Reformed Churchmen

We are Confessional Calvinists and a Prayer Book Church-people. In 2012, we remembered the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer; also, we remembered the 450th anniversary of John Jewel's sober, scholarly, and Reformed "An Apology of the Church of England." In 2013, we remembered the publication of the "Heidelberg Catechism" and the influence of Reformed theologians in England, including Heinrich Bullinger's Decades. For 2014: Tyndale's NT translation. For 2015, John Roger, Rowland Taylor and Bishop John Hooper's martyrdom, burned at the stakes. Books of the month. December 2014: Alan Jacob's "Book of Common Prayer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Common-Prayer-Biography-Religious/dp/0691154813/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417814005&sr=8-1&keywords=jacobs+book+of+common+prayer. January 2015: A.F. Pollard's "Thomas Cranmer and the English Reformation: 1489-1556" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-English-Reformation-1489-1556/dp/1592448658/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420055574&sr=8-1&keywords=A.F.+Pollard+Cranmer. February 2015: Jaspar Ridley's "Thomas Cranmer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-Jasper-Ridley/dp/0198212879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422892154&sr=8-1&keywords=jasper+ridley+cranmer&pebp=1422892151110&peasin=198212879

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Poll Update: 18 November 2009


Duncan thinks the ACNA should be Calvinistic?

3 “yes.” 8 “no.” About 37% to 73%. It is difficult with short questions to provide adequate definitions. We think as Dordtian Calvinists, as most Calvinists in the Reformed world do. The Amyraldian view of Calvinism, e.g. Sydney, is not Calvinism Confessionally defined. We think that Bob of Pittsburg believes in sola ad mixta and that Calvinism and Greek Orthodoxy are compatible. The Greeks disagree; their Confessional documents call Calvinism "abominable, impious and blasphemous." Or, Bob's view that Calvinism and Anglo-Catholicism are compatible. Or, again, that everybody should play go alonga and sola confusa. Calvinism, from what we’ve seen, is a sola non issua. The ACNA is a "half-baked" cake. The "half-baked" is a justifiable sobriquiet.

Duncan became a Calvinist during seminary days at General Seminary, NY?

1 “yes.” 7 “no.” 13% to 87%. We don’t have Bob’s transcript, but we’ll say this. Bob may have escaped the rampant liberalism of biblical vandalism while at General. The place is notoriously liberal. What solid Churchman would spent three cents or three years there? This itself testifies to the uter weakness of his pre-seminary days---then three years in a biblical ghetto of liberal Episcopalianism. We still have no doctrinal statements or developments from Bob or his associates re: liberal views of Scripture. His view of women’s ordination is a symptom of his deeper difficulties, e.g. sola cultura et sola moderna. Bob didn’t go to a good seminary. Who really knows what Bob believes, let alone Calvinism.Italic We feel fairly confident that Bob did NOT-repeat, did NOT--become a Calvinist at General. The "yes" voter is "out to lunch" on the question.
One does not go to General Seminary to become a Reformed or Calvinist Anglican.

Duncan believes predestination and that only the elect are the intended recipients of redemption?

2 “yes.” 4 “no.” 3 “who knows?” 22% said “yes.” Not a trick question, but we assumed “unconditional election,” something abhorrent to Anglo-Catholics and their Orthodox friends. About 65% said “no” or “who knows.” A large problem has emerged. Sola nighta and sola confusa. Given our own darkness about Bob's theology, any answer could apply. The "who knows?" voters are probably the most correct.

Duncan hopes Calvinists will not be too loud about it?

6 “yes.” 4 “no.” 60% to 40%. Either way, Bob doesn’t have to worry. The Calvinists believe in ad mixta, ad confusa, sola cultura, doctrinal go alonga and sola enthusiastica. He can look straight at the sola capitula of every bishop in the Reformed Episcopal Church, as well as AMiA Churchmen. Whatever Rev. (bp.) Roger's leanings once were, we hear no "principled statements" from him on Reformed Theology. Having known the REC bishops, no possible trust can exist for those who know them---NONE. Sola needa accepta by'a others. Will sell theology for it too.
The 40% voters are sensitive on the question. English Reformers were Calvinist. The 40%-ers hope Calvinism does NOT become an issue. No need to worry. Principled, biblical, theological and historical exegesis will not govern the discussions.

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