"The Lutheran and Reformed confessions almost entirely agree in their theology, christology, anthropology, soteriology, and eschatology, but they differ in the doctrines of divine decrees and the nature and efficacy of the sacraments, especially the mode of Christ's presence in the Lord's Supper."
Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, Vol. 1, 11.
Anglicans can sit this one out since this, confessionally, is far above their latitudinarian indifferentism and incompetence. They are incapable of institutional maturity, thanks to the leaders (hint, hint, the bishops and 99% of all weak presbyters). The 1979 and 1928 BCP a theology does not make. Nor good music either, although the 28 BCP and hymns transcend the theology of the "low churchmen" with "low theologies." The Great Reformation Confessions made substantial advances over the earlier Councils and Teachers, especially the ante-post Nicean teachers...far beyond the statism of the east and far beyond Tridentine errors. Mature adults "reassess" themselves. Not so with the Greeks, Papists and Anglican children.
4 comments:
Schaff is necessary for any Christian's Library. His research is impeccable.
Indeed, this is why I departed from Anglicanism after about ten years ago for Lutheranism. That being said, I also agree with Schaff and do read Reformed thinkers as well and am currently working through Ursinus' Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism.
Something I remember from my Anglican days is that as soon as most Anglicans get into deep theology, they invariably have to borrow from Geneva, Wittenberg, Rome, or Constantinople.
@Charles, yes, Schaff is good. Will work through him over next few months, including the 8-volume.
@Eric, alas, someone--and there are some othes, such as Charles above--who understands the difficulties of being an Anglican in exile. Looking seriously at a WELS congregation. I most certainly would join, but am Reformed--or Mercerbergish, Nevin--on the Table and do not want to make any difficulties for the pastor or the fine Catholics of the Reformation at that church.
Regards.
I have been doing some reading of Schaff & Nevin and there are some greatly appealing aspects of the Mercersburg Theology. Schaff's Principle of Protestantism did much to appeal to and repair my former Anglo-Catholicism.
Post a Comment