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

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Epiphany, Lent 2012: Lections

A weighty reminder for those of grace-initiated and grace-developed discernment:  the OT and NT lections from the 1662 BCP, aside from the Psalms twice in February and Mark, are:

  • Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy from the Old Testament
  • Matthew, Mark and half of Luke
  • Acts, Romans and I Corinthians from the New Testament. 

The august and discerning schedule and book is suffused with the Bible beyond the rank-and-file offerings in American churches.

During the readings, one needs to read the books themselves, discover themes, characters, characteristics, motifs, symbols, dates, issues of authorship, an integration with the narratives of the entire Bible, as well as applications for individuals, families, Churches and even nations.  No small task.


Epiphany continues to expand on Advent and Christmas themes as we move to Lent and Easter themes, God's attributes, the fall and total depravity, Christ's life, the Cross, death, atonement and passion.  A rich and heavy set of readings in February and March coordinated with discerning prayers. 

Since all good counsels, all good thoughts, all good motions, all fruitful labours, and all  good works arise from His Majesty's kindness, may His Merciful Majesty inform and sustain our meditations for our sakes, the sake of the Church, and the next generations---all of which, from the Bible, serve to instruct, rebuke, correct and make mature unto righteousnes (2 Tim. 3.15-16)

No comments: