[Ridley's Own]

Originally Posted by Aaron Adams

The Anglican church has never done either of these things. The Anglican church enlightened the pagans of Britain with the Gospel. We, as Anglicans, do not believe that the Roman Church ever rightly had authority to usurp, but only the responsibility to deliver the Gospel. We are not a second bride or a secondary one, but part of the one, true, holy, apostolic, catholic, Church. The members of the Roman Catholic Church are also part of that catholic Church in the same way.

And keep in mind that there was already an indigenous Christian church that pre-dates the commissioning of St. Augstine. Again, it wasn't much different in terms of doctrine with contemporary Western Catholicism, but enough to require the Synod of Whitby in 600-something a.d. The pre-existing Church in England was started by pure missionary activity from both monks going on their lonesome to the British Isles and lay evangelism from the ranks of Roman settlers.

[centofanti]

Originally Posted by Aaron Adams

I am the moderator. You began the attack, by implying that the Anglican church was not a part of the true Bride of Christ.

By this logic, I ask the same questions of the Roman church in the US, since the apostles certainly didn't found it..

I will address the term bride throughout...

Bishop Carroll was the first Catholic Bishop in the US, of course approved by the Church (by Rome). details of Bishop Carrolls appointment as first Bishop is useful knowledge of US history. The Catholic (Roman, as you call it) Church in the US is doctrinally in accord with Rome and all the Bishops. For example every Bishop is approved by Rome. Just like Matthius was approved by Peter and the other Apostles.

You mention Saint Augustine of C. as the founder of the Anglican church, However this doesnt make too much sense since he supported the primacy of Peter, which Anglicanism does not. Saint Augustine was obligied to respect and obey the authority of the Church from who he was sent. The Anglican church has betrayed that aspect of the authority of the Church, since Henry VIII.

Originally Posted by Aaron Adams

The Anglican Communion is neither a younger nor a divorced bride, because it is only part of the Church, which is One Body. That Church is the Bride of Christ, and all divisions (be they denominational or regional) do not change that fact. Our Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Orthodox, and Pentecostal brethren are all part of that One Church as well..

ONly when the body has one mind, that of Peter and his sussesors, is it free of error and confusion. It's i dare say natural to have one mind/head for ANY member of the body.

The Catholic Church has 8 Rites and about 22 Churches under it, that doctrinally are with Rome. the Anglican church is Not one of these. Although doctrinally close to Rome, the Anglican church shows signs of extreme confusion for its faithful, as witnessed recently, for example.

Originally Posted by Aaron Adams

I don't think you're explaining yourself very well. Please explain what exactly you mean. The Bride language is not an analogy; it is the true and fulfilled marriage, of which earthly marriage between husband and wife are but a shadow. To make the analogy with smaller divisions is to compare an arm to a wife.

The Church is the fountain and pillar of Truth (1 Tim 3:15). Therefore to use the analogy of confused mistress is resonable for considering where Anglicanism stands. By mistress i mean one who uses the groom, but is not bound to him in any professed, solemn way.

Originally Posted by Aaron Adams

The churches in England founded by St. Augustine of Canterbury were missioned by the Church, to reach the heathens of the British Isles. The churches aligned with the thought of reformers in the 16th century were seeking to reestablish the faith as we have received it in Scripture. Isaac was not commenting on the state of the Roman Catholic Church today, but on its state in the 1500s. He may have complaints today about its dealings and surely I do, but he was certainly not attacking the RCC at present..

You mention Church what do you mean my "missioned by the Church"? Also, today we know what is right/wrong because we learn and know history, it's passed down to us. Not unlike the ten commandments.

Originally Posted by Aaron Adams

The Anglican church has never done either of these things. The Anglican church enlightened the pagans of Britain with the Gospel. We, as Anglicans, do not believe that the Roman Church ever rightly had authority to usurp, but only the responsibility to deliver the Gospel. We are not a second bride or a secondary one, but part of the one, true, holy, apostolic, catholic, Church. The members of the Roman Catholic Church are also part of that catholic Church in the same way

But the "Roman" Church existed 1500 years before the Anglican...so to use the term usurp is not in my view resonable, historically speaking.

Respectfully.