Behind the Eucharist: The Middle Ages to Cranmer


Outline:

Preamble:

  • Reference in some Anglo-Catholic Circles to "the Elizabethan Tradition"
  • Does the Elizabethan Prayer Book (1559 BCP) reflect an Anglo-Catholic Understanding in the Eucharist?
  • To understand Elizabethan Church of England, need to understand what came before
  • Note on the term Anglo-Catholic
    • Siblings in Christ in England simply use Catholic
      • catholic literally means "universal"
        • Reference to the wider Body of Christ beyond denominations
        • We we say this word in the Creed
      • Catholic also refers to a focus on sacramental theology
        • Other group in Church of England would be Evangelicals
          • Those whose focus is on spreading the Gospel (evangelizing)
        • Each group has Expansionists and Traditionalists
          • Expansionists look to expand our understanding
          • Traditionalists wish to adhere to a tradition
            • Many traditions that this could be
    • America use to differentiate from the Roman Catholic Church
      • Roman Catholicism is a denomination
      • Two Correct ways to refer to the denomination:
        1. Roman Catholic Church
        2. Roman Church
      • Shouldn't forget that "catholic" refers to more than a denomination
        • Others have claim to it, accept your claim
Issues from the Medieval Church:
  • Lots of local variants pop up for how to worship
    • Includes Eucharist
    • Liturgical actions are developed that later have to be rationalized
  • Clergy start to be less well educated
  • Clergy start to celebrate Eucharist solo
    • Where the "I believe" version of the Creed comes from
    • Unfortunate since Eucharist is meant to be celebrated as a Community
      • Communion means "in common"
  • Concern with spilling wine
  • Latin: not the vernacular language
    • Thought some would have been understood by laity, though not all
  • Result: Eucharist becomes more of a performance
    • Some come and only stay for the elevation
    • Have boards that are held up with pictures of bread and wine
      • Say this is enough to communicate people
English Reformation:
  • Henry VIII
    • Title of English Crown: "Defender of the Faith"
      • Granted by Pope
      • Wrote treatise against Martin Luther
    • Wants a male heir
      • Asks for divorce
      • Claims issue is he married his brother's wife
      • Normally would have been allowed, political issues
        • Catherine is nephew to the Holy Roman Emperor
        • Previous Pope had given dispensation for marriage
      • Henry VIII claims he is ruler of state and church in England
      • Excommunicates Pope
      • Cranmer appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury and allows for divorce
    • Note: important to own our origins
      • No Church, let alone denomination, is perfect
      • Strength we have is that we cannot pretend to have a perfect start
  • Thomas Cranmer
    • Part of a group in Cambridge who were supportive of the Protestant Reformation
    • Henry VIII's divorce provides the chance to bring Protestant ideals to England
    • Henry VIII's piety was still Catholic, allowed a lot because of Cranmer's support
    • Edward VI followed his father, The Book of Common Prayer was written at this time
    • Cranmer made incremental changes, 2 BCPs during his lifetime
      • One in 1549, one in 1552
      • First started with Latin/English hybrid
      • 1549 BCP- all English, meant to ease from Latin Mass
      • 1552 BCP- much bigger changes
Coming soon: a look at Cranmer's Prayer Books and the structure for Eucharist