Reformation Anglicanism What? Treading Grain & TFOs?

I well remember when Reformed theology was all but a shriveled shrub in the very early 70s. No PCA, no RTS. I still remember the glossy brochures coming to the house announcing that Southern Presbyterian Elders had bought land for RTS, Jackson, MS. WTS existed in Phila. only not CA.  This scribe grew up on old school Princeton names and books.  The OPC was a micro-outfit.  Liberals held the northern and southern expressions of American Presbyterianism. There were no PCRTs, nothing. No internet either. TV was dominated by 3-4 stations. And poor Piper and Mac, two chaps claiming to be Reformed but ain't...John and John who? Now the Anabaptists rush to claim "Reformed" in their subcultures.  Then came Jim Boice of Tenth and RC in the 70s. Ligonier was a backwater in the hills of western PA. Well, now, now, a blossoming of Reformed theology in the nation. And RC tells me that Reformed theology has gone global.


Now, look at this. "Reformation Anglicanism." The term is picking up traction, as at Treading Grain, although we've been using it for a decade. 


Also, aside from the positive assertions, this article essentially dumps Bp. Jack "The Wild Ass" Iker in the swamp where he belongs. Let him depart and join the Continuuers.  (Don't like the term, "wild ass," see Jer. 2.24.  If it bothers you, you need to leave.  We're Marines here, not marsh-mellows.  Go on, leave.) That is, that TFO's (TFO = Tracto-friendly operatives) idiotic claim that Reformed and Reformation Anglicans had no or little interest in patristics.


That Ft.Worth ass said that at another ass's parish in Dallas, fundamentalist-TFO-Recon-Ray. (Jack's sermon is at: http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=18648#.UyNuncJOVjo)


You can tell I've been in the fight perhaps for too long.  I get combat-memories that make me mean.  But, as a Welsh proverb has it, "Anger is as good as courage in a fight."  Jaded. Not amused by the lies and games that get played. 


 Further, influenced by Jeremiah's repeated demand for truth, honor and integrity. 


 Jack the Wildass perpetuated a lie and false witness as a sinful bishop. Recon-Ray in Dallas, TX did nothing to correct the record. Nor that brayer in Philadelphia, VOL. We've been wiping the boots clean of them.

Now, lookee here. What do we have here?  But, first, a collect.

Almighty and ever-Living God, Three-in-One, we bow to Thy Majesty, sovereignty and glory in our insufferable arrogance but seeking Thy fear.  We come in gratitude. Humble us. Teach us to walk in Thy fear. Drive out, we beseech Thee, deceivers, false gospellers, and puffing hubrists. Guide us by Thy Truth, Thy Word. Give us courage.  Cause us to fear Thee and Thee alone.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.


Now, lookee here from Treading Grain. We'll give a portion of it.  The full article at:  http://treadinggrain.com/2014/diocese-of-the-carolinas-restoring-reformation-anglicanism/comment-page-1/#comment-23292


"What is Reformation Anglicanism?


"Perhaps the easiest way to describe Reformation Anglicanism is simply by defining the words. By “reformation,” we mean that expression of the Christian faith that arose in the 16^th century, commonly called the Protestant Reformation, which sought to reform the church according to the teaching of the Bible and the practice of the early church. By “Anglican,” we mean those Christian reforms that took place in England during the Protestant Reformation.


"There is of course more to be said and we hope to say much more in the future.  For now it may be useful to set forth a few boundary markers to help identify partners and shape future dialogue.


"Reformation Anglicanism is Gospel-centered


"Of the many things that could be said about the English Reformation, one aspect that is consistently overlooked is that it would not have been possible were it not for the experience of men and women receiving the good news of Jesus Christ in a personal and transformative way.  Take for example the experience of Thomas Bilney, who recounted his own conversion in the following words:

At the first reading (as I well remember), I chanced upon this sentence of St. Paul (O most sweet and comfortable sentence to my soul!):  ‘It is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be embraced, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief principle (1 Tim 1.15). 

This one sentence, through God’s instruction and inward working (which I did not then perceive), did so exhilarate my heart, being before wounded with the guilt, of my sins, and being almost in despair, that immediately I felt a marvelous comfort and quietness, insomuch ‘that my bruised bones leaped for joy’ (Psalm 51.8).

"Through what would eventually become one of Cranmer’s famous `comfortable words,' Bilney learned that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” and that meant that Christ Jesus came into the world to save men like him.  This good news, that Bilney found in the Scriptures is the Gospel, something that William Tyndale said “makes a man’s heart glad and makes him sing, dance, and leap for joy.”  The Gospel said Tyndale:

Is joyful tidings and, as some say, a good message declared by the apostles throughout all the world of Christ, the right David, who has fought with sin, with death, and the devil, and has overcome them. By this all men who were in bondage to sin, wounded with death and overcome by the devil are, without their own merit or deserving, loosed, justified, restored to life and saved. They are brought to liberty, and reconciled to the favor of God, and set at one with Him again.

"The scriptures teach us of Christ alone reconciling sinners to God by grace alone and not by works, for God’s glory alone and received simply by faith alone.  Reformation Anglicans are passionate about the Gospel not only because the Reformers were, but because we believe the Gospel still heals bruised bones, still makes the sad and sorrowful leap for joy, and still gives victory over sin, death, and the devil reconciling the child of God to himself and leading God’s people in liberty."


For the rest, see:
http://treadinggrain.com/2014/diocese-of-the-carolinas-restoring-reformation-anglicanism/


A good start, but the ACNA will never have the courage, conviction and cogent thinking to banish the Tractaphiles, Tractaholics, TFOs, Arminians and impious Laudians.  Wish it were otherwise, but am correct here.


'Tis true, that we are in great danger;
The greater therefore should our courage be."
Shakespeare, King Henry V, iv. 1, 1598


"Take her down."
CDR Howard H. Gilmore, USN, when mortally wounded on the deck of his ship.  The USS Growler, a submarine, during a surface action with a Japanese ship.  The Growler submerged and the Commander was lost.


"Everyone admires courage and the greenest garlands are for those who possess it."
John F. Kennedy, notes for Profiles in Courage, c. 1955.


ACNA lacks it.