Anglicans - Protestant or Catholic?

glo1 · #21 17th July 2008, 03:08 AM

Originally Posted by No Swansong

As you will find Anglicans hold a lot of different views, probably because we refuse to strongly define a lot of things such as the Real Presence. We accept that Christ is truly present but we do not define how He is present. Some see this as both a weakness and a strength. At least that is how I see it.
this.

That's really interesting, No Swansong.

You see, the reason I am asking, is that I feel God is drawing me to the local Anglican church.
When I look around the congregation, I see a lot of that diversity that you describe. Some very traditional people who appreciate the traditional Eucharist, some contemporary people who want to bring changes to the worship etc. And people seem to have all sorts of interests/ministries: from environmental concerns over intercession to evangelising.

All in all, the congregation seems much more diverse than my previous church (pentecostal charismatic)

Having decided to be obedient to follow God's call and join the local Anglican church, it occurred to me that I didn't really know about its theology ... that's why I came her to ask.

One more question:
What does the Anglican Church think about transubstantiation?

Thanks

later nonjuror · #22 17th July 2008, 06:19 AM

"Can somebody explain to me whether the Anglican church is Protestant or Catholic in its views/theology, or something altogether?"

Traditionally Anglican Churches used to have a notice in their porch bearing a short definition of their faith for all to see!

The Anglican Church is defined by the
1. REVELATION OF CHRIST ONCE MADE TO THE SAINTS, (Jude 3.
2. Recorded in scripture,
3.Interpreted by the Holy Fathers in Council and the consensus of the Greek Fathers of the First Three Centuries.

In some Churches a further explanation was carried.
Councils?
We believe that the Holy Scripture is completed, explained and interpreted by Holy Tradition. Particularly this is found in the teaching of the Seven Ecumenical Council s.

No Swansong · #23 17th July 2008, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by glo1

That's really interesting, No Swansong.

You see, the reason I am asking, is that I feel God is drawing me to the local Anglican church.
When I look around the congregation, I see a lot of that diversity that you describe. Some very traditional people who appreciate the traditional Eucharist, some contemporary people who want to bring changes to the worship etc. And people seem to have all sorts of interests/ministries: from environmental concerns over intercession to evangelising.

All in all, the congregation seems much more diverse than my previous church (pentecostal charismatic)

Having decided to be obedient to follow God's call and join the local Anglican church, it occurred to me that I didn't really know about its theology ... that's why I came her to ask.

One more question:
What does the Anglican Church think about transubstantiation?

Thanks

From the 39 Articles of Religion found in EVERY book of common prayer. Which contrary to what some believe defines Anglicanism. (The BCP not necessarily the 39 articles)

XXVIII. Of the Lord's Supper.
The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another, but rather it is a Sacrament of our Redemption by Christ's death: insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ; and likewise the Cup of Blessing is a partaking of the Blood of Christ. Transubstantiation (or the change of the substance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions.
The Body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten, in the Supper, only after an heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper, is Faith.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.

No Swansong · #24 17th July 2008, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by later nonjuror

"Can somebody explain to me whether the Anglican church is Protestant or Catholic in its views/theology, or something altogether?"

Traditionally Anglican Churches used to have a notice in their porch bearing a short definition of their faith for all to see!

The Anglican Church is defined by the
1. REVELATION OF CHRIST ONCE MADE TO THE SAINTS, (Jude 3.
2. Recorded in scripture,
3.Interpreted by the Holy Fathers in Council and the consensus of the Greek Fathers of the First Three Centuries.

In some Churches a further explanation was carried.
Councils?
We believe that the Holy Scripture is completed, explained and interpreted by Holy Tradition. Particularly this is found in the teaching of the Seven Ecumenical Council s.

This may be true of the CofE churches however I do not believe it to be true of any other Churches in the Anglican Communion. Additionally I am assured by English friends that it is not true of Cof#E Churches today. I am also assured that the reason it is no longer used is that it was found contradictory to Anglican doctrine.

Albion · #25 17th July 2008, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by No Swansong

This may be true of the CofE churches however I do not believe it to be true of any other Churches in the Anglican Communion. Additionally I am assured by English friends that it is not true of Cof#E Churches today. I am also assured that the reason it is no longer used is that it was found contradictory to Anglican doctrine.

The plain fact is that there is no single answer. The Church is both reformed and catholic, having qualities of both varieties of Christian thinking and organization. The specific answer you get to this question (Protestant or Catholic?) usually depends upon which way the individual giving the answer wants to see his church.

Markus6 · #26 17th July 2008, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by JasonV

I believe you are mistaken. Old Catholics are protestants in the sense of protesting the position of the Bishop of Rome. I consider Anglicans in the same sense.

"Protestant" really only refers to the protestant reformation, a movement that the Church of England really was a part of, albeit in a different way to those in Europe.

Originally Posted by glo1

That's really interesting, No Swansong.

You see, the reason I am asking, is that I feel God is drawing me to the local Anglican church.
When I look around the congregation, I see a lot of that diversity that you describe. Some very traditional people who appreciate the traditional Eucharist, some contemporary people who want to bring changes to the worship etc. And people seem to have all sorts of interests/ministries: from environmental concerns over intercession to evangelising.

All in all, the congregation seems much more diverse than my previous church (pentecostal charismatic)

Having decided to be obedient to follow God's call and join the local Anglican church, it occurred to me that I didn't really know about its theology ... that's why I came her to ask.

Can I ask where abouts the church is? As a fellow englishman I would be rather interested.

I think the history of the church in England has really helped the CofE become a very diverse place. The parish system seems to create churches that seek to serve a community of people rather than a particular style. The fact that the church has been so dominant in England means most of the changes of style and focus have occured within the church instead of breaking off (with notable exceptions e.g. Wesley who wasn't trying to break from Anglicanism).

I commend you in your obedience to God's call and I pray that you would find fellowship and a chance to serve the Lord.

Sitswithamouse · #27 17th July 2008, 12:54 PM

Doesn't matter.
Sorry

glo1 · #28 17th July 2008, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Markus6

I commend you in your obedience to God's call and I pray that you would find fellowship and a chance to serve the Lord.

Thank you, Markus.

I am not quite sure where God is leading me ...
It feels like an exciting adventure at the moment!

glo1 · #29 17th July 2008, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by No Swansong

From the 39 Articles of Religion found in EVERY book of common prayer.

I am just reading up on the 39 articles of Religion ...
Are these then the theological statements most Anglicans would agree to?
Have they remained the same since the 16th century?

Albion · #30 17th July 2008, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by glo1

I am just reading up on the 39 articles of Religion ...
Are these then the theological statements most Anglicans would agree to?

Hard to say. There are no others that rival the 39 Articles in the Church, and the clergy were, until recently and still by implication, required to attest to them (Maybe still are in the CofE if not everywhere else), BUT just like the Bible where every verse can be interpreted differently by a bunch of different people even though the words don't change, the Articles have been subjected to all manner of different interpretations themselves.

For example, one of them rejects the "Romish" teachings on Purgatory, Indulgences and some other things. Does this mean that those things which are characteristic of the Roman Church are rejected by the CofE? Or does it mean that the "Romish Doctrine concerning X,Y, and Z" is wrong, as though some other church believes in all of these items and that they are OK except for that particular slant put on them by Rome (in other words, Purgatory is not rejected, just the "Romish" explanation of it)? Or could it mean that the way that the Roman Church spoke of and taught about those things AT THE TIME (late 16th century) is condemned, but not any longer.

You get all of these things, but the Articles--in the normal way of reading them--are still a reasonable guage of Anglican thought, and you can see that they strike a balance between Catholicism and Puritanism. Anglicans often say that we are a middle of the road church, not tending towards any extremes or doctrines peculiar to us alone, so that seems to reflect the tone of the Articles.

remained the same since the 16th century?

Yes.