Anglican spirituality - Assignment Example

ANGLICAN SPIRITUALITY Word Count: 2592 Location INTRODUCTION Anglicanism is one of the directions of Christianity, which appeared in the course of the English Reformation. Anglican Church has a special historical relationship with the Church of England, or it is combined with it by common theology, divine service and church structure. Anglican Church considers itself both catholic and reformed. As a catholic, it considers itself as part of the global church of Christ an uninterrupted continuation of the apostolic and early medieval church. It is expressed through a commitment to the teachings of the Church Fathers, formalized in the Apostles, Nicene creeds and Athanasian Creed. Reformed Church of England to the extent in which it was formed under the influence of some doctrinal and institutional principles of the Protestant Reformation of the XVI century.1 More Protestant character of the Church of England is found in 39 articles Anglicanism, officially accepted as part of a religious reconciliation under Queen Elizabeth I. Order and liturgy of the Church of England, as manifested in the Book of Common Prayer, based on the pre-Reformation tradition, but were influenced by the liturgical and doctrinal principles of the Reformation. At the end of XIX - early XX century in England, there was quite a unique situation in the spiritual sense. In no country in the world, either before or after, there was no Christian denomination that would so consistently, so hard and so massively would sought to turn into another Christian denomination. THE EMERGENCE OF ANGLICANISM AND ITS SIMILARITY WITH OTHER FAITHS During the reign of Henry VIII, in England was made Reformation, pretext for which was refusal of the Pope to the king to resolve the divorce with his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. In response to the refusal of Pope, Henry VIII in 1534 issued the Act of Supremacy, by virtue of which the king was declared the head of the Church of England, and on the basis of which he independently issued his divorce through the British Parliament, bypassing sanctions of the Pope.2 Act of Supremacy confirmed the inviolability of all the Old Catholic doctrines and rituals; only head of the Church should have been changed - the place of the Pope in England took the king; episcopate was survived and became a pillar of absolutism. Thus, a new Church of England took a middle position between Catholicism and Protestantism. Anglicanism combines Catholic dogma of the saving power of the church with the Protestant doctrine of salvation by personal faith.3 A characteristic feature of the Church of England is its episcopal establishment, resembling Catholic one and claims to apostolic succession. In the area of dogmatics and ritual, the separation into two streams - the "high", gravitating towards Catholicism and the "low", Protestant dogmatics is noticeable. This feature allows the Anglican Church to enter into the ecumenical contacts with the Catholic Church, and with Protestant denominations. Early Anglican dogmatics was correlated with the dogmatics, which was modern to Protestant Reformation, but by the end of the XVI century, the preservation in Anglicanism of a plurality of traditional liturgical forms and the episcopate was considered totally unacceptable from the point of view of those, who stood on the more radical Protestant positions. Already in the first half of the XVII century, the Church of England and associated with it Episcopal Church in Ireland and the North American colonies came to be regarded by some Anglican theologians as a special and independent branch of Christianity that bears a compromise - "the middle way" between Protestantism and Catholicism. This view has gained a particular influence on all subsequent theory of Anglican identity. After the American Revolution, Anglican congregations in the United States and Canada were transformed into independent churches with their own bishops and church structures, which became the prototype for many newly formed churches during the expansion of the British Empire and for strengthen the missionary activities, churches in Africa, Australia and the Pacific region. In the XIX century, the term "Anglicanism" was introduced. It was intended to describe the general religious traditions of all these churches, and the Scottish Episcopal Church, which, although was formed from the Church of Scotland, came to be regarded as the Church, which shares the same identity. The degree of difference between the Protestant and Roman Catholic tendencies in Anglicanism remains a matter of debate, both within Anglican churches and in the Anglican Communion as a whole. A distinctive feature of Anglicanism is “The Book of Common Prayer”, which is a collection of prayers, which are the basis of worship throughout the ages. Although the book of public worship was repeatedly revised, and some Anglican churches have established other liturgical books, it is the one of the rods that holds together the Anglican community. There is no single "Anglican Church", which would have absolute jurisdiction over all of the Anglican churches, because each of them is an autocephalous, that is enjoys full autonomy. DOCTRINES, ON WHICH THE ANGLICANISM IS BASED Anglican doctrine is based on the Holy Scriptures and traditions of the Apostolic Church, the historic episcopate, the first four Ecumenical Councils and the teaching of the Church Fathers.4 Anglicans believe that in the Old and New Testaments everything necessary for salvation is contained and that they represent the law and the highest standard of faith. Anglicans believe that the Catholic and apostolic faith is disclosed in the Holy Scripture, the Catholic Creed and interprets it in the light of the Christian tradition of the historic Church, science, reason and experience. Anglicanism recognizes traditional sacraments, making, however, a special emphasis on the Holy Eucharist, also called Holy Communion, the Lords Supper, or Holy Mass. Communion occupies a central place in the Anglican liturgy, as a general offering of prayer and praise. In Holy Communion the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are proclaimed through prayer, reading the Bible, singing and adoption of bread and wine, as it was established at the Last Supper. At that time, when many Anglicans give the Eucharist equal importance as the Western Catholic tradition, there is a considerable freedom in the liturgical practices, and the style of worship varies from the simple to the a carefully elaborated one. TWO DIRECTIONS OF ANGLICANISM AND ITS PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC FEATURES As mentioned earlier, in the end of XVII - beginning of XVIII century Anglicanism took shape of two directions: "High Church", which insisted on the importance of church vestments, traditional church architecture and medieval music during worship services and "Low Church", the evangelical movement, which was aimed to minimize the role of the clergy, sacraments and rituals of the worship.5 For Anglicans of "High Church", doctrine was not established on the basis of the teaching role of the Church, was not derived from the theology of creator (as Lutheranism and Calvinism), was not generalized in a certain confession of faith (besides the Articles of Faith). For them, the earliest Anglican theological documents are prayer books, which are regarded as the result of a deep theological reflection, compromise and synthesis. They emphasize the “Book of Common Prayer” as the main expression of Anglican doctrine. The prayer books contain the basics of the Anglican doctrine: the Apostolic, Nicene creeds, and Athanasian Creed, Holy Scripture, sacraments, daily prayers, catechism, and the apostolic succession in the context of a three-stage hierarchy. Anglicans-evangelicals do more emphasis on The Thirty-Nine Articles of the Anglican faith, insisting on justification by faith alone, and their negative attitude toward the Roman Catholic Church. Anglicanism includes certain features of the compromise with Catholicism. Anglicans believe in the saving power of the church, though they consider that the main thing is personal faith. The idea of purgatory is not characteristic for Anglican doctrine, but some Anglicans admit the existence of something like that. However, there are features of Anglicanism and purely Protestant. In it, there is no cult of the Virgin Mary and the saints. However, from the bulk of Anglicans some communities were split off. In the XVI century occurred community, which called itself nonconformists, that is, those, who do not agree, or Puritans. They did not agree to accept even the smallest elements of Catholicism. They wanted a purely Protestant establishment, and refused to acknowledge the royal supremacy in the Church and bishops. As a result of these nonconformists, or Puritans formed their own community, which is called the Presbyterian Church. They do not have bishops, the presbyters only. THE INFLUENCE OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH ON THE ANGLICAN SPIRITUALITY After the elimination of the split caused by coronation of William of Orange, in the Anglican Church increased the Protestant (Lutheran and Calvinist) influence.6 The reaction against the predominance of these influences came in the 30-ies of the XIX century, when the so-called "Oxford Movement", the 100th anniversary of which was celebrated solemnly in 1933. This movement has revived among the English consciousness universality of the Church and paid their attention to the Orthodox East. Its members and associates became known as the "Anglo-Catholics". Thus, there were not homogeneity and stability in English Christianity. The British, on a national scale, were not able to stay at Protestantism, like other Germanic peoples, too great and significant was the spiritual heritage of the ancient English orthodoxy. The abruption of Catholicism was also very large. Understanding the instability of Anglicanism, some members of the church community started work having the ultimate goal of rapprochement and reunification with the Orthodox Church. The establishment in 1864 of the Association of the Eastern Churches was the first step in this direction. The immediate objective of the Association was to acquire accurate information about the Eastern Church with a claim on the fact that the Anglican Church would be recognized as part of the one Church. However, because of the futility of trying to reach agreement on doctrinal issues in the 70-ies of the XIX century Anglican official relations with the Orthodox Church on the question of connection ended. The fact of the emergence of such an organization in not Orthodox country is very significant. It is well known that interfaith relations have been always distinguished by special tension, even unto this day. In other words in order to appear in England could such an Association, it was needed deep and consistent interest in Orthodoxy by the appreciable part of the clergy, and the clergy, not only and not so much ordinary as located at sufficiently high levels of the hierarchy. Religion, as an area of spiritual culture, is one of the most direct manifestation of the spiritual and psychological constitution of the people, which can be called the spirit of the nation. In this case, it follows that a significant number of people in the Anglican country accepted the Orthodox faith as something quite appropriate to his spiritual dispensation. In no other country was not observed anything like that, therefore, this phenomenon cannot be attributed to the Christian foundations of culture, common to all European countries. COMMON FEATURES OF THE SPIRITUALITY OF THE ANGLECANISM AND OTHER FAITHS In Anglicanism, different beliefs are mixed: something is inherited from Catholics, something of the ancient undivided Church, something bears distinct character of Protestantism and the Orthodox Church. Unlike all other Protestants, Anglicans although not recognized priesthood as sacrament, but still until recently remained the episcopal order and the apostolic succession of the hierarchy. It is destroyed only in the XX century, when they entered the female priesthood. Anglicans rejected the indulgences and the doctrine of purgatory. Holy Scripture is recognized by them the only source of faith, but at the same time they accept three ancient symbols: Nicene, Athanasian (Athanasius of Alexandria) creeds and the so-called Apostles Creed. From Catholicism in Anglicanism the confession of procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son is remained, but they have no such pathos as the Catholics. By tradition, they use filioque, but at the same time, they do not insist on this doctrine, considering it private theological opinion. Besides, from Catholicism, Anglicanism got the service system itself. Worship of Anglicans largely dates back to the Catholic. The Eucharistic worship is certainly reminiscent of the Holly Mass, but it is served in English. From the English Protestants the recognition of only two sacraments – the Epiphany and the Eucharist are passed. Nevertheless, Anglicans are not so radical as the Lutherans or Calvinists. In their liturgical practice, the marriage and the priesthood, icons, and Extreme Unction are saved, but they do not call them the sacraments, using the terms "sacred rite" or "religious rite". Sometimes they are called "small mysteries." In the doctrine of the Eucharist worship, the transubstantiation is rejected, however, the presence of the Body and Blood of Christ is recognized. The sacrificial nature of the Eucharistic worship, praying to saints, and the veneration of relics and icons are also rejected. However, they do in less radically way, than Protestants, Lutherans or Calvinists. In the Anglican Church, it is possible to see the stained-glass windows, and images of saints, including those, which are close to the Orthodox icons. In the books, which were published by the Anglicans, there are many such stories, which is possible to call the "Lives of Saints." They do not pray to the saints as to the intercessors before God, but the worship of their memory, the reference to their lives and their feat is very common for Anglicans. Without worshiping the icons in the sense of requital of honor by the image of the prototype, they widely use religious painting. During the Anglican worship, such musical instruments as an organ or even an orchestra are often used. CONCLUSION Thereby, Anglicanism emerged on the basis of beliefs that had been already existed, and despite the fact that during its development, it acquired its own independent features, yet the basis of Anglicanism is already preexisting traditions and postulates. Furthermore, its spirituality is also an aggregate of other faiths. For the Anglican Church clearly expressed traits of the Catholic Church, Protestantism, Calvinism, Lutheranism and even the Orthodox Church are inherent. As it was mentioned above, the impact of these beliefs can be traced in the traditions of the Anglican churches, its church structure, beliefs, worship and main positions of creed. All these facts allow to state that it is possible to agree with the statement “Anglicans do not have a spirituality of their own. They simply borrow from other traditions”. References "What it means to be an Anglican". Church of England. Available from: https://www.churchofengland.org/our-faith/being-an-anglican.aspx. [29 November 2015]. Bays, P., Hancock, C. 2012. This Anglican Church of Ours, Canada: Wood Lake Publishing Ink. Knox, D. 1967. Thirty-Nine Articles: the Historic Basis of the Anglican Faith, Sydney: Anglican Church League. Available from: http://equip.org.my/student/doctrine3/knox-39-a.pdf. [29 November 2015]. MacCulloch, D. 1996. Thomas Cranmer: A Life, Yale: University Press. Pahls, Jr., B. 2005. An Anglican Understanding of the Theology and Practice of Sanctification in the Thought of Charles Chapman Grafton Second Bishop of Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin: Nashotan. Available from: http://anglicanhistory.org/grafton/pahls2005.pdf. [29 November 2015]. Read More