Although not as well known as his Tudor sovereigns or as continental Reformers such as Erasmus, Luther, Calvin, or Loyola, Thomas Cranmer's role in the English Reformation and Anglicanism remains significant in Anglican history. He lived in a turbulent period when the medieval western church was breaking up into various movements and bodies. His life, ministry, liturgical work, theology, and death were part of this turbulence. He was an academic who became involved in the struggles of ecclesiastical and secular politics, and he had to tread carefully to survive as long as he did.
Unfortunately, Cranmer really believed that kings and princes were divinely appointed instruments for ruling the church. Such a view led him to many compromises, and, in his last days, Cranmer was confronted with the dilemma of choosing between loyalty to his Queen and loyalty to his understanding of Scripture and Christian faith. Under pressure, Cranmer hesitated about certain theological details, but in the end, he heroically died at the stake for his convictions on 21 March 1556.
Theologically, Cranmer appears to have passed through several phases. At different times, his views had affinities with Renaissance Catholic, Lutheran, and Swiss Reformed teachings. Nevertheless, there appears to be a consistent underlying historical and theological base in his thought. Cranmer believed that worship, doctrine, and church life should be reformed in light of Scripture and ancient Christian tradition. Despite some changing opinions, he passed on his loyalty to Scripture and catholic tradition through the Book of Common Prayer, the basic Anglican Catechism, drafts of Articles of Religion, and his personal influence on his Elizabethan successor, Matthew Parker.
What is Cranmer's theological legacy? It is threefold: loyalty to Scripture, respect for ancient catholic tradition, and rejection of some medieval Roman developments. Cranmer tried to follow Scripture and the ancient Church Fathers while rejecting universal papal authority, medieval theories of the Mass, indulgences, and the exaggerated cult of the saints. All of his private opinions have never been enshrined as official Anglican positions, but Cranmer did pass on a heritage for Anglicans. In his generally reformed and catholic principles, he was followed by Parker, Jewel, Hooker, Andrewes, the Caroline divines, and countless other Anglicans.
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