In Part 3 of this series I talked about the diversity or catholicity found within Anglicanism. This catholicity is in part based upon their traditionalism, which is what I'd like to discuss today. Anglicans understand that being truly catholic--truly ecumenical--means being connected not only to the Church throughout the world, but also the Church throughout time.
The history of the Anglican Church is quite unique. It is undeniably a product of the Protestant Reformation, but England's Reformation was very complicated way. As Henry VIII's three children ascended to the throne in turn, their favored theological persuasions rose and fell with them. Edward was staunchly Reformed, while his older sister, Blood Mary, earned her nickname by persecuting those who opposed the Roman Catholic Church. Elizabeth, the young Virgin Queen, set the precedent for moderation that still defines Anglicanism today.
Long before the Tudors arrived on the scene, however, the Anglican Church had already developed its own personality. It was planted while the Romans were still occupying the island (tradition says the Gospel was brought there by Joseph of Arimathea) and became subject to the Pope with the arrival of St. Augustine of Canterbury. Through the centuries this isolated Church developed its own rich theological and liturgical tradition, drawing from all corners of Christianity. When Cranmer produced the Book of Common Prayer in the 16th Century, he sought to honor this rich heritage, while acknowledging the much-needed restoration provided by the Reformation. Anglicanism, at its best, is both Reformed and catholic.
Many people misunderstand what the Reformers were trying to accomplish. They were not revolutionaries seeking to overthrow the Church and start their own cults. They were trying to cleanse the catholic Church and restore her to the ancient ways. Unfortunately, many groups within the Reformed tradition have gradually lost sight of their spiritual heritage. Anything that looks Catholic or sounds Catholic is automatically rejected, regardless of the Biblical and/or historical arguments that may underlie it.
As my faith has deepened and my horizons have expanded, I have begun to yearn for a greater connection to the catholic Church. I believe that this is a component of the Faith that is lacking in much of Presbyterianism. Presbyterians may talk about being a part of the Universal Church, and they may occasionally reference Augustine or Athanasius, but their history of shunning all things Roman Catholic has led to disunity with the ancient Church. As I searched for this connection, I found myself drawn towards the traditionalism of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, but, as much as I envied their connection to and appreciation for the ancient Church, I simply could not overcome the theological differences. Anglicanism, I discovered, offers the best of both worlds. They have this connection with the ancient Church, but they also are Reformed, emphasizing the importance of the Word as the cornerstone of our faith and practice.
It's easy to talk about this connection to the ancient Church, but what does it actually look like in real life. How does this connection manifest itself? Well, one way is through the observance of the Church calendar, which is something that intrigued me long before I thought about attending an Anglican church. Observing the Church calendar encourages a holistic faith and reminds us that the Gospel shapes our daily lives. The Gospel defines time as we know it. Observing Christian holy days unites us to generations of Christians who did the same and acquaints us with our spiritual ancestors who would otherwise be forgotten.
Closely related to the Church calendar is the Lectionary. Utilizing this tool immerses us in Scripture, ensuring that we don't ignore large portions of Scripture that may not be palatable to our cultural sensibilities. It keeps us grounded on the Gospel message that runs throughout the Bible.
There are many other Christian traditions that can be beneficial. Reciting the creeds, especially the Nicene Creed, every week unites us to the catholic Church throughout the ages as we express our beliefs in the fundamental truths of the Christian Faith. The elements of various Eucharistic liturgies are grounded in Scripture and portray the drama of the Gospel. Crossing ourselves during prayer reminds us of the Trinitarian nature of our God and of our need for Christ's intercession. Many other examples could be listed.
There is a certainly a danger to Traditionalism. When we exalt Tradition to the place of Scripture, we dishonor God and harm our souls. Instead of being a tool, Tradition then becomes our master. This is, of course, a danger that is not exclusive to religion. Families, businesses, and individuals naturally develop traditions, or ways of doing things, that can be very beneficial or very harmful. Tradition has its place, but it must be kept in that place. We should cautiously respect the ideas and practices handed down by our spiritual ancestors, always examining them through the eyes of Scripture. If an individual tradition is useful, we should feel free to use it to build our faith. If it goes against Scripture or has become detrimental to our faith, we must reject it.
One of the primary dangers of Traditionalism is that our traditions can become rote. We often observe them without engaged hearts, mindlessly going through the motions. The possibility of misuse, however, should not discourage us from proper use. The fact that Scripture reading has become rote for some should certainly not keep us from reading our Bibles, right? That the Lord's Supper has been abused is not a warrant to eschew it, right? In the same way, the abuse of traditions is not a call to abandon them, but to be diligent in using them correctly. It is no accident that the book of Deuteronomy is full of reminders to remember. Moses, speaking for God, knew that human nature tends towards corruption and that the need for spiritual vigilance is neverending. Our natural tendency is towards performing rituals in a rote manner, so we must constantly fight to stay engaged with all of our minds, bodies, and hearts.
Another danger against which we must guard is using traditions to determine orthodoxy. We are not free to judge anyone by the traditions of men, regardless of how ancient or beneficial those traditions might be. If you don't want to celebrate Easter or Christmas, that's fine. You don't have to. If you want to get married at the court house instead of a church building, feel free. Every denomination has its own set of traditions, some more ancient than others, and you are free to ignore any of them that are not founded upon Scripture. You may want to examine your heart to make sure you're not being schismatic, rebelliously rejecting the traditions of the Christian Church just because you like to go against the grain, but I can't say that you're disobeying God by rejecting the traditions of men.
In Anglicanism I have found a wonderful balance between Traditionalism and Scripturalism. They honor the past without being enslaved to it. They strive to engage their hearts and minds while observing the traditions that have been handed down by the ancient Church. They study Church history while keeping an eye to the future and the unique cultural settings that exist in the modern Church. I'm sure abuses happen, but they seem to keep Tradition in its place.
In Anglicanism I have also discovered that being catholic doesn't mean being Catholic. It is possible to learn from and imitate the ancient Church without converting to Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. Anglicans cultivate an active connection to the pre-Reformation Church that many other Reformed traditions largely ignore.
The history of the Anglican Church is quite unique. It is undeniably a product of the Protestant Reformation, but England's Reformation was very complicated way. As Henry VIII's three children ascended to the throne in turn, their favored theological persuasions rose and fell with them. Edward was staunchly Reformed, while his older sister, Blood Mary, earned her nickname by persecuting those who opposed the Roman Catholic Church. Elizabeth, the young Virgin Queen, set the precedent for moderation that still defines Anglicanism today.
Long before the Tudors arrived on the scene, however, the Anglican Church had already developed its own personality. It was planted while the Romans were still occupying the island (tradition says the Gospel was brought there by Joseph of Arimathea) and became subject to the Pope with the arrival of St. Augustine of Canterbury. Through the centuries this isolated Church developed its own rich theological and liturgical tradition, drawing from all corners of Christianity. When Cranmer produced the Book of Common Prayer in the 16th Century, he sought to honor this rich heritage, while acknowledging the much-needed restoration provided by the Reformation. Anglicanism, at its best, is both Reformed and catholic.
Many people misunderstand what the Reformers were trying to accomplish. They were not revolutionaries seeking to overthrow the Church and start their own cults. They were trying to cleanse the catholic Church and restore her to the ancient ways. Unfortunately, many groups within the Reformed tradition have gradually lost sight of their spiritual heritage. Anything that looks Catholic or sounds Catholic is automatically rejected, regardless of the Biblical and/or historical arguments that may underlie it.
As my faith has deepened and my horizons have expanded, I have begun to yearn for a greater connection to the catholic Church. I believe that this is a component of the Faith that is lacking in much of Presbyterianism. Presbyterians may talk about being a part of the Universal Church, and they may occasionally reference Augustine or Athanasius, but their history of shunning all things Roman Catholic has led to disunity with the ancient Church. As I searched for this connection, I found myself drawn towards the traditionalism of Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, but, as much as I envied their connection to and appreciation for the ancient Church, I simply could not overcome the theological differences. Anglicanism, I discovered, offers the best of both worlds. They have this connection with the ancient Church, but they also are Reformed, emphasizing the importance of the Word as the cornerstone of our faith and practice.
It's easy to talk about this connection to the ancient Church, but what does it actually look like in real life. How does this connection manifest itself? Well, one way is through the observance of the Church calendar, which is something that intrigued me long before I thought about attending an Anglican church. Observing the Church calendar encourages a holistic faith and reminds us that the Gospel shapes our daily lives. The Gospel defines time as we know it. Observing Christian holy days unites us to generations of Christians who did the same and acquaints us with our spiritual ancestors who would otherwise be forgotten.
Closely related to the Church calendar is the Lectionary. Utilizing this tool immerses us in Scripture, ensuring that we don't ignore large portions of Scripture that may not be palatable to our cultural sensibilities. It keeps us grounded on the Gospel message that runs throughout the Bible.
There are many other Christian traditions that can be beneficial. Reciting the creeds, especially the Nicene Creed, every week unites us to the catholic Church throughout the ages as we express our beliefs in the fundamental truths of the Christian Faith. The elements of various Eucharistic liturgies are grounded in Scripture and portray the drama of the Gospel. Crossing ourselves during prayer reminds us of the Trinitarian nature of our God and of our need for Christ's intercession. Many other examples could be listed.
There is a certainly a danger to Traditionalism. When we exalt Tradition to the place of Scripture, we dishonor God and harm our souls. Instead of being a tool, Tradition then becomes our master. This is, of course, a danger that is not exclusive to religion. Families, businesses, and individuals naturally develop traditions, or ways of doing things, that can be very beneficial or very harmful. Tradition has its place, but it must be kept in that place. We should cautiously respect the ideas and practices handed down by our spiritual ancestors, always examining them through the eyes of Scripture. If an individual tradition is useful, we should feel free to use it to build our faith. If it goes against Scripture or has become detrimental to our faith, we must reject it.
One of the primary dangers of Traditionalism is that our traditions can become rote. We often observe them without engaged hearts, mindlessly going through the motions. The possibility of misuse, however, should not discourage us from proper use. The fact that Scripture reading has become rote for some should certainly not keep us from reading our Bibles, right? That the Lord's Supper has been abused is not a warrant to eschew it, right? In the same way, the abuse of traditions is not a call to abandon them, but to be diligent in using them correctly. It is no accident that the book of Deuteronomy is full of reminders to remember. Moses, speaking for God, knew that human nature tends towards corruption and that the need for spiritual vigilance is neverending. Our natural tendency is towards performing rituals in a rote manner, so we must constantly fight to stay engaged with all of our minds, bodies, and hearts.
Another danger against which we must guard is using traditions to determine orthodoxy. We are not free to judge anyone by the traditions of men, regardless of how ancient or beneficial those traditions might be. If you don't want to celebrate Easter or Christmas, that's fine. You don't have to. If you want to get married at the court house instead of a church building, feel free. Every denomination has its own set of traditions, some more ancient than others, and you are free to ignore any of them that are not founded upon Scripture. You may want to examine your heart to make sure you're not being schismatic, rebelliously rejecting the traditions of the Christian Church just because you like to go against the grain, but I can't say that you're disobeying God by rejecting the traditions of men.
In Anglicanism I have found a wonderful balance between Traditionalism and Scripturalism. They honor the past without being enslaved to it. They strive to engage their hearts and minds while observing the traditions that have been handed down by the ancient Church. They study Church history while keeping an eye to the future and the unique cultural settings that exist in the modern Church. I'm sure abuses happen, but they seem to keep Tradition in its place.
In Anglicanism I have also discovered that being catholic doesn't mean being Catholic. It is possible to learn from and imitate the ancient Church without converting to Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. Anglicans cultivate an active connection to the pre-Reformation Church that many other Reformed traditions largely ignore.
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