Is Anglicanism Catholic or Protestant?
Roman Catholic? Reformed? Protestant?
Most American evangelicals experience a church world that is either protestant and Reformed or Roman Catholic. You have to be one or the other. For many, ‘catholic’ means “Roman Catholic”; ‘Reformed’ means “Calvinist.” “Protestant” means “Non-Roman Catholic.” The Eastern Orthodox churches in these discussions are largely unconcerned. Anglicanism, however, had a unique, rich history that complicates these neat labeling systems. It does not neatly fit into predefined categories.
Anglicanism: Both Reformed & Catholic
Anglicans tend to define their church as both Catholic and Reformational, or both Catholic and Evangelical. When we say catholic, we don’t mean we are Roman Catholic. Also, when we say reformed, we don’t necessarily mean we are all Calvinists.
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For example, I have two portraits hanging on the wall in my study. One is a picture of Pope Gregory commissioning Augustine of Canterbury to go to England to establish communion between the Church in England and the Roman Catholic church. The other, next to it, is Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. He was the first reformational Archbishop of Canterbury and a father of the Reformation movement.
Each is juxtaposed, with no seeming contradiction. I have books on my shelf by John Stott and John Henry Newman. My crucifix sits next to an ESV Study Bible. I believe in Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist; I also believe in the priesthood of all believers.
Some Anglican History
Interjecting some Anglican history might clarify any confusion. The British Isles are those where the Anglican church was originally planted. Christianity came to these Isles at some time in the late first or early second century, possibly along with the Roman army. It could also be through some early eastern-Celtic missionaries. Later, Pope Gregory sent Augustine of Canterbury to evangelize the British Isles in 596 AD. The church in that part of the world came into communion with the catholic (i.e., worldwide) church at that time. Yet, it had previously existed in all ages.
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Hebrews 12:22-24
We say when we claim catholic that our church is a continuation of the church in those early days. In that time, the Christian Church was undivided and universal. Skip ahead a thousand years. Now it’s the Reformation. The Church in England went through a reformation period, initiated in full by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. He was influenced by both Geneva (Calvinists) and Germany (Lutherans). This, along with the next century of arguments, persecutions, wrangling, and disputes, shaped a reformed and yet still catholic Anglican church.
Where Anglicanism Split from Rome
Now, the English Reformation was a split with Rome in certain respects. Consider that the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion state that
As the Church of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch, have erred, so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and manner of Ceremonies, but also in matters of Faith. … 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.
39 Articles of Religion, Articles 19, 22
However, rather than leaving behind the catholic faith and becoming only protestant, the Anglican reformation ended up reforming the existing catholic church in England. This is why Bishops were retained, and priests, along with sacramental theology and liturgy.
It’s fair to say that Anglicans have, on the whole, a stronger sense of the authority of the Church invisible and of church traditions than some other Protestants do. Be this as it may, though the authority and traditions of the Church carry weight within the Anglican tradition, the Bible is the final arbiter in all matters. Traditions and authority form its supporting legs.
Of the Authority of the Church: The Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies, and authority in Controversies of Faith: and yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to God’s Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore, although the Church be a witness and a keeper of Holy Writ, yet, as it ought not to decree any thing against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of Salvation.
39 Articles, Article 20
Eventually, Anglicans sought communion with the Roman church and the Orthodox churches, alongside continuing fellowship with other Protestant churches. We have something in common with all of these traditions in a great via media, middle way. Nonetheless, the Anglican communion today does not have official fellowship with our Roman counterparts, unlike the sister church status it holds with the Orthodox Chuch.
The English ruled the seas, began to colonize the known world. They spread this reformed catholic faith all over the world, not always gently (to put it mildly). The American Revolution birthed what became an Anglican church in the United States. It was independent politically while remaining in full communion with the Church of England. Likewise, this new Episcopalian church found itself somewhat unique due to the lack of a monarchy in its new constitutional republic. This became a pattern all over the former empire during decolonization. A new chapter in our history began rather than forming a new church.
In some phases of its history, the Anglican church has emphasized its Protestant or Reformed reality and de-emphasized its catholic nature. Such times included the evangelical revivals of the 18th century. At other times, such as during the 19th century Oxford Movement, there has been a revival of the catholic spirituality or vision. But both of these influences have remained.
Maintaining the Anglican Tension
The Anglican church is a reformed catholic church. We don’t see a fundamental conflict between the words evangelical and catholic. Nor do we feel the need to choose between our catholic ancestors and our reformational ones. This can confuse some who think on these things as antitheses. For Anglicans, though they are often in tension, they are both necessary to retain and to live into. It is not a life of either/or tension, but both/and. We accept the best from each.
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