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.