How to answer this?

[MKJ]

Is any credence given to the story of Joseph of Arimathea, being a merchant, sailing to England and bringing Christianity in the first century?

Mary

I think its one of those things that you believe or disbelieve with no strings attached.

There does not seem to be any historical evidence that it happened.

 

[Albion]

Not by many, except the kind of new agers who'll believe any story that includes Glastonbury

I wouldn't be too quick to say that, considering that the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games held last year in England featured a reenactment of the event!

There's more than a little evidence pointing to the accuracy of this history, although it cannot be proven absolutely. But then, neither can plenty of other historical events we all assume to be true on account of similar evidence.

 

[ebia]

I wouldn't be too quick to say that, considering that the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games held last year in England featured a reenactment of the event!

Continuing to tell stories because the community enjoys them is not uncommon. It usually crops up on UK media alongside the "Jesus's bones have been found in Jerusalem" stories and their Christmas equivalents.

Of the people in England I can think of who are inclined to believe the story, all are "new age" types and not one is a mainstream educated Christian. And that's come from living in the Westcountry for 15 years.

 

[Albion]

Continuing to tell stories because the community enjoys them is not uncommon.

Of the people in England I can think of who are inclined to believe the story, all are "new age" types and not one is a mainstream educated Christian.

Well, there is quite a bit of evidence that this account is true...and if the host committee for the Olympic games saw fit to reenact this as its representation of Britain to a world audience--that's what the opening ceremonies do--I would not be so flippant about it.

What individuals may think about it means little, considering that most of them have hardly any knowledge of history these days and those who do know something of history are likely to consider anything religious to be absurd or worse.

 

[MKJ]

Well, there is quite a bit of evidence that this account is true...and if the host committee for the Olympic games saw fit to reenact this as its representation of Britain to a world audience--that's what the opening ceremonies do--I would not be so flippant about it.

What individuals may think about it means little, considering that most of them have hardly any knowledge of history these days and those who do know something of history are likely to consider anything religious to be absurd or worse.

Can you give some sources or links or anything - I dont doubt you but I have never heard anything but that it is totally without evidence.

I agree though that people often misunderstand what constitutes historical evidence. And after all, the city of Troy was found after thousands of years - supposedly legendary stories can be based on real events.

 

[ebia]

Well, there is quite a bit of evidence that this account is true...and if the host committee for the Olympic games saw fit to reenact this as its representation of Britain to a world audience--that's what the opening ceremonies do--I would not be so flippant about it.

What individuals may think about it means little, considering that most of them have hardly any knowledge of history these days and those who do know something of history are likely to consider anything religious to be absurd or worse.

That the Olympic committee chose to enact it shows nothing specific. A cultural story can be told without suggesting its historical.

 

[Cjwinnit]

PV, you really need to stop being so reactionary to people. You make it impossible for people to have a civil discussion in almost every thread.

PV and I have crossed swords a few times - I rather enjoyed the experience. This forum would be pretty boring without a few lively debates!

 

[Sean611]

I think your husband was blunt, but in all honesty he hit the nail on the head.
It's interesting that the Anglican church still exists based on its origin ...

This is nonsense. The Church in England existed before being brought under Papal authority.

Further, Popes handed out annulments to nobility and royalty like it was candy at the time. Henry VIII couldn't get one due to Papal politics, plain and simple. I'm not making any excuses for Henry, but to lay everything at his feet is nonsense.

This video addresses common Roman Catholic misrepresentations with regard to Anglicans and divorce.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULz7PZsMEf4&list=FLIJ_QZO4hrUkzXFrPLb_wfg

 

[PaladinValer]

This is nonsense. The Church in England existed before being brought under Papal authority.

Further, Popes handed out annulments to nobility and royalty like it was candy at the time. Henry VIII couldn't get one due to Papal politics, plain and simple. I'm not making any excuses for Henry, but to lay everything at his feet is nonsense.

This video addresses common Roman Catholic misrepresentations with regard to Anglicans and divorce.

Henry VIII, Anglicans and Divorce - YouTube

Big fan of Maple Anglican.

 

[MKJ]

PV and I have crossed swords a few times - I rather enjoyed the experience. This forum would be pretty boring without a few lively debates!

Debating is not the same as trying to shut people down, or interpreting whatever they say negatively.

And discussion is not the same as a debate either, and that is another important distinction when we are talking about people who are not Anglican being involved in the discussions here.

 

[PaladinValer]

Debating is not the same as trying to shut people down, or interpreting whatever they say negatively.

Like people popping in here putting my province and even non-Anglican Communion provinces and churches down?

You bet I will raise my voice against such actions. And I will raise my voice to people who want to put down any church or communion that finds its home here in STR.

Did anyone else really raise their voice towards a certain poster who spoke nothing but venom and illogic towards the ACNA two months ago? I'm not even a member, and I disagree with its creation, and people know that, but I defended its right to be here because STR is its home.

And if I have to defend myself for defending my particular communion's and province's within it home forum, that's very troubling.

And discussion is not the same as a debate either, and that is another important distinction when we are talking about people who are not Anglican being involved in the discussions here.

Facts: 1) What he did wasn't even allowed, and 2) he knew [or boy I hope so in one way] he was wrong and was just being "reactionary" (where did I read that word recently?).

Also, if you have an issue with me, bring it to PM and not talk about people in open forums...please note point one under flaming and harassment. It qualifies here.

 

[twob4me]

~~~~~~~~~~~~MOD HAT ON!!~~~~~~~~~~~~

The thread has gotten a little Off Topic (OT). Instead of doing a clean up a Mod Hat is being placed to remind everyone to stay on topic. Stop responding to each other in a personal manor. In case you weren't aware, it does state this in the Flame rule:

Address the context of the post, not the poster.

You can find the Flame rule listed within the Christian Forums Rules / Terms of Service

If need be the thread can and will be closed permanently if this continues. Be respectful of other posters and their beliefs. You can respond to someone without Flaming them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~MOD HAT OFF!!~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[truthseeker32]

I grow tired of the polemical, erroneous attacks waged against religious groups. Claiming that the Anglican Church is merely the result of a king who wanted a divorce is akin to the claim that Catholics worship Mary and the pope. If all you have in your arsenal is one-liners from third rate apologists it is best to keep quiet.

I might have seriously considered the Anglican faith if there had been a good Anglican church nearby, but the closest Anglican church is 100 miles away and it is little different than the local Episcopalian parish. This for me is more of a concern than the communion's origins. Anglicanism seems to be a dying option, at least in the western U.S.

I think in the end all one can do is prayerfully discern the spirit of Christianity and the Christian tradition to find out if there is a denomination that fits one's findings.

Where would you Anglicans direct people who want to learn more about the faith?

 

[The Dark Knight]

Where would you Anglicans direct people who want to learn more about the faith?

A great question! What we pray, and how we worship, says the most about what we believe. So the first thing I would recommend would be the Book of Common Prayer. Not reading it cover-to-cover, but checking out the calendar, the liturgies for Eucharist and for daily prayer, and so forth.

This link has several BCPs which will give you a good sense of traditional Anglican thought & theology. This one has the American books, including the 1979 book which is the main text right now in the States. The 1928 one, which is also influential, can also be found there.

Project Canterbury has tons of Anglican theological documents. It's extremely helpful.

The Anglican Communion site and Anglicans Online (look for the lower left sidebar) are also outstanding sites. What Do Anglicans Believe from Anglicans Online is a good starting place too.

 

[Doctor Strangelove]

I'd place the founding date of the Church of England at or around 673 with the Council of Hertford, and Christianity had been present in England for several centuries before then.

But if the date of the final break with Rome is what you want, then that would be 1570, when Pope Pius V excommunicated Elizabeth, along with any of her subjects who refused to commit treason against her.

I would like to know of a good book that covers the history of the Church of England. Something that describes how the CofE moved away from the control of Rome over the years, and how this worked out through the Reformation years. A lot of books I have seen basically go into detail about Henry VIII and his doings, but I am looking for something much broader than that. I guess I am looking for a book that describes Christianity in England from the early years through the Reformation.

 

[Crandaddy]

I would like to know of a good book that covers the history of the Church of England. Something that describes how the CofE moved away from the control of Rome over the years, and how this worked out through the Reformation years. A lot of books I have seen basically go into detail about Henry VIII and his doings, but I am looking for something much broader than that. I guess I am looking for a book that describes Christianity in England from the early years through the Reformation.

Here's what you're looking for, Doc: A History of the Church in England

 

[Doctor Strangelove]

Here's what you're looking for, Doc: A History of the Church in England

Thanks! You have given me an excuse to add to my library. I have a pretty good grounding about the Reformation on the Continent but since going to an Anglican church I have found I have a lot to learn about how Christianity developed in England and England's unique situation during the Reformation.

 

[Crandaddy]

Thanks! You have given me an excuse to add to my library. I have a pretty good grounding about the Reformation on the Continent but since going to an Anglican church I have found I have a lot to learn about how Christianity developed in England and England's unique situation during the Reformation.

No problem, Doc. Glad I could help you out!