As we approach Pentecost and consider the descent of the Holy Spirit to establish and empower the Christian Church, I have been ruminating on the place of Anglicanism in the universal Church. Naturally, all groups of Christians like to promote their perspective. Some Christian traditions have a narrowly defined theological tradition, but Anglicanism tends to be different. Most Anglicans have had a broader outlook. Sometimes, such Anglican breadth may seem like a weakness, and sometimes, it may seem like a strength, but in either case, Anglican doctrine is not usually defined very narrowly. Historically at least, Anglican liturgy and Anglican polity have been easier to identify while Anglican doctrine has seemed less distinctive.
Anglican doctrine has covered a wide range, partly because of political, social, and religious factors in English history. The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion reflect some of these factors in the sixteenth century. Some points of the Articles are clear, but some are deliberately vague. In addition, many Anglicans have deliberately sought to be comprehensive for theological reasons. Thus, Bishop John Cosin (1594-1672) has often been quoted as saying that the Anglican Church is "Protestant and Reformed according to the principles of the ancient Catholic Church." Likewise, Archbishop Geoffrey Fisher (1887-1972) wrote that Anglicanism "has no peculiar thought, practice, creed or confession of its own. It has only the Catholic Faith of the ancient Catholic Church, as preserved in the Catholic Creeds and maintained in the Catholic and Apostolic constitution of Christ's Church from the beginning." In other words, Anglican theology is both Catholic and Protestant. It brings together and passes on the best from the whole experience of broadly orthodox Christianity.
So is there anything unique in Anglican theology? Yes, but upon reflection, it is not a specialized doctrinal system. It is rather in the blend. Like a fine tea or coffee, Anglicanism takes good things from the whole of Christian history and tradition- from the Apostles, the ancient Fathers, the medieval Church, and a variety of (but not all) modern movements in Christianity. Particular Anglicans may stress one aspect of the blend or another, but it is the blend that gives Anglicanism its unique flavor in doctrine as well as in liturgy and polity. Of course, there are limits. Scripture, ancient catholic tradition, and Reformation insights define certain core aspects of both doctrine and morality; everything is not permissible. Yet, the Anglican blend is a positive characteristic. It reflects the realities of Christian history and experience. It is a recognition that God has worked and still works in various and sundry ways.
