"Reformed Anglican" as a Brand
Anybody who reads this blog knows by now that I believe the expression "Reformed Anglican" refers to something very special. More than ever we need to work more on branding. If we don't protect our brand, we're going to lose it.
The fact is that the expression refers to a specific manifestation of the Reformation that was conceived in the reign of Edward VI (1547-53), born of the martyrdom of Ridley, Latimer and Cranmer (1553), grew in the rich soil of Geneva during the Marian exile (1553-58), and struggled to maintain its integrity against overwhelming forces of imperialists, papists, congregationalists, anabaptists and arminians up until the Synod of Dort (1618). The entire reference period lasted just 70 years.
The expression "Reformed Anglican" is being co-opted every day by Anglicans who are not. They can be wesleyans, ritualists, universalists, dispensationalists or theonomists. Sometimes they show their colors by combining the words "Reformed" and "Catholic", or "Ancient-Future", but many times they just use the non-descriptive words "evangelical" or "protestant."
They throw around talk of the 1662 BCP and the Articles, but when you dig deeper you soon find they are also teaching the cheap grace of the 1979 BCP, and sponsoring "Alpha" and "Emmaus" seminars (Roman Catholic). You discover their seeker evangelism, appealing not to the faithful response of a sinner to Christ's righteousness but rather to his need for pageantry or to feel spiritual and involved in helping God to save the world. If you query them about prelacy, sacraments, the principles of worship, or the Reformed confessions, it quickly becomes apparent that their use of the word "Reformed" is a mere illusion and their use of the word "Anglican" is anti-historical.
No, the expression "Reformed Anglican" is a brand that only a few are entitled to use.
The fact is that the expression refers to a specific manifestation of the Reformation that was conceived in the reign of Edward VI (1547-53), born of the martyrdom of Ridley, Latimer and Cranmer (1553), grew in the rich soil of Geneva during the Marian exile (1553-58), and struggled to maintain its integrity against overwhelming forces of imperialists, papists, congregationalists, anabaptists and arminians up until the Synod of Dort (1618). The entire reference period lasted just 70 years.
The expression "Reformed Anglican" is being co-opted every day by Anglicans who are not. They can be wesleyans, ritualists, universalists, dispensationalists or theonomists. Sometimes they show their colors by combining the words "Reformed" and "Catholic", or "Ancient-Future", but many times they just use the non-descriptive words "evangelical" or "protestant."
They throw around talk of the 1662 BCP and the Articles, but when you dig deeper you soon find they are also teaching the cheap grace of the 1979 BCP, and sponsoring "Alpha" and "Emmaus" seminars (Roman Catholic). You discover their seeker evangelism, appealing not to the faithful response of a sinner to Christ's righteousness but rather to his need for pageantry or to feel spiritual and involved in helping God to save the world. If you query them about prelacy, sacraments, the principles of worship, or the Reformed confessions, it quickly becomes apparent that their use of the word "Reformed" is a mere illusion and their use of the word "Anglican" is anti-historical.
No, the expression "Reformed Anglican" is a brand that only a few are entitled to use.
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