What is an Episcopal?

Robbi · 10-20-2004, 11:51 PM

Im just curious exactly what is an Anglican/Episcopal....well the Episcopal bit anyway?

**Ridley's Own** · 10-21-2004, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robbi

Im just curious exactly what is an Anglican/Episcopal....well the Episcopal bit anyway?

First, "Episcopal" is an adjective. You would not point to a fern and say, "Look at the green." "Episcopalian" is the approriate noun. People always confuse that and it makes me slightly perturbed. But I'm always slightly perturbed, so don't worry about it.

An Anglican is a Christian who believes and practices the Christian faith according to the beliefs and practices of the Church of England. We are the least reformed of all the communions that emerged out of the Reformation in the 16th century, often calling ourselves what John Newman refered to as the "via media" between Roman Catholicism of Trent and the Contintental Reformation of Calvin and Luther.

We are like Roman Catholicism in that we retain the three fold ministry of deacons, priests and bishops, liturgical worship, frequent Communion, and the seven Sacraments. We hold to the first 7 Ecumenical Councils as being broadly authoritative in doctrine and faith.

We are like Reformed churches in that we reject the universal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), a highly legalistic understanding of the sacraments (vis a vis transubstantiation, for example) and vaguely Calvinist.

We are unlike any other Communion in the world in that we don't have a rigid doctrinal confession like the Westminster Confession of Faith or the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Our confession is literally our liturgical practice, as found in the Book of Common Prayer, which you can find many versions of simply by googling 'Book of Common Prayer.'

I think that just about does it. Others can add what they wish, but I think I just about covered it all.

**Ridley's Own** · 10-21-2004, 10:00 AM

To answer the question more directly, an "Episcopalian" is a member of the US branch of Anglicanism, the Episcopal Church, USA. We are called "Episcopal" in lieu of "Anglican" because after the War of Independance, anything overtly English was really, really not kosher and could get your church burned down.

chaiyah · 10-21-2004, 12:09 PM

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/20966...menupage=11750

An Episcopalean is a person who has joined the US branch of the Anglican [British, established by King Henry VIII] Church, namely, the branch that calls itself "Episcopal."

Taking its liturgy from Catholic practice, its objectives are to permit autonomy among its members, rather than slavish obediencE to the Papacy in Rome, which is also split between Jesus' teachings and "mystery teachings."

So, the general preferences among Anglicans is to lean toward the Roman archetype of obedience [to Jesus AND to Paul] whereas among US Episcopaleans, the leaning is toward Paul ONLY and Calvinism, as a result.

But these are just generalizations. In any single church, one will find all sorts of people--sheep and goats.

Chaiyah

Robbi · 10-21-2004, 05:45 PM

Thanks for all that info, thats great.
I didnt realise that Anglicans hold to the 7 sacraments as well?
Well, I learn something new everyday.
Thanks, and God Bless,

Rob

chaiyah · 10-21-2004, 08:35 PM

Uhm, hello. Excuse me, please.

Was there something wrong with the way I responded to Robbi, that you needed to step over me without comment? Was I WRONG?

I'm puzzled. Is there some acrimony between us that I don't know about?

Yes, I'm new here, and there doesn't seem to be very many of us to carry the ball right now. To what can you attribute the lack of interest?

[shrug]

Emily Cragg
Bandera, Texas

Robbi · 10-21-2004, 09:21 PM

????

I have no idea what thats all about.

**Ridley's Own** · 10-22-2004, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaiyah

Was there something wrong with the way I responded to Robbi, that you needed to step over me without comment? Was I WRONG?

Umm... No... I just responded to the post before you did. My last response was at 10 a.m., you answered at noon. That's why my post appears before yours.

s0233425 · 10-22-2004, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaiyah

An Episcopalean is a person who has joined the US branch of the Anglican [British, established by King Henry VIII] Church, namely, the branch that calls itself "Episcopal."

You get Episcopaleans in Scotland too, so it can't be just an American thing.

chaiyah · 10-22-2004, 09:59 AM

I'm new here, and there doesn't seem to be very many of us to carry the ball right now. To what can you attribute the lack of interest?

[again] Sir?

Emily

TheProdigalModern · 10-25-2004, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaiyah

I'm new here, and there doesn't seem to be very many of us to carry the ball right now. To what can you attribute the lack of interest?

It's a denominational forum in a fairly large message board system. It's just not going to get as much traffic as the major forums.

You'll have a couple of people who post in every thread in here, a few lurkers like me who have a certain fondness for the Anglican communion, and a whole lot of drive-by posters who will come back when a major announcement is made.

BTW, why do you keep on referring to Ridley as "Rev. Ridley?"