There are many other ways in which a restored Nicene Creed might help to facilitate conversation in the Anglican family. Since it should be possible to establish full agreement on its restoration, there is no reason to delay.
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Sep 23 Hudson Barton. Comments: 1
How to initiate conversation among the factions
Before you can talk about what liturgy and doctrines mean, you have to actually use the same language, and understand the text as authoritative with objective points of reference. Presently, the ACNA recognizes multiple conflicting texts in its liturgies, constitution and canons. This situation of non-clarity will bring nothing but strife in the years ahead as it will be impossible for its "family" of Anglicans to have a conversation with each other.
Restoring orthodoxy to today's complex mix of Anglican cultures, streams, and stool legs will be very difficult. Teaching the 39 Articles, restoring the 1662 BCP and fixing ACNA's constitution and canons would be helpful, but a first and much easier step would be to restore, use and teach the historic Nicene Creed.
For example, the judicial language of the 1662 version of the Nicene Creed, which speaks of "remission" rather than "forgiveness", would help tremendously in teaching the Gospel, and help to dispel the Pelagian teaching that has been with us for a long time, at least since 1979.
| CLBaker | Anglicanisms problems mirror broad evangelicalism. which has a distaste for the historic Creeds. Restoring the Nicene (1662 rendering) should help. Also the anti-Reformational tractarians must be disciplined. September 29, 2009 |