Curious About Anglicanism?

What is “Anglican”? What does “Anglican” mean?

The word “Anglican” simply means “English.” Anglican churches around the world trace their heritage back to the Church of/in England. To learn more, learn more about what “Anglican” means.

What is “Anglicanism”?

Anglicanism is most simply defined as “Reformed Catholicism.” The Reformed part means that we rejected the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church at the time of the Protestant Reformation. These include the invocation of the saints for their merits, purgatory, and idolatry. There was an emphasis on embracing the Holy Scriptures over that of tradition and the role of faith rather than works. Yet, we did not desire to do away with what was truly “Catholic.” Our worship remains liturgical through the use of the timeless Book of Common Prayer, with the regular celebration of Holy Communion and the Daily Offices. We also remained a creedal church, confessing the faith of the Apostles, Nicene, and Athansasian Creeds. We maintained the early church government of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons. There is a major emphasis on looking back to the faith of the undivided Church to disciple us and future generations.   

Finally, the “Anglican” part refers to our ancient history as the church that has been continually in England (and the British Isles) since no later than the 2nd century. At times this church has been isolated and independent, at other times under the Roman Catholic Church, and now reformed through the Protestant Reformation. Still, we see ourselves as a branch of Christ’s One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Ultimately, this is precisely what Anglicanism is—we are mere Christians—a communion under the Lordship of the Triune God. 

When was the Anglican Church founded?

In an important sense, the Anglican Christian tradition began when Christianity first reached the British Isles in the 1st–3rd centuries. Three British bishops were present at the Council of Arles in 314. The first Archbishop of Canterbury, Augustine, arrived in Kent in 597. However, in an equally important sense, Anglicanism began when the Church of England emerged as a distinct entity (from the Roman Catholic Church) in 1534 when King Henry VIII officially denied that the Pope had authority over the Church in England. While it is true that Henry VIII’s desire for the nullification of his marriage had something to do with this decision, there were also powerful nationalistic and reformational currents in play. Another important Anglican founding figure is Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1533 to 1556 and architect of the first two Books of Common Prayer in 1549 and 1552.

Are Anglicans Protestant?

Yes. The Anglican tradition undoubtedly includes the 16th-century English Reformation and a break with the Roman Catholic Church. However, Anglicanism is a “reformed catholic” tradition because it seeks to preserve the best insights of the Protestant Reformation while not throwing out the vast riches of the catholic (“universal”) Church’s tradition (such as bishops, priests, and deacons; liturgy; sacraments; the Church calendar; etc.).

What’s the difference between Anglican and Catholic?

There are structural differences between Anglicanism and Roman Catholicism because there was a clear break between the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church during the 16th-century English Reformation. The Anglican Church has no Pope of its own, and it does not submit to the authority of the Roman Catholic Pope (although his authority is acknowledged as the Bishop of Rome). There are no Anglican Cardinals, either, although there are Anglican archbishops, bishops, priests, and deacons. There are also important theological differences between Anglicans and Roman Catholics, although the extent of these differences will depend on how Reformed vs. “Anglo-Catholic” a particular Anglican is. Although they value Church tradition and the authority of the Church, Anglicans clearly subordinate the authority of the Church to the authority of Scripture. Furthermore, regarding transubstantiation, the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion claim that it “cannot be proved by Holy Writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions” (Article 28). And Article 22 states that “The Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory, Pardons, Worshipping, and Adoration, as well of Images as of Relics, and also Invocation of Saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God.”Can Anglican priests marry Yes, they can! As Article 32 of the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion puts it, “Bishops, priests, and deacons are not commanded by God’s law, either to vow the estate of single life or to abstain from marriage; therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christian men, to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve better to godliness.” To learn more, read a blog post on whether or not Anglican priests can get married.

How is Someone Saved? 

We believe that salvation comes only through the free gift of our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and was raised for our justification. We believe that salvation comes by faith alone, not by works, but that Jesus normally uses the sacrament of Holy Baptism to unite us to the mystical body of Christ. The sacraments are not works but part of the work of grace that Jesus does to us. We are also called to live lives of repentance and continued faith and to be stirred to good works because of the Holy Spirit working in us. Simply, Jesus does it all, but the New Testament does require us to respond to his grace with repentance of our sins and faith in him.

What is Episcopal? 

Episcopal means that the church has bishops. The Greek word Episcopos is where it is derived from. In the New Testament, Bishops were those who shepherded the congregations and especially the priests and deacons. They ordained and gave direction and commandments for the governing of the Church. Essentially, Bishops carry on the leadership roles of the Apostles, making sure the local churches and ministers keep the faith and practice of the whole church. Bishops ordain men to Gospel ministry, guide diocese made up of local churches, and provide pastoral care and education for the clergy under their care. 

Are Anglicans Protestant or Catholic? 

Both. Anglicans existed before the Reformation and continue to this very day. One of our most important bishops wrote that the Anglican Church is: "Protestant and Reformed according to the principles of the ancient Catholic Church." Thus, we strive to be Catholics in the sense that we follow the primitive ways of the ancient Church, but we are Protestant in that we reject the abuses and corruptions of the medieval Papal church. For instance, In Anglicanism, we celebrate Christmas and Holy Week with beautiful liturgical celebrations of Holy Communion, like Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians. Yet, we believe in many of the reformation distinctives when it comes to dogma. At the end of the day, we strive to be mere Christians. 

Who can receive Holy Communion? 

All baptized Christians are cordially invited to the Lord’s Table. If you are able to receive the Lord’s Supper in your home church, then you are welcome to do the same at ours! If you are not ready or your Church has obligations where you can only receive Communion there, then feel free to abstain - you are not obligated to receive Holy Communion. We do invite all who are not receiving Holy Communion to come down with the people and cross their arms over their chest to receive a blessing if they desire it instead.