Anglican Comprehensiveness

Anglicanism in some quarters is redefining itself around what is known as Modernist Theology.  Modernist Theology sees truth as relative and considers the Apostolic witness to Truth as revealed in Scripture as potentially outmoded, depending on modern experience and knowledge.   The central feature of the modernist faith is “comprehensiveness” and “inclusiveness,” with theological barriers discounted or removed altogether.  This is very different from orthodox Anglicanism as found in the great majority of worldwide Anglicanism and as believed and expressed here at The Church of the Holy Trinity.

Anglicanism is susceptible to a modernist re-interpretation because of its history of comprehensiveness dating to the Protestant Reformation.  This, however, requires a redefinition of what we know of as true Anglican comprehensiveness.  The Rev. Dr. J.I. Packer and The Rev. Dr. John Stott, along with Mr. CS Lewis, as  Anglicanism’s foremost modern-day theologians have articulated two kinds of comprehensiveness: Principled and Unprincipled Comprehensiveness.  Classic Anglicanism is based on Principled Comprehensiveness, which insists on agreement with the biblical fundamentals of the faith and a continuity with classic English Protestant Reformation thought, while allowing liberty in issues of secondary doctrine, preference and practice. These secondary doctrines, preferences and practices are what Post-Reformation theologian Richard Hooker in forging a “Via Media” between Puritan and Catholic factions in England described as “Adiaphoa,” (Greek meaning “things indifferent”,) by which he meant those things beyond what is attested to in Scripture and is open to choice and preference. 

Modernist Theology has flourished in some quarters of Anglicanism apparently because revisionism has had an easy path in its movement from Principled to Unprincipled Comprehensiveness.

Father Rob