I noticed, this morning, on the side-bar to ‘Anglican Down Order’ weblog ( hosted by Dr.Peter Carrell, in Aotearoa/New Zealand) a reference to the following web-site, in turn hosted by a ‘Father Jonathan’, called ‘Conciliar Anglican’, which seems to be making a plea for a recognition of the 1662 Prayer Book and the Thirty-nine Articles, as the basis for what the writer wants to claim as quintessential ’ANGLICANISM’.
I really believe that Fr. Jonathan, whose website is quite impressive, is harking back to a time in Anglican history that – though undoubtedly formative – has had to give way to a new understanding of what a reformed and catholic Church in our day and age ought to be expected to embrace as its ongoing mission.
My response is below this web-link, that can be accessed to find Fr. Jonathan’s argument for a return to what one might call the ‘Good Old Days’ of the Church of England: The Conciliar Anglican
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Dear Father Jonathan.
Much as I liked your post, I really believe that ‘classical Anglicanism’, like ‘classical Roman Catholicism’, has had to die – in order to live: as part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ.
Much as I love the 1662 Mass – and am allowed to preside at its celebration on a fairly regular basis for early Sunday morning congregations – I no longer believe that it is the only way of offering the Eucharist in an Anglican context.
The 39 articles, though containing useful parameters for the ‘Faith, once delivered…’, are not necessarily the only way forward into the mysteries of our spiritual journey with Christ in the Gospel. We now have to apply Good Pope John XXIII’s principles of ‘semper reformanda’, that require an openness – under the guidance of the Holy Spirit – to new fields of mission, which today include the acceptance of women as co-heirs with men in the preaching of the Gospel and the leadership (ministry) of the Church.
There is also a desperate need to include in the mission all who are presently on the margins – including LGBTQ persons, whose sexual orientation is intrinsically different from what has long been perceived as the ‘norm’, the only way of being – absolute male or absolute female.
Scientific discovery, under God, is an ongoing task to which the Church – as well as the created order – is being called to understand. The Holy Spirit did not go to sleep after the writing of the scriptures – or the compilation of the 1662 Prayer Book, but is alive and active, ‘searching the Mind of God’ – waiting for the Church to respond to her call towards enlightenment.
Jesus once said this: “They will know you’re my disciples by your love”.
Father Ron smith, Christchurch, New Zealand
Just a note- Fr. Johnathan is, like me, an American, and in the US the standard modern liturgy is simply the latest (1979) revision of the _Book of Common Prayer_, which we have revised 3 times before now. So the question “do you use the book of Common Prayer” doesn’t mean “do you worship in Elizabethan English just like Jesus did” the way it does down under. It means “do you use an authorized liturgy or pattern of worship, or are you doing your own thing?”
Hello Whit. I’m not sure even Jesus was familiar with Elizabethan English, so that your reference to the question “do you use the Book of Common Prayer” has me baffled. I’m not sure if YOU are asking the question here referred to, but my answer is that my own experience of using the B.C.P – in New Zealand – is the 1662 version. I do also celebrate Mass according to the rites of the New Zealand Prayer Book, which contains a complete suite of worship forms – as well as Eucharistic Services. I admire your celibacy, but do question your rationale for adhering to it – but then, that’s your spiritual journey. God bless you!
The “just like Jesus did” bit in my hypothetical question was sarcasm, and I apologise for your confusion. I certainly do not think that Jesus spoke Elizabethan English, and I was gently mocking the tendency of many persons who are attached to the 1662 or 1928 BCP and/or the King James (Authorized) Version of the Bible to speak as if He did!
The second question was not directed at you, it was a hypothetical question a prospective parishioner ought to ask an Anglican priest before making a particular parish his or her home church. Of course, attending services for a month might answer the question without having to ask it explicitly. Sorry. If you thought it was so directed you must have thought my reply rather rude.
I have moved past my flirtation with a conservative position on homosexuality, and I am looking for a long term relationship. Sorry, my LJ is kind of out of date.
Congratulations, Whit. I’m glad you’ve realsed that God loves you as you are – without reserve.