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, August 4, 2010

Westminster Confession, Anglicans, Saving Faith


Can the Westminster Confession of Faith be improved in any way? As it is, Ch.14, it's most excellent and warrants memorization, meditation and exposition. It's clearly superior to the XXXIX Articles.

Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch.14 (http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/):

"Of Saving Faith

I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls,[1] is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts,[2] and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word,[3] by which also,... and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.[4]

II. By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God Himself speaking therein;[5] and acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to the commands,[6] trembling at the threatenings,[7] and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come.[8] But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.[9]

III. This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong;[10] may often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory:[11] growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ,[12] who is both the author and finisher of our faith.[13]"

But while, at many places, the WCF is more excellent than the 39 Articles, nothing beats a good, classical, 1662 Prayer Book service where music also, alongside the liturgy, in the Cathedral and parish tradition, is viewed as theology, worship and piety. As Anglicans, we just don't throw out our goodly, Godly, and Biblical Prayer Book, despite rash imputations from Anabaptists, Revivalists, or some Puritans.

I strongly expect the Formula of Concord (F o C) to have some good sections on par with the WCF concerning "Saving Faith." In fact, I suspect--without checking again--that there are some "very superior" sections in the F o C.

A few recommended edits to the Westminster Confession of Faith "for the Presbyterians."

Add another sentence or two re: the comforts and joys of the Gospel. Recognize the joy, praise and thanksgiving in doctrine, worship and piety as evinced by Psalms 95 (Venite), 96, 98, 100 and so many other places. Also, add a few sentences about the great delight that the justified saints take in His Majesty's Word, Sacraments, and the Communion of the Saints. Buff it with the spirit of the Heidelberg Catechism and amplify Q/A 1 of the WSC, about "enjoying God."

"For the Anglicans," get hot and get on it! Grow up and learn to confess the Biblical faith!

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