what is anglicanism?

[pjw]

what is anglicanism? i mean can a church just say it is anglican, or is there some doctrine or practice limiting which churches are within the anglican tradition of the catholic church? is it the bcp? is it apostolic succession within the anglican tradition? membership of the AC?

[EvAnglican]

what is anglicanism? i mean can a church just say it is anglican

It's slightly complicated, but generally, Anglican churches are either part of the Anglican Communion or recently were. For CF purposes, you are Anglican if you say you are.

or is there some doctrine or practice limiting which churches are within the anglican tradition of the catholic church?

There is a formula known as the Lambeth Quadrilateral that specifies the elements you need to be considered for membership of the Anglican Communion. Note that the LQ is referred to as an Instrument of Unity, even though it is often used by certain Anglicans as a way to divide Anglicans.

1. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the revealed Word of God.

2. The Nicene Creed as the sufficient statement of the Christian Faith.

3. The two Sacraments,--Baptism and the Supper of the Lord,--ministered with unfailing use of Christ's words of institution and of the elements ordained by Him.

4. The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the nations and peoples called of God into the unity of His Church.


is it the bcp?

Some have romantic notions of the BCP being the one great thing we all have in common, but the fact is that most provinces have their own version of this ancient prayerbook.

is it apostolic succession within the anglican tradition?

Perhaps - certainly the historic episcopate is one of the instruments of unity of the Anglican Communion, but the role of bishops and their succession has different importance to different Anglicans

membership of the AC?
Members of the Anglican Communion are Anglicans, but there are also some outside of the Anglican Communion who consider themselves to be Anglican.

[PaladinValer]

Actually, those are NOT the Four Instruments of Anglican Unity. The real ones are:

The Archbishop of Canterbury
Lambeth
The Primate's Meeting
The Anglican Consultative Council

The Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral is, indeed, doctrine, but it isn't among the Four. Notably, it could be argued that the BCP is also an Instrument, but again, it isn't among the numbered Four.

[AngCath]

the short answer is this: Anglicanism is first and foremost an ethos. it is an ethos that is manifested as a body of the Church not confined to one expression of love of God, but many intertwined. This expression is captured in the BCP in various ways reflecting ethnic diversity around the world. our uniformity is expressed in our communion with each other and desired inter-communion with everyone else.

I know, this is a rather idealist and lofty definition of Anglicanisn, but as many of you have picked up on, I tend to avoid legalistic definitiions.
If you want a thorough going study of what Anglicanis is, I recommend reading either or both of these: 1) The Study of Anglicansim - Sykes, ed. 2) Love's Redeeming Work - Rowell, ed.

[ContraMundum]

Anglicanism is the religious practice of the Church of England throughout history and churches who retain or hold that heritage are Anglican.

There is a sticky up there that relates to this.

[ContraMundum]

Members of the Anglican Communion are Anglicans, but there are also some outside of the Anglican Communion who consider themselves to be Anglican.

There are also churches "outside of the communion" that are considered Anglican by the Queen and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

[AngCath]

There are also churches "outside of the communion" that are considered Anglican by the Queen and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

could you post more information on this for those of us who aren't as familiar with this?

[ContraMundum]

could you post more information on this for those of us who aren't as familiar with this?

If I had a scanner I would.

The Queen through the office of the Governor General(s) in Australia and other countries has declared several continuing Anglican churches to be authentic. There's an article somewhere online about that.

Likewise, Dr Williams and many national Primates have declared some continuing Anglican Churches truly Anglican in "imparied communion", mainly because there is no barrier to communion for members of either to worship with the other church and often the same BCP's are used, the same bishops used etc.

There's an awful lot about this confusing scenario online if you do some searching. I'll sniff around a bit, but I tend to know only about my own little situation.

[AngCath]

Thanks for posting what you can and do. I appreciate it.

[ContraMundum]

Thanks for posting what you can and do. I appreciate it.

Thanks AngCath...it's so, so messy.

We have so many permeable boundaries. For example, the TAC is in full communion with FiF, which is in full communion with Canterbury. We have TAC bishops concecrated both by bishops in communion with Canterbury and TAC bishops. Canterbury Communion Anglicans are welcome at TAC altars, and vice versa. FiF priests often preach at TAC parishes and vice versa.

It's very messy, but I like it, actually. We all need to rethink how the future will take shape and I for one want permeable boundaries. I don't like the separation from Canterbury, but accept it as necessary at this point in time- just as the NonJuror's once had to distance themselves from the establishment. I believe and hope this separation is only temporary, and as most liberal bishops and their followers are over 55, the future looks good.

[PaladinValer]

FiF isn't a church, however.

[ContraMundum]

FiF isn't a church, however.

How such an obvious statement reflects on my post is lost to me.

FiF is within the Canterbury Communion. That IS my point.

As an aside.....(not to do with your comments)

I have always found it interesting that Anglicans desperately like to be acknowledged as being in the Catholic Church. This of course is true. However, they are in a state of severed communion with the majority of the other Catholic Churches. But the claim to being legitmate Catholics is held. This is no different to the same degree of legitimacy found in Continuing Churches. They are Anglicans with an impaired communion with other Anglicans. They still are visibly Anglican, have Anglican (and even Catholic) orders, have the same liturgy and practice that they have received from their ancestors. By such criteria alone they are Anglicans. Now, if they are "not Anglicans" because of their impaired communion with Canterbury then surely by the same reasoning other Anglicans cannot be Catholic because of their severed communion with other Catholics.

[Naomi4Christ]

FiF isn't a church, however.

Are you saying that the true word of God is not preached, nor the sacraments duly administered in FIF churches? Or are you saying that FIF is not a denomination in its own right?

[gtsecc]

Are you saying that the true word of God is not preached, nor the sacraments duly administered in FIF churches? Or are you saying that FIF is not a denomination in its own right?
He is saying something can be part of the Church, like the altar guild, but not BE the Church.

[karen freeinchristman]

Are you saying that the true word of God is not preached, nor the sacraments duly administered in FIF churches? Or are you saying that FIF is not a denomination in its own right?

FiF is not a denomination, but they are hoping to have their own province soon.


Certainly it is debatable whether they preach the 'true word of God', IMHO.

[Naomi4Christ]

FiF is not a denomination, but they are hoping to have their own province soon.

I agree, they are not a denomination, even with Alternative Episcopal Oversight.


Certainly it is debatable whether they preach the 'true word of God', IMHO.

We live in hope, and try not to judge. :)

But the Anglican definition of church is anywhere where the true (pure) word of God of preached and sacraments duly administered, so we should all have the grace to recognise that any given parish or district church, chaplaincy, or appropriate mission, is 'the church' in all its fullness.

[gtsecc]

Certainly it is debatable whether they preach the 'true word of God', IMHO.
I take that to mean you disagree with their stance on female ordination. However, I doubt you can show they don't preach the true word of God. - can you? :confused:

[karen freeinchristman]

I take that to mean you disagree with their stance on female ordination. However, I doubt you can show they don't preach the true word of God. - can you? :confused:

I simply said it was debatable. Actually, I don't want to debate it.

[AngCath]

I simply said it was debatable. Actually, I don't want to debate it.

I don't want you to either :thumbsup:

[PaladinValer]

Yeah; I'd say there are enough debates in STR for now.

[gtsecc]

If something as patently obvious and supported as evolution is "debated," I suppose it is no stretch that the 2,000 year history of the all male priesthood is too.
Just kidding -
;)

[AngCath]

Yeah; I'd say there are enough debates in STR for now.

I sometimes worry that this is our defining characteristic.

[PaladinValer]

No, I think is that we all kneel together to receive the Body and Blood despite the debates :)

[artrx]

No, I think is that we all kneel together to receive the Body and Blood despite the debates :)
:amen:

[higgs2]

No, I think is that we all kneel together to receive the Body and Blood despite the debates :)
:thumbsup: spot on

[CSMR]

2. The Nicene Creed as the sufficient statement of the Christian Faith.
Where did this notion come from? It seems highly dubious to me.

[higgs2]

Where did this notion come from? It seems highly dubious to me.

Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral :)

[Naomi4Christ]

Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral :)

The Lambeth Quadrilateral is about setting the minimum standards for accepting churches/provinces into the Anglican Communion. It's not the be-all and end-all of Anglican doctrine, and the faith goes well beyond it.

[higgs2]

The Lambeth Quadrilateral is about setting the minimum standards for accepting churches/provinces into the Anglican Communion. It's not the be-all and end-all of Anglican doctrine, and the faith goes well beyond it.
He *asked* where it *came from*. When did I say it was the be-all and end-all of Anglican Doctrine.

Not to mention that "sufficient" does not imply "be-all and end-all".

Look, is this disrespectful tone of yours because of the Velma thing? I saw how you voted in my poll. :mad:


^_^ ^_^ ^_^

[Naomi4Christ]

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[AngCath]

boy this thread is becoming quite emotional