10 Liberating Truths from the 39 Articles
Sound doctrine sets us free. The Reformation needed to happen, not just because there was a debate to be won but because souls were in the balance. Bad doctrine leads to bad pastoring. Sometimes, we forget that Anglicans have a fantastic statement of faith in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion. The same exact brilliant men who framed our wonderful liturgy wrote the Articles.
Perhaps for you, doctrine is intimidating. Maybe you feel like it’s divisive or restraining. However, sound doctrine, when used rightly, is quite the opposite. Let me show you how the doctrines of the Articles aren’t just true, they actually liberate us through the Gospel.
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1. Christ died for us (Article 2)
The Articles begin with the catholic doctrines of the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Work of Christ, the Resurrection, and the Holy Spirit. What a beautiful truth that these first five Articles are largely the heritage, not just of Anglicans, but of all Christians around the world and throughout time! And with one accord, all Christians can proclaim this astounding truth: the God-man bore the sins of many and took away our debts. Article 2 makes it clear that this includes our past sins (guilt) and all future sins (actual sins).
2. Scripture is enough (Article 6)
Thomas Cranmer reminds us that Scripture is all we need.
In these books we may learn to know ourselves, how vile and miserable we be, and also to know God, how good he is of himself, and how he maketh us and all creatures partakers of his goodness.
Thomas Cranmer, “Homily on the Reading of Scripture”
That means that everything you need to know to be saved, everything you need to know about who God is, who you are, and how to live rightly before him, is already given in Scripture. Not hidden, not buried, not reserved for a spiritual elite, but revealed openly for everyone.
3. You are not all that you could be (Article 9)
This Article reminds us of the doctrine of “original sin,” which, to many, might not seem like good news at first. But think about it! Isn’t it a relief to know that humanity is not all that we could be? Don’t you breathe a sigh of relief after we say Confession on Sunday? When we look out at all the evil in the world and ask the Lord, “How long?” He always gently points us back to ourselves. There is relief in finding out that the problems of the world all start from within us.
4. God justifies the ungodly (Article 11)
The Reformers rightfully believed that justification was the key to all other doctrine and piety. Once we see the deep darkness within, the natural next question in every soul is, “How can I stand before a holy God?” And in justification, God does something amazing. All that we are and all that we owe, he takes upon himself. And all that he is, he gives to us as a free gift. The righteousness for the unrighteous. The spotless Lamb for the sins of the world. Cranmer said that justification by grace through faith is “a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort.”
5. Salvation will transform you (Article 12)
Never let anyone tell you the Reformers did away with Good Works. Anglicans have a whole article for it! We should consider sanctification, the process of being remade into Christ’s image, distinct but inseparable from justification. Calvin argues that both aspects of salvation flow from the same reality: our Union with Christ. Therefore, they always come together.
Christ justifies no one whom He does not at the same time sanctify. These benefits are joined together by an indissoluble bond.
John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion 3:16:1
When God declares us righteous, good works always flow, and that’s just as liberating as a clean slate. Christ’s love truly transforms us and causes us to love what is good again.
6. Repentance always works (Article 16)
And yet, on the journey of being made new, we always stumble and fall. Who among us has not been revisited by old, sinful habits and made to understand their own frailty time and time again? During the Reformation, many radical groups thought that if you committed a sin after Baptism, you were basically out of luck. That was a sign that you weren’t a real Christian. Luckily, our Reformers reminded us in Article 16 that not all sins after Baptism are unforgivable. Repentance always works. As John tells his readers,
But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 2:1
Even experienced Christians need to hear this life-giving truth.
7. There was never a time when you were not loved (Article 17)
Although controversial for some, I believe Article 17 perfectly captures the biblical teaching on predestination. Notice where Cranmer places it. Does he begin with such a lofty and abstract truth? No, he puts it after God, the Trinity, Scripture, faith, justification, good works, and repentance.
Election is best meditated on as we look back on our life of faith. When we look in the rearview mirror of God’s faithfulness, we realize that his love goes back to eternity, and that, in some mysterious way, “by his secret counsel,” he has chosen us before we could choose him. This is a mystery best understood as Paul and Calvin understood it: in the context of doxological prayer. We can only fully grasp God’s election of us not in a classroom but on our knees, standing silent before the mystery. We are loved with an eternal love. As Bernard of Clairvaux reminds us,
There was never a time when the Church of the Elect was not before God’s face. There was never a time when she was not loved.
Bernard of Clairveaux, Song of Solomon Sermon 78, section II.3
8. You are saved by Christ, not by a law or sect (Article 18)
Laws and sects are everywhere these days. In an age of internet apologetics, many young people, especially young men, can easily get sucked into the never-ending vortex of ecclesial anxiety. Do you ever wonder if you’re in the Inner Ring of God’s grace? Maybe that’s not you. However, you may feel that certain practices or associations will save you. The perfect liturgy, a life focused on mission and service at your church, or particular lifestyle choices. All of those things are amazing things to do and true channels of grace, but they aren’t the main point. They don’t save us. The main point is Christ. Only he saves us.
Article 18 reminds us that there is one door into Heaven: Jesus. Only a lively faith in his all-sufficient work is needed. That doesn’t mean that you should join a church that doesn’t adhere to the catholic faith or that ignores Scriptures. Some sects are off-limits for a Christian. It also doesn’t mean that you should shun routines and rules. But it does mean that the center of our life ought to be reserved for Jesus. Nothing else is worthy of our faith.
9. The Sacraments actually do stuff (Article 25)
When we come together on Sunday to receive the Lord’s Supper, we are not just remembering Jesus. We are feasting on him. When we baptize a new disciple, we aren’t just acknowledging their faith. We are witnessing God do something new. The sacraments are “effectual signs.” When received rightly, they do what they point to. Article 25 says they are “certain sure witnesses.” Bishop John Rodgers comments that
God is the ultimate actor in the sacraments, not the minister, not the Church, not even us as we approach them and receive them with faith. They are the voice of Christ, his Word, his action.
John Rodgers
God is infinite, invisible, unknowable, and yet he graciously promises to meet us in the simplest things in the whole world: a little bread, a little wine, and a splash of water.
10. The traditions of the Church are trustworthy (Article 34)
Although Anglicans recentered the Church on its truest and clearest source, the Scriptures, we also trust tradition. Tradition is an inevitability. Think about your family meeting for Thanksgiving. Over the years, little traditions naturally flower and develop. You might even forget where they come from after so many years of doing them.
As Anglicans, we believe this is right and good, and as long as they are in accordance with the Word of God, traditions ought to be received with love and affection. That’s why we worship with an ancient liturgy and shape the Church the exact same way our fathers in the faith did. Tradition isn’t a competitor with Scripture. At its best, it’s a Spirit-led and time-tested delivery system for Scripture.
Image: photo of Canterbury Cathedral by AlexKozlov from Getty Images, courtesy of Canva. Digitally edited by Jacob Davis.
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