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, August 6, 2011

Getting Oriented to Bible Reading and the Liturgical Calendar


Observations for Beginners in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer (BCP): 
Getting Oriented to Bible Reading and the Liturgical Calendar
1.      These are prelimary notes on the “Liturgical Calendar” of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. 
(a)   This is designed for those unfamiliar with the Book of Common Prayer.

(b)  It is also for established Churchmen, Reformed or Lutheran, with little to no experience in the book.

(c)   But, especially, this is for unbelievers and new believers in Christ.  It is for  explorers and seekers.

(d)  It is designed to reform anaBaptists, Baptacostals and other Enthusiasts and argue for order, discipline, decency and decorum in doctrine, worship and piety. 

2.      http://www.eskimo.com/~lhowell/bcp1662/info/calendar.html will show you the “Liturgical Calendar.  A few observations.

(a)   First, there is the issue of “the seasons” (seen on the list).  We bypass that. We’ll explain the “seasonal” element later.  See the top section.   Notice the “months” at the top.  Select “August.”  We recommend printing it.

(b)   Notice a few things.  Hit one of the “months” at the top.

(c)   After bringing up August,  note that the readings have a “First Lesson” and “Second Lesson.”  There are two Bible readings for “Morning Prayer” and “Evening Prayer.”

(d)  Observe that monthly readings are also gauged “by day.”  See the days on the left. Every day, morning and evening, has a reading.   Faithful Anglican Churchmen are Bible readers.  Above all other things, we are "Bible people," nothwithstanding current laxities.  Just for "August" lections, you will see that Ecclesiastes, all of Jeremiah, the early part of Ezekiel, Matthew's Gospel, and the early part of Mark's Gospel are directed.  Atop that, of course, the prescribed reading or singing of 150 Psalms.  Whatever your station, you will observe that Bible reading is essential in ordered, disciplined and faithful Anglicanism.  

(e)  The readings are sequential, that is, one proceeds through the books of the Bible.  Occasionally, an interruption of the sequential reading occurs.  Do not worry.  Notice in the calendar such days as:  Transfiguration, Valentine, St. Augustine, etc.  These are keyed to varied Churchmen and Churchwomen that are posted. These occasional interruptions occur—as memorials—throughout the year.  Nevertheless,  sequential Bible readings dominate.   If followed, you will read the Old Testament once and the New Testament twice.  If clerics preach the lections, one will receive a comprehensive summary and overview of the Bible.
3.      We recommend buying a hardcopy version.  If you have the hard copy BCP, the Calendar is found on pp. 14-26.  http://www.amazon.com/Book-Common-Prayer/dp/0191306010/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312055154&sr=8-1  

4.      Rebuttals:

(a)   “Isn’t this `a cook bookish recipe’ of sorts?” 

 The question is slightly prejudicial.  Yes, like any good cook book or as a professional chef might suggest, there are "ordered and directed" elements required for a good meal.  Fortunately, “order” is required for jets landing in airports. This calendar is an “order” or “directory” for individuals and for congregations.  In context, Cranmer’s “Calendar” sought direction, education and “salvation”(by Biblical knowledge and saving faith—assentia, voluntia, fiducia) for an ignorant nation.  This Calendar brings like-minded Churches to a common mind, ensuring that all are on the same sheet of music.

(b)  “Look, I belong to a Confessionally Reformed Church.  We have catechetical lectures at night oriented to the Heidelberg Catechism.  We get solid doctrinal instruction from that, satisfying the claim to teaching the Bible.” 

The rebuttal is solid in part, but not the whole  The rebuttal it does not answer the intent—wide, congregational Biblical reading.  (Again, do not judge Anglicanism by the lax British or American standards.  We speak of faithful Anglicanism here, not the liberal sort.)  We believe that a mid-week service with Evening Prayer would be suitable with the Reformed model of weekly “Catechetical” instruction from the Heidelberg Catechism.

(c)  “Look, I belong to an American Presbyterian Church and we don’t recognize a `liturgical calendar.’”

We know.  That’s your problem. You suffer from whatever whim, hobby horse, or predilection your Pastor and Elders desire.  On the liturgical model, you will get FAR MORE Biblical instruction.

(d) “Look, I belong to an anaBaptist (Baptacostal, Pentecostal) Church and we loathe all the order and constraint.” 

We are aware of this.  And, how is that working for you?  How's it working more widely?  All the disorder, chaos and widespread doctrinal and biblical illiteracy?  All the worst doctrines in our time arises in their quarters, e.g. Benny Hinn's assertion that there are 9 Persons in the Trinity.  And the subjection to the whims of the Pastor and worship leaders, willy nilly?   

And, since you loathe order and direction, what do you think of the “order of college courses” you might find in a college catalogue?  Where choices are made for you?   Or, the right “order” of medical protocols that are established for patients undergoing surgery?  Want that suspended too?  Or, what shall we say to ordered "traffic patterns, laws, and enforcement" in our 50 states of statutory codes?

Conclusion: 

There are excellent reasons for congregational and private direction and order in the reading and instruction of the Bible.   If anything, we need again liturgical churches with robust Bible-readers and Rectors who will “preach the whole counsel of God” across both Testaments, itself, a hefty challenge. 

If one looks at just August, itself, the lections are Ecclesiastes,  Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Matthew and the early part of Mark.  One should read these books along with Morning and Evening Prayer.  Then, one should attempt to summarize the argument, its context, and applications.  Again, disciplined and faithful Anglicanism is not for the faint of heart, the in-disciplined, or those seeking “ease in Zion.”  Let Anglican clerics assist by setting the pace by exposition of vast tracts of the Bible, year in and year out. 

Again, our purpose is, principally, to help those getting acquainted with the Prayer Book.  It is also evangelical in this sense, to wit:  if a seeker and interested, this affords a good and disciplined approach to learning the Christian faith upon which to make an informed decision of committment to the saving and Triune God. As Dad would say, "Read alot, speak little, ponder much, and never get angry."  For novices, read and read again. In that committment, we older folks continue the reading to which you are invited.

4 comments:

stranger.strange.land said...

Thank you so much for posting this, Philip. I don't know if you remember any of my past email communications with you, but I have developed an affinity for the traditional (Reformed) Episcopal and C of E. It started when I was retrieving some things from my father's house after his death, and discovered the BCP (certified in 1907)in a box in a cupboard.(as near as I can figure out, it is a 1789 edition) What a treasure; it is just full of the Gospel.

The White Horse Inn has also had some informative programs about the Church Calendar. (Thanks to Mike Horton)

We Reformed and Presbyterian types would do well to at least read through the BCP and pray the prayers. I love the Coverdale Psalms.

In Christ's care,

Craig Boyd

Reformation said...

Thanks Boyd for the comments.

As to the 1907 certified version, my suspicion, if an American version, would be that it's an 1892BCP. But you'd have to check.

I'll need to check on Mike Horton and the church calender.

Best regards,
Philip

Emilia Falwell said...

I "stumbled across" this when I went searching for some guided Bible reading. As a member of a Wesleyan/Arminian denomination, I have come to appreciate the expressions of spontaneous and sincere hearts... and I see how easily we have overtaken the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives through the unchanging truth of His Word. I crave the order and discipline of which you speak. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. I do have one question, however. Do you find it necessary to read every verse of Scripture? If not, why not and if so, why?

Reformation said...

Yes, reading the entire Bible, 66 canonical books, is the goal of the liturgical calendar. These books are the Vox Dei and Verbum Dei.