Discovering my Anglican heritage - part II .... in the midst of this naughty world....

Having read the BCP, I became quite excited by the 39 Articles (seriously) - but, I still had some questions on individual articles.
A very helpful friend (with a most enormous library which I don't covet at all, no, not at all..... ahem) has kindly lent me "The Principles of Theology" by W.H.Griffith Thomas (with Intro by J.I.Packer) to help resolve some of the questions.
So - here goes

XVI. Of Sin after Baptism.
* What is 'deadly sin'?
* What does it mean to 'depart from grace given'?
TPoT notes 2 errors widespread at the Reformation -
a) that great sins after Baptism could not be forgiven (3rd century idea); and on the other hand
b) it was absolutely impossible for the regenerate to sin
"The phrase 'deadly sin' both here and in the Litany means a sin distinct from ordinary wrongdoing, wilful rather than ignorant, serious rather than light".

XXIII. Of Ministering in the Congregation.
* Questions would be - a) what is publick preaching? and b) what is lawfully called?
TPoT notes:
- Article probably directed against the Anabaptists who denied any public authority and recognition of ministry, urging that anyone could become a minister since Divine illumination was sufficient.
- Argues that commissioning of ministry has Biblical precedent - cf. Acts 6vv1-6, Acts 14:23, Titus 1v5 and that Acts 6v3 shows that proof of ministry is recognised by the existing body of believers when they determine that the seven are fit for the work.

XXXVII. Of the Civil Magistrates.
* Don't quite understand this, but seems to support the death penalty and war.
TPoT says... Death Penalty recognises authority and links back to Gen 9v6 but notes that it does not have regard to whether it is advisable (although permissible).

XXXIX. Of a Christian man's Oath.
* Hmmm.... having problems reconciling 'forbidden' and 'not prohibited' here...
The Prohibition
TPoT argues that the 'vain and rash swearing' referred to in XXXIX has in mind Matt 5vv33-37 and JJames 5v12 (helpfully, not providing chapters...!) where vanity and rashness are regarded as profane and irreverent.
The Permission
TPoT argues that the Article does not forbid solemn statements when required by authority "in a cause of faith and charity" - and notes Deut 6v13, Matt 26v63, Rom 9v1, 2 Cor 1v23, Gal 1v20, Heb 6vv16-18.
End of the Article notes "according to the prophet's teaching, in justice, judgment and truth" refers to Jeremiah 4v2

Boooks... and Revelation.

One of the happy side effects of this blog is that many of those reading have a much better library than me.
This means that the day after I post my comments on the 39 Articles I am lent a nice big fat book on them.
And it has Latin in it (purring contentedly like a cat .... not that this particular cat reads Latin.... but just likes things that are a bit hard..... like the mammoth mp3 by Don Carson on the "New Perspective on Paul" which comes in at an enormous 2hrs 36. Not sure that I've understood very much of it at all, but I'll just keep listening until I do.....)

Hellenists met again tonight - covered another four verses. We should be looking at John itself next term which is both good and terrifying. Will have to do some work.

Might be going to Uganda with Feeble in September which is exciting, but may need to rearrange other holiday plans. Perhaps I should just use one of my weeks off as a reading week. I could go and sit in the British Library. Or indeed, I could go and get a brown Bod Card and sit in a library in Oxford. (Sigh, contentedly).

Finished Revelation in Central Focus this evening - all over so quickly. Point for thought - given Rev 22:17 - what stops us praying this? What are we putting in front of our desire for Jesus to return? (e.g. the holiday we are planning, the social plans we have, the things we want to 'achieve' in church/work etc., family plans....)

Discovering my Anglican heritage

Having excitedly received my Book of Common Prayer (it's blue, and pocket-sized, and written in old English - joy!), I've finally made my way through to the back and read through to the Thirty-Nine Articles. These are also available in audio on the Theologian website.
I'm also pleased to find J.C.Ryle's thoughts on the same.
Some thoughts:
* I need to find some Scriptural proofs for the Articles ... it all sounds very well and good, but I do need to check.
* Thoughts on individual articles as follows:

XVI. Of Sin after Baptism.
Not every deadly sin willingly committed after Baptism is sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after Baptism. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and by the grace of God we may arise again, and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be condemned, which say, they can no more sin as long as they live here, or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.

* What is 'deadly sin'?
* What does it mean to 'depart from grace given'?

XVII. Of Predestination and Election... As the godly consideration of Predestination, and our Election in Christ, is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal Salvation to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God: So, for curious and carnal persons, lacking the Spirit of Christ, to have continually before their eyes the sentence of God's Predestination, is a most dangerous downfall, whereby the Devil doth thrust them either into desperation, or into wretchlessness of most unclean living, no less perilous than desperation.
Furthermore, we must receive God's promises in such wise, as they be generally set forth to us in holy Scripture: and, in our doings, that Will of God is to be followed, which we have expressly declared unto us in the Word of God.

*Does this mean that we shouldn't tell unbelievers about the doctrine of election? No preaching on Ephesians 1 then.....

XVIII. Of obtaining eternal Salvation only by the Name of Christ.
They also are to be had accursed that presume to say, That every man shall be saved by the Law or Sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that Law, and the light of Nature. For holy Scripture doth set out unto us only the Name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved.

* This would seem to have some relevance to multi-faith services.

XXIII. Of Ministering in the Congregation.
It is not lawful for any man to take upon him the office of publick preaching, or ministering the Sacraments in the Congregation, before he be lawfully called, and sent to execute the same. And those we ought to judge lawfully called and sent, which be chosen and called to this work by men who have publick authority given unto them in the Congregation, to call and send Ministers into the Lord's vineyard.

* Questions would be - a) what is publick preaching? and b) what is lawfully called?#

XXXVII. Of the Civil Magistrates.
The King's Majesty hath the chief power in this Realm of England, and other his Dominions, unto whom the chief Government of all estates of this Realm, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Civil, in all causes doth appertain, and is not, nor ought to be, subject to any foreign Jurisdiction.
Where we attribute to the King's Majesty the chief government, by which Titles we understand the minds of some slanderous folks to be offended; we give not to our Princes the ministering either of God's Word, or of the Sacraments, the which thing the Injunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our Queen do most plainly testify; but that only prerogative, which we see to have been given always to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himself; that is, that they should rule all estates and degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Temporal, and restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and evildoers.
The Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this Realm of England.
The Laws of the Realm may punish Christian men with death, for heinous and grievous offences.
It is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the Magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the wars

* Don't quite understand this, but seems to support the death penalty and war.

XXXIX. Of a Christian man's Oath.
As we confess that vain and rash Swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ, and James his Apostle, so we judge, that Christian Religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear when the Magistrate
requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done according to the Prophet's teaching, in justice, judgement, and truth.

* Hmmm.... having problems reconciling 'forbidden' and 'not prohibited' here...