Anglican Identity: The Catholic Heritage of Anglican Christianity

 Earlier this week, I posted a reflection on Reformation influences on Anglicanism. Now, let us turn to the Catholic heritage of Anglican Christianity. While some interpreters have downplayed ways in which the Protestant Reformation has affected Anglican belief and practice, others have downplayed or ignored the catholic aspects of Anglicanism. The Anglican heritage is distinctive, and it is not merely another strain of 16th-century or modern Protestantism.

The same considerations of English and Anglican history that show Reformation influences also show efforts in the English Church to maintain and continue Catholic tradition. This catholicity manifests itself in various aspects of Anglican belief and practice. Here is a list of several characteristics.

1. Scripture is interpreted through Christian tradition.  While Anglican teachers have affirmed the primacy of Scripture, they have also tried to interpret the Bible in ways compatible with the early church fathers, the ancient councils, the ecumenical Creeds, and the core beliefs affirmed by Christians in all places and times.

2. Anglicans have maintained liturgical worship and prayer. The Prayer Book tradition is rooted in Western Church history with some influences from the Eastern Church. Anglican Offices, Sacraments, and particular prayers are mostly derived from ancient sources. Anglican calendars are based on historic Roman and Western European patterns.

3. While influenced by the 16th-century emphasis on the read and preached Word, Anglican worship has remained sacramental. Although there have been differing explanations of how the Sacraments work, Anglicans have viewed Baptism and Holy Communion/Eucharist as real means of Christ's saving and strengthening grace. And despite some differing terminology and views of their importance, the five so-called lesser sacraments have continued among Anglicans.

4. Orthodox Anglicans have maintained the historic male orders of ordained ministry: bishop, priest, and deacon. At times, this has been challenging, especially maintaining the apostolic episcopate. During the Reformation, the English Civil War, the spread of Anglicanism around the world, and the rise of liberalism/modernism, it would have been easier to adapt other forms of ministry (as some Christians have done). Nevertheless, many dedicated Anglicans have striven to maintain the ancient catholic orders of ministry.

Through these four key characteristics (and perhaps some others), orthodox Anglicanism has continued to be Catholic. The Reformation influences in our history have not destroyed catholicity. We are not bound by Lutheran, Reformed, or contemporary Protestant theologies. The core of the ancient faith can still be found among many Anglicans. Ignoring this aspect of Anglican history is spiritually dangerous. For Anglicans to be true to our identity, we should honor and maintain our basic Catholic heritage.