Is Anglicanism Considered Calvinist?

[Kthulhut Fhtagn]

I've been reading up on Anglicanism and I've been trying to get this one around my head. It seems that Anglicans do have some Calvinist DNA but at the same time I don't see many individuals in the Anglican Church profess a belief in TULIP (Total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, perseverance of the saints.) in modern times or after the 17th century. My understanding is that there was a significant Calvinist strain during the 16th and 17th century but that it faded away going into the 18th century, but I could be wrong.

My question is how many individuals in the 18th century American colonies in the Episcopalian and Anglican churches could be considered Calvinist and whether or not Anglicans and Episcopalians are still considered Calvinist by a clear majority. I understand that it could be confusing given the Anglican Church and it's lacking an agreed upon confession of faith.

 

[Fiona]

They are catholic

 

[Thanz]

I'm Anglican. Anglicans are neither Calvinist nor Catholic, although I think it closer to Catholicism.

I have no idea how many would be Calvinist in the 18th century, but considering that I had to wiki TULIP I can tell you that it is not part of Anglican teaching today.

 

[Kthulhut Fhtagn]

They are catholic

I know they have their roots in the old church but the 39 articles shows some influence from Calvinists (predestination and free will), I know the chuch considers itself a middle ground between the two. My question is how popular is Calvinist theology in the Anglican church.

 

[gtc]

Anglicanism was founded by Henry VIII. His dispute with the Catholic Church was more to do with who was ultimately in charge than with matters of doctrine. However, the reformation was hugely influential in Britian.

Eventually, the Church in England came to be a compromise between those who wanted few changes from the days of the Catholic Church and those who wanted much more 'reform'. I think they mostly call themselves 'Evangelicals' today.

That tension is still playing out with Women and Gay Priests probably the biggest dividing issue at present.

As to Calvin, I think he was and remains influential among the Evangelicals but I haven't heard the term TULIP used by them.

 

[gtc]

They are catholic

What makes you say that?

 

[Kthulhut Fhtagn]

As to Calvin, I think he was and remains influential among the Evangelicals but I haven't heard the term TULIP used by them.

TULIP is a term I've heard used to refer to the Five Points of Calvinism, it's an acronym of the five points.

 

[Fiona]

What makes you say that?

That is what they call themselves

Anglicans uphold the Catholic and Apostolic faith. Following the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Churches are committed to the proclamation of the good news of the Gospel to the whole creation. In practice this is based on the revelation contained in Holy Scripture and the Catholic creeds, and is interpreted in light of Christian tradition, scholarship, reason and experience.

 

[Thanz]

I know they have their roots in the old church but the 39 articles shows some influence from Calvinists (predestination and free will), I know the chuch considers itself a middle ground between the two. My question is how popular is Calvinist theology in the Anglican church.

From what I have read about Calvinist theology on wikipedia, I can say that it is not popular at all in the Anglican church, at least the modern Anglican church where I am (Canada).

 

[cj.23]

I'm an Anglican (and a fairly loud one) and nope we are not Calvinist. In fact there have been considerable tensions with those who have adopted Calvinist influences. I think the issue might be the infamous double-Predestination article - but I can certainly look up the history of its interpretation if you want, Which time frame in particular did you have in mind? Anglicans subscribe to the 39 Articles, with varying degrees of enthusiasm - google them to find 'em. Bear in mind that ANglicanism covers a huge range from Laudian Arminianism through to Evangelical Low Church through Latitudinarian Broad Church to say Whitgift and the Puritan influenced to modern Charismatics. The strain you refer to as Calvinist in the 16th & 17th centuries is generally referred to as Puritan -- it certainly has Calvints sympathies, but it was never the dominant theology.

cj x

 

[cj.23]

What makes you say that?

Because we are - catholic that is - just not Roman Catholic. (We are also orthodox, but not Orthodox!) We hold to the apostolic succession.

cj x

 

[Kthulhut Fhtagn]

I think the issue might be the infamous double-Predestination article - but I can certainly look up the history of its interpretation if you want, Which time frame in particular did you have in mind?

I'm mostly looking for the interpretation starting with the falling out with the Puritans and the Anglican church to modern times. One of my exes is an Anglican and she gave me a rather long-winded speech on Puritan-influence in the Church and it's waning starting in the mid-17th century. I understand the Puritan aspect of it rather well but I'm more curious in what the 18th century to modern times Anglicans in Europe and America have to say about it.

This whole thing started mind you when a Calvinist informed me of his belief that the US declaration is a Calvinist document and that the Founding Fathers were mostly Calvinist. I've found out that most of them at the time were Episcopalians or Anglican so I'm attempting to find out if these people would have been Calvinists or not.

Anglicans subscribe to the 39 Articles, with varying degrees of enthusiasm - google them to find 'em. Bear in mind that ANglicanism covers a huge range from Laudian Arminianism through to Evangelical Low Church through Latitudinarian Broad Church to say Whitgift and the Puritan influenced to modern Charismatics. The strain you refer to as Calvinist in the 16th & 17th centuries is generally referred to as Puritan -- it certainly has Calvints sympathies, but it was never the dominant theology.

cj x

Oh yeah, you're a confusing lot. From what I'm reading you seem to have three differant overall interpretations depending on who you ask, one guy looks like he'd give you an Evangelical interpretation of the articles, another a guy would give you a more Catholic interpretation, and the last guy would give you a Liberal Christian interpretation. One I've got one of you pegged down I need to read another several articles.

 

[arthwollipot]

In the words of Robin Williams, that was Henry VIII going "Ha ha ha, I'm pope now!"

I may well be very wrong about this, but I thought Calvinism grew out of the Lutheran Protestant tradition, while Anglicanism was an offshoot of Roman Catholicism.