Closer to Lutherans or Calvinists?

[RileyG]

Are Anglicans closer to Lutherans or Calvinists theology?

 

[PloverWing]

Probably Lutheran, given the full communion agreements between Lutheran and Anglican bodies in the US and Europe (Called to Common Mission - Wikipedia, Porvoo Communion - Wikipedia). Lutherans and Anglicans share a liturgical and sacramental approach to worship and the Christian life.

Calvin's thought did have an influence on the English Reformation, and some present-day Anglican theologians are similarly influenced by Calvin. But you'll see more diversity there: Some Anglicans are closer to Catholic theology, other closer to Calvin, with still others taking different approaches.

 

[Shane R]

Yes. And No. The internal logic of Anglicanism is common prayer rather than common confession of faith. Whenever you think about Anglican doctrine you have to remember there is a spectrum that runs from Puritan to trad-Catholic LARPers. There is also a segment of heretics and agnostics who like the rituals of church. One might object that not all of these things can be Anglican but if you let people self identify you will get all of these things under an Anglican banner.

 

[atpollard]

Are Anglicans closer to Lutherans or Calvinists theology?

What is "Calvinist" Theology?

• A Presbyterian looks very different from a Particular Baptist which looks different from a Dutch Reformed or a Sovereign Grace Church (charismatic).

[In general, I would answer ... neither: Anglicans charted their own path, drawing from both and remaining similar to neither (except in the sense that all Christian Churches are similar).]

 

[Ain't Zwinglian]

Anglicans have a very broad based approach, some Lutheran, some Calvinist, some RCC.

F. E. Mayers findings concerning the Formal and Material Principles of Theology are as follows:

Anglicanism​

• Formal Principle in general—The Bible, the authority of the church, and reason.[11] Specifically, for individuals of different churchmanship:
• Low Church—the Bible as the only source and the all sufficient norm of religious truth.[11]
• High Church – "doctrinal authority rested successively in Christ, in the teaching church, in the Scriptures, and in the councils." This is called the consensus fidelium ("agreement of the faithful").[11]
• Broad Church—along with the Bible and the consensus fidelium is included "God's self-disclosure in the religious and moral development of the human race as a whole, in the religion of Israel, the person of Christ, and the life of His mystical body, the church."[11]
• Material Principle:
• Low Church – "the doctrine of God's grace which faith apprehends without the addition of human works."[11]
• High Church—the worship of the church and apostolic succession.[12]
• Broad Church—a life which conforms to the ethical teachings of Jesus.[13]

 

[RileyG]

Thanks everyone

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

As a member of a parish that is both Episcopalian Anglo-Catholic and ELCA Lutheran (possible due to the full communion agreement), we are definitely closer to Lutheran. In our case, the Anglo-Catholic part mainly means we prefer liturgical services, and have a good relationship with local Benedictine and Franciscan monasteries, not that we pay any attention to Rome so far as doctrine.

But some Anglicans are more Calvinist - that will vary depending on which Anglican denomination, and even which parish.