Theology

Anglicanism has no central creed, such as the Augsburg Confession (Lutheran), Westminster Catechism (Reformed), or Summa Theologiae (Roman Catholic).  Instead, we have a Book of Common Prayer, which includes the very general “Outline of the Faith, or Catechism.”

It has been said that “Anglicanism has shaped Anglican theology more than Anglican theology has shaped Anglicanism.”

• Lex orandi lex credendi – the way we pray determines the way we believe
• The Book of Common Prayer (1549) was the first example of “prayed theology”

Development

Early “liturgical texts” recommended some form of common liturgy, although they were too diverse and incomplete (no marriage or burial rites, for instance) to be considered true “prayer books” –  Didache (earlier than some of the NT texts)) codified prayers for use at the Eucharist and other forms of worship, Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus (early 3^rd century), Sacramentary of Serapion (Egyptian document from the middle 4^th century included all words spoken at a sacrament), Apostolic Constitutions (late 4^th century)tract from Asia Minor that included the Didache, Leonine Sacramentary (6^th century); profound revision of the Roman rite

Sacramentaries were insufficient to conduct a service (still needed book of epistles/gospels, choir chants, directions) (still needed book of epistles/gospels, choir chants, directions), so in the 9^th century the Missal came into play, and by the 13^th century it had replaced the sacramentaries. Various other books also came to be used:

• Breviary – so as to say the liturgy of the hours
• Manual – liturgies for special occasions
• Pontifical – for episcopal rites
• Pie – directions for all the rites

Practicalities

We still have accompanying books –

• Hymnal
• Book of Occasional Services
• Lesser Feasts and Fasts
• Service Book and Gospel Book

Components of The Book of Common Prayer (1979) –

• The Daily Office – Morning and Evening Prayer; Noonday Prayer; Compline
• The Great Litany – a general intercession to be used before the procession at the Eucharist
• The Collects (Traditional and Contemporary)
• Proper Liturgies for Special Occasions – Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Great Vigil of Easter
• Holy Baptism
• The Holy Eucharist – including Penitential Orders
• Pastoral Offices – Confirmation, Marriage, Reconciliation, Ministration to the Sick, Burial
• Episcopal Services – Ordinations, Consecrations
• The Psalms
• Prayers and Thanksgivings
• An Outline of the Faith
• Historical Documents of the Church – Athanasian Creed, Articles of Religion, Lambeth Quadrilateral
• The Lectionary

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