Reason and Tradition in Episcopalianism

The slogan that's in this forum's name -- "Scripture, Tradition, Reason" -- really is a good description of the process. We study Scripture. While many of us are not inerrantists, nevertheless the teachings of Scripture are very important to us. We study Tradition -- the teachings and practices of the community of Christians back across the centuries, including Anglican theologians but certainly not limited to Anglican theologians. Using our reason, we study science, archaeology, psychology, and the other realms of human knowledge, and we study our own experiences of God as well, both individual and collective experiences. Putting all that together, we try to discern truths about God and God's relationship to us.

To be clear, we don't see the BCP as any kind of inspired document from heaven. Rather, it is a book that expresses the beliefs and practices that our community has (mostly) agreed upon, expressed in the language of worship and prayer.

Yes, there are diverse opinions on the exact nature of the atonement, and you'll see some of this even in the language of the Eucharistic liturgy. I see Christus Victor language in the 1979 TEC Prayer Book, but there's substitution in there as well, and some other images. We tend not to talk about end times much, beyond "Christ will come again" or "He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end." One commonly-held view is that most of Revelation was talking about things that were going on in the author's own time, but other views are certainly acceptable. We deliberately allow a diversity of views on many issues; we are different from Catholics, Orthodox, and confessional Lutherans on this point.

Sola1517 said:

I believe @Tutorman said this:

"Who said we need the Bible alone? Where in the Bible does it say "invite Jesus into your heart"? Where does it say to obsess about the end times? Where does it say that each person should look at the Bible an figure out things for themselves?"

I am just wondering, as a person who is not Anglican/Episcopal how Episcopalians figure out theology. I realize that the BCP is a central text in the Anglican Church. But are there diverse opinions in the Anglican/Episcopal church on things like atonement, or sanctification, or sin?

Just curious, what is the consensus on the end times?

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There is a suggestion that if all the Anglicans in the world were laid end to end they would never reach a conclusion! Whilst that is true, there are some rails to Anglican theology and theopraxy, and a lot of these have been challenged in recent times, but not simply in recent times.

In general I think that the Anglican position on scripture tends towards 'prima scriptura' rather than sola scriptura though certainly close to it, and certainly never to my mind has it been only scripture, save that the Thirty Nine Articles do affirm that all things required for salvation may be found in scripture, and that nothing that can not be proved in scripture can be required of a person for salvation. They also very wisely make the point that no part of scripture should be expounded in a manner that is repugnant to another part of scripture.

Sola1517 said:

I believe @Tutorman said this:

"Who said we need the Bible alone? Where in the Bible does it say "invite Jesus into your heart"? Where does it say to obsess about the end times? Where does it say that each person should look at the Bible an figure out things for themselves?"

I am just wondering, as a person who is not Anglican/Episcopal how Episcopalians figure out theology. I realize that the BCP is a central text in the Anglican Church. But are there diverse opinions in the Anglican/Episcopal church on things like atonement, or sanctification, or sin?

Just curious, what is the consensus on the end times?

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Those are good questions. I am not Anglican/Episcopalian USA but a separate fellowship and we figure out things through our house of Bishops, The Church Fathers, along with Scripture

Sola1517 said:

Just curious, what is the consensus on the end times?

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Anglicans are generally amillennialists.

Sola1517 said:

Well obviously Christ hasn't returned yet, would Postmillennial views be acceptable?

How do you feel about postmillennial theology?

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Anglicans just do not dwell on these matters and certainly would not dogmatize any particular POV. We believe in the Second Coming and know to treat it as something that could happen at any time, but we do not know when that will be. When it comes to an individual member being persuaded by pre- or post- views, that would be unusual, Id say, but it would be taken by the rest of us as simply his own guesswork.

My rector is something of a Post-Millenialist in the sense that he espouses the second coming will happen after a period of great evangelistic success. I don't know if he believes that the period of time will be precisely a millennium.

Partial preterism is quite common among Anglican theologians. I suspect if you asked the people in the pews you would find little interest in the subject and mainly ignorance as to the various prevalent opinions of the end-time. I have had the experience of being under several rectors who will sermonize on the general subject once or twice a year.

Sola1517 said:

Okay, so is reason a source of theology to you?

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Yes

Sola1517 said:

Okay, so is reason a source of theology to you?

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I don't think any of us are helped by unreasoned theology. Anglicans are not required to hang their brains in the narthex as they enter the Church!

Anglican faith is the faith of the original, undivided church.

The Bible is the only text where God’s word is revealed.

Naomi4Christ said:

Anglican faith is the faith of the original, undivided church.

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...or about as close as there is in todays world.

I can't speak to any consensus on end times. Episcopalians are better at common worship than common belief. I grew up in an end times obsessed family where a whole lot of energy was expended surrounding the end time. My own position is wondering what all the fuss is about end times? What I believe about end times will not change what, when, or how God will do it. What I believe about end times is not necessary for my salvation. Good Christian pre-, post-, and amillenialists are all going to Heaven, just because they're Good Christians. If I am an obedient disciple and walk in the Way of Jesus, I will be prepared for the end time whenever and however it occurs. I believe our focus should be on being faithful, living the best Christian life we can, and turning away from sin so we're ready for what happens next while leaving God to sort out the details. Because He is going to do that anyway no matter what we think about it.

seeking.IAM said:

Episcopalians are better at common worship than common belief.

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The expression used to be that we are a diverse group of people loosely bound together by a prayer book!