In an era of polarization, even within the Church, it’s often hard to find leaders who attempt—let alone succeed—in bringing Christians together for the sake of the gospel. St. Hilda of Whitby stands among the most significant luminous figures of the early English Church—wise, steady, and quietly formidable. Centuries before the Reformation, when English Christianity…
Book Review: The White Horse King by Benjamin Merkle
Benjamin Merkle, The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great. Thomas Nelson, 2009. 272 pp. Contrary to what the spicier corners of Roman Catholic Twitter insist, the English Church did not begin in 1534, and Anglicanism did not spring fully formed from the head of Henry VIII like some Tudor Athena. Long before…
A Gaelic Church: The Scottish Episcopal Story
In Scotland, the primary expression of the church—or kirk in the Scottish tongue—is the Church of Scotland, which has long been the epitome (and, in many ways, the founder) of the Presbyterian tradition. And yet, an episcopally-governed, liturgical church has long paralleled the state church with its own unique flavor of the Anglican tradition. This…
E.A. Litton: An Evangelical and Catholic Theologian
Anglicans can sometimes be stereotyped as having no good theology. We might have a great liturgy, inspiring preaching, and beautiful worship, but we aren’t always thought of as a theological people. In this post, I hope to dispel that rumor by introducing you to E.A. Litton, a forgotten gem of a theologian you may not…
Polycarp: A Martyr Who Bore Much Fruit
In the providence of God, a person’s name sometimes accurately reflects the meaning of his life. Such is the case with Polycarp, the 2nd-century bishop and martyr. Polycarp is a Greek name that means many (poly) fruits (carp), and in light of scripture, this is an especially appropriate name. Jesus himself said: Truly, truly, I…
The Nicene Creed: A Rookie Anglican Guide
First drafted by bishops gathered at the Council of Nicaea in 325, the Nicene Creed is now affirmed by all major Christian denominations as a fundamental expression of the faith.
Review: Re-Formed Catholic Anglicanism
This book is a much-needed compilation of thoughtful engagement with the Anglican tradition—from the broadest foundational theological questions to the particulars of its history.
The Formularies: A Rookie Anglican Guide
The Anglican Formularies are the Thirty-Nine Articles, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Ordinal (the service for ordaining clergy). A strong case can be made that the Books of Homilies also serve this function. The Formularies provide both cohesiveness and clarity to the Church’s doctrine.
A Brief History of Anglicanism, Part 2
With more than fifteen hundred years of rich history, this ancient tradition still has the power to speak to our contemporary world with a faith that is relevant for a new generation.
A Brief History of Anglicanism, Part 1
The Anglican tradition traces its roots back to the time of the Roman Empire when a Christian church first came to exist in the British Isles.
