Liturgical Theosis (original) (raw)

Cranmer: Liturgical Revolutionary or Pragmatist

What would Cranmer make of a contemporary fixation in some quarters on the 1662 Book of Common Prayer? Would he be content, or would he be railing against it as a contextually inappropriate way of worship in most settings in the 21st century? The author would not like to be accused of anachronistic tendencies, but sought to be provocative in this address to the Prayer Book Society at Launde Abbey in the 1990s

The Edwardian Prayer Books: A Study in Liturgical Theology

Anglicanism is creedal in nature, it is a biblical tradition in the Christ faith and is best expressed in the worshipping life of the church: the liturgy. The creation of the Book of Common Prayer owes much of its existence to Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was its primary architect. Amidst political and religious strife, reform and rebellion, Cranmer helped produce two Prayer Books during the reign of King Edward VI. The prayer books of 1549 and 1552 have been widely and deeply studied; much ink has been spilt arguing over the books chief differences. However, this essay seeks to demonstrate the extreme continuity and congruity between the two Eucharistic prayers—despite Cranmer’s knack for vague and abstract language. The methodology employed herein will be two-fold: first, the traditional lens of a historical analysis of each prayer book will be used. The second and perhaps more fruitful study will use the lens of liturgical theology. Finally, this study will serve as an argument for a clear Eucharistic theology among Anglicans.

An Analysis of Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556) as the 'Architect of English Protestantism'

Reformation in England was a political, religious and ideological battle, fought both at the centre of government in London and in the rural parishes. A large mosaic of priests, monarchs, scholars and politicians performed key roles, albeit with some individuals etching more of a historical footprint than others. Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury during the reign of Henry VIII and Edward VI, has been described by Lindberg (2010, 321) as “the architect of English Protestantism.” In critically evaluating such a statement, we shall delve into Cranmer’s biography, political achievements, theological impact, literary legacy, and finally, the account of his martyrdom. It will also be wise to contrast his efforts with other Reformers who significantly impacted the English context, as well as apply any wisdom gleaned from Cranmer’s exploits to our contemporary situation today.

'Truth at stake: the nineteenth-century reputation of Thomas Cranmer', in Peter Nockles & Vivienne Westbrook (eds.), Reinventing the Reformation in the nineteenth century, Special issue of the Bulletin of the John Rylands University Library, 90 (2014), 257-86

Ever since his violent death in 1556, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer was used by rival groups to justify their views about the Church of England. The burning of a disgraced Primate was always likely to be a spicy tale, but thanks chiefly to John Foxe it was placed at the centre of Protestant narratives. In the nineteenth century, however, confessional stories became hotly contested, and amid the 'rage of history' erstwhile heroes were placed under intense scrutiny. This chapter uses Cranmer's fluctuating reputation as lens through which to explore changing understandings of the English past. As will become clear, uncertainties over how to place Cranmer bespoke a crisis of Anglican identity, one driven both by divisions within it and challenges to its political, cultural and intellectual authority from without. Despite and perhaps because of shifts in how he was seen, Cranmer's liturgical writings -the Book of Common Prayer -came to be seen as his chief legacy.