Episode 5

Andrew and Jesse continue to read and discuss a classic essay on the character of Anglican theology.

The Spirit of Anglicanism is an essay by Paul Elmer More which appears in the volume Anglicanism: the thought and practice of the Church of England, of which More was co-editor. This volume is a compilation of excerpts from original works from a variety of 17th Century Anglican divines. More’s essay provides a sort of guide to the logic behind the composition of the volume and also provides More’s own interpretation of Anglicanism itself and especially the importance of the 17th century.

Although Anglicanism is currently out of print (again), you can find a digital copy online here, and paper copies can usually be found online too.

NOTES:

• This is what C. S. Lewis said about the nature of doctrine in Roman Catholicism:

“the real reason why I cannot be in communion with you is not my disagreement with this or that Roman doctrine, but that to accept your Church means, not to accept a given body of doctrine, but to accept in advance any doctrine your Church hereafter produces. It is like being asked to agree not only to what a man has said but to what he’s going to say….To us the terrible thing about Rome is the recklessness (as we hold) with which she has added to the depositum fidei [deposit of fiath]—the tropical fertility, the proliferation, of credenda [what must be believed]….[W]e see in Rome the Faith smothered in a jungle.”

• Here is a link to the “Museum of Idolatry” that Jesse mentions.
• The Homily on the Salvation of Mankind (aka the “Homily of Justification”) that Andrew talks about.
• XI. Of the Justification of Man (from the 39 Articles of Religion).We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith only, is a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.
• XX. Of the Authority of the Church (from the 39 Articles of Religion).The Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies, and authority in Controversies of Faith: and yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain anything that is contrary to God’s Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore, although the Church be a witness and a keeper of Holy Writ, yet, as it ought not to decree any thing against the same, so besides the same ought not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of Salvation.
• Learn more about the Richard Hooker modernization project headed by Bradford Littlejohn here.