Anglo-Catholic Justification Question

[Paidiske]

Well, to be fair, I think we do and say lots of things which the drafters of the Articles probably didn't intend. If someone can put up a good argument as to how their views, which are different to mine, fit the Articles I'll give it due consideration. I haven't actually heard that argument in this case. In fact, I'm not aware of this issue being one which is much discussed as a live area of contention. I've had arguments with Anglo-Catholics about rosaries and adoration and purgatory, and probably other things besides, but not doctrine of justification per se.

 

[CanadianAnglican]

I've never heard an argument that praying the rosary is contrary to the articles. (ha, as an aside my tablet's keyboard autosuggests the call number at my seminary's library for EH Browne's exposition of the 39 Articles after I write the word article.) I have heard arguments for Eucharist in adoration being consistent with the articles, and I find it to be a rather compelling argument. I've never heard of an Anglican upholding 'the Romish doctrine of purgatory' but there are certainly view of purgation after physical death which are consistent with Holy Scripture and which I have heard offered as pious beliefs.

One big thing to bear in mind when examining these things is that the Articles prohibit anything contrary to scripture and the teaching as required belief of doctrines not provable by scripture. You are certainly within your right to teach, as a pious belief, things not provable by scripture but also not contrary to it.

 

[Paidiske]

If the invocation of saints is a "fond thing vainly invented," then praying the Hail Mary does become a problem, from my point of view at least. I have an Anglican rosary and I use it for other prayers, but not to ask intercession of the saints.

I can see an argument for reserving the Sacrament for later consumption (such as taking to the sick or later administration when the priest is not there) as being consistent with the Articles, but I think adoration goes beyond how we might "duly use" the Sacrament and tips over into that stuff about being gazed upon and worshipped.

But my point is, that's the sort of in-house squabble that I think is quite common between Anglo-Catholics and other Anglicans, rather than arguments about justification.

 

[Albion]

I've never heard an argument that praying the rosary is contrary to the articles...You are certainly within your right to teach, as a pious belief, things not provable by scripture but also not contrary to it.

Now you have.

Article XXII. Of Purgatory

The Romish doctrine of Purgatory, Pardons, Worshipping and Adoration, as well of Images as of Relics, and also Invocations of Saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God.

 

[CanadianAnglican]

Ah, I see my mistake: when I pray the rosary, I don't think of it necessarily in RC terms, but you're absolutely right there that it would run afoul of inovcation of saints and more broadly Article XXII's condemnation of ascribing the same worth as God to anyrthing or anyone.

With respect to Article XXVIII relating to the Eucharist, the gist of the counter-argument is that the point there is also about shifting the focus of the Eucharist away from reception towards worshipping the consacrated elements themselves, something that was happening more and more through reservation and Eucharistic Adoration. It goes a bit far in some of the descriptions, but it's fairly clear from comparing the Rubrics of the BCP with the Article that Article XXVIII can't just be interpreted as a blanket ban.

If you guys are interested in more discussion I would be happy to oblige. Sorry for the long delayed response.