the myth of diaconal succession in Acts 6 was postponed until the next meeting of Saturday, 6 April 2024, at 10 EDT/3 PM (British summer time). The zoom link for URS #5 is: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqcuuprj8sHdxgjb88My_1pQKQ9XBoPezh . Nigel offered Canon Ashley Null's comments on Dr. Cranmer's view of apostolic succession. A wonderful confab. Grahame Wray and others underscored "apostolic orthodoxy and othopraxy." Phil (Don) Veitch stressed the NT as the "last will and testament" of the NT writers, wishing to lay down the record for all generations. We commented on the corruption of monarchialism. Joe Mahler and I noted that "apostolic succession" ...

Iconolatry, iconoclasm, Charlemagne’s emergence, the 1054 schism, bickering over place and power, and Western Papalism emerges.