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

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Schooling Un-Reformed Anglicans & Others: Teachable Moments in the Heidelberg Catechism, 6th Commandment

October 6, 2013

Schooling Un-Reformed Anglicans & Others: Teachable Moments in the Heidelberg Catechism, 6th Commandment.

Forthwith, before all ye present, be it known—hastily, forthwith, as of yesteryear—remove that “puerile thing” parading as a catechism" in the 1662, 1928, 1873 and the 1979 Books of Common Prayer.

Be it resolved: (1) that Un-Reformed Anglicans be ordered to grow up, (2) replace “that thing” with Reformed standards, (3) create a lectionary and read the Standards once per year. (4) Let the reading follow the Apostles Creed or Nicene Creed.

Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s day 40

40. Lord’s Day

Q. 105. What does God require in the sixth commandment?

A. That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonour, hate, wound, or kill my neighbour, by myself or by another: [a] but that I lay aside all desire of revenge: [b] also, that I hurt not myself, nor wilfully expose myself to any danger. [c] Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword, to prevent murder. [d]

Q. 106. But this commandment seems only to speak of murder?

A. In forbidding murder, God teaches us, that he abhors the causes thereof, such as envy, [a] hatred, [b] anger, [c] and desire of revenge; and that he accounts all these as murder. [d]

Q. 107. But is it enough that we do not kill any man in the manner mentioned above?

A. No: for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger, he commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves; [a] to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy, and all kindness, towards him, [b] and prevent his hurt as much as in us lies; [c] and that we do good, even to our enemies. [d]

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