The Anglican via media is often understood as a middle way between Catholicism and Protestantism, but that’s not true. Anglicanism is via media, a middle way, but it’s between different Protestant traditions, notably the Continental Reformation in cities like Zurich, Strasbourg, and Geneva (i.e., Bullinger, Bucer, and Calvin) in juxtaposition with the German Reformation in Wittenberg (i.e., Luther). In other words, Anglicanism is the attempt to pave a way between different ways of being Protestant. That’s what the Anglican
I have been a priest of the Episcopal church for more than 40 years after attending one of our finest seminaries. I have never heard or read anything even vaguely resembling the confusion of your piece and it’s misinterpretation of history. One must wonder what axe you are grinding?
Thanks Dr. Bird. I discovered biography titled Emblem of Faith Untouched: A Short Life of Thomas Cranmer on Christian book. Com about 160 pages I might read it. I also read a great book to learn about the development of the Book of Common Prayer titled Worship by Faith Alone: Thomas Cranmer and the Reformation of Liturgy. I’m not an Anglican but I really like learning about the Anglican history.
I tell people that I'm Presbyterian in church membership but, overall, tend to lean Anglican. I would have joined an Anglican church but Anglicanism here in the US (and in TX where I live) is a toss up between Anglo-Catholics and charismatics. The number of Reformed Anglican churches are far and few between.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on Bray's Anglicanism book. Personally, I've never seen Anglicanism to be a via media between Rome and Geneva. I love that Cranmer took the best of Lutheranism and Continental Reformed as the basis for the BCP (particularly the 1662). I find that a lot of Anglo-Catholics practice historical revisionism to justify their view of Anglicanism. I never understood how the Oxford movement found the evidence they needed to have the CofE return to an "ancient tradition"? I've come across a many Baptists wanting to become Anglicans and go down this route of Anglo-Catholicism. Their history goes back to the 19th century and circumvents Cranmer altogether.
This article is a needed reminder that the Anglican church whose liturgy and theology I loved so much had its roots in the Reformation, is thoroughly Protestant, and enjoys living with the tension of Geneva and Wittenburg. I've found that some of the best theologians I've learned from were Anglican (Christ Wright, Holmes, Sanders, you). As a Presbyterian now I find doing theology, at times, difficult because of the over-emphasis on being a subcriptionist. One day, I'll find a nice Anglican church somewhere and find myself "going home" with the tradition I ended up loving.
Wow. There seems to be some disagreement in the history of Anglicanism between the both of you. For us who are observers who desire to learn more. Dr. Bird what books do you recommend that we read that would support your assessment and the same for the Episcopalian Priest
I have been a priest of the Episcopal church for more than 40 years after attending one of our finest seminaries. I have never heard or read anything even vaguely resembling the confusion of your piece and it’s misinterpretation of history. One must wonder what axe you are grinding?
Fr. Carlton, my only axe is the correct understanding of the Anglican via media between Bucer and Luther!
Hey Dr. Bird what books do you recommend from your recent assessment of the Anglican via media.
A good biography of Cranmer.
Thanks Dr. Bird. I discovered biography titled Emblem of Faith Untouched: A Short Life of Thomas Cranmer on Christian book. Com about 160 pages I might read it. I also read a great book to learn about the development of the Book of Common Prayer titled Worship by Faith Alone: Thomas Cranmer and the Reformation of Liturgy. I’m not an Anglican but I really like learning about the Anglican history.
Nick, no shame in being a closet Anglophile!
I tell people that I'm Presbyterian in church membership but, overall, tend to lean Anglican. I would have joined an Anglican church but Anglicanism here in the US (and in TX where I live) is a toss up between Anglo-Catholics and charismatics. The number of Reformed Anglican churches are far and few between.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on Bray's Anglicanism book. Personally, I've never seen Anglicanism to be a via media between Rome and Geneva. I love that Cranmer took the best of Lutheranism and Continental Reformed as the basis for the BCP (particularly the 1662). I find that a lot of Anglo-Catholics practice historical revisionism to justify their view of Anglicanism. I never understood how the Oxford movement found the evidence they needed to have the CofE return to an "ancient tradition"? I've come across a many Baptists wanting to become Anglicans and go down this route of Anglo-Catholicism. Their history goes back to the 19th century and circumvents Cranmer altogether.
This article is a needed reminder that the Anglican church whose liturgy and theology I loved so much had its roots in the Reformation, is thoroughly Protestant, and enjoys living with the tension of Geneva and Wittenburg. I've found that some of the best theologians I've learned from were Anglican (Christ Wright, Holmes, Sanders, you). As a Presbyterian now I find doing theology, at times, difficult because of the over-emphasis on being a subcriptionist. One day, I'll find a nice Anglican church somewhere and find myself "going home" with the tradition I ended up loving.
It’s interesting that not one of the esteemed professors of church history I have studied with or read, have ever mentioned your assumption
Wow. There seems to be some disagreement in the history of Anglicanism between the both of you. For us who are observers who desire to learn more. Dr. Bird what books do you recommend that we read that would support your assessment and the same for the Episcopalian Priest