Chris’ Considerations

So, having considered the question, What is Reformed Theology?, I’m now moving on to part two of this series, thinking about whether or not the Church of England is an Evangelical and Reformed Church. I’m going to be quite careful in how I answer this, I am not seeking to be controversial for the sake of it! Thus, I am going to think in particular about the official statement of faith, or confession, of the Church of England, especially the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion.

However, you may be wondering why have a confession in the first place! That is a very good question, and I’m going to try to answer that one first. I’d like to humbly suggest I that good “Confessions of Faith”, (official statements of points of doctrine), are still very important in the modern day.

I increasingly began to understand the importance of sound doctrine when I was at university. I grew to love the amazing Biblical truths outlined in the UCCF doctrinal basis. It was and is a great source of unity for the Christian Unions. It is also a good example of a modern and well-used statement of faith. I really benefited in learning what Christians believe, the foundations of the faith, by studying this short doctrinal basis with one of the UCCF Relay workers, a copy of Bob Horn’s short 96-page book, Ultimate Realities and Bibles firmly open. It was a good time in growing in the love and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Confessions of faith, I have been pleased to learn, are not a new idea, indeed they have a Biblical basis. Throughout the Bible, the people of God have made clear and bold statements of important doctrinal points of faith. For example, Moses declared to Israel: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4, ESV). Peter confessed to the Lord Jesus: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16, ESV). Paul wrote this statement of faith in the 15th chapter of his first letter to the Corinthians:

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.”
(1 Corinthians 15:1-5, ESV)

The Apostle Paul knew the importance of good theology, and wrote to fellow Christians explaining this. He instructed Titus that the elders of the Church ‘must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.’ (Titus 1:9, ESV). Likewise, Paul wrote in his second letter to Timothy:

Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
(2 Timothy 1:13-14, ESV)

Firstly then, the best Confessions help us learn important truths and so ‘follow the pattern of sound words.’ Knowing what we believe is a vital component of faith. However, although knowing the basic facts, having ‘sound doctrine,’ is an essential component of faith; it is certainly not all we need. It has been said that faith consists of notitia (or knowledge, i.e. the facts), assensus (or assent, i.e. believing they are true) and fiducia (or trust, i.e. relying on these truths as we live out our lives). Although I’m commenting more here on ‘knowledge,’ I certainly do not want to minimise ‘assent’ or ‘trust’, which are all vital for a living, saving faith. Praise God that as believers we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Romans 3:21-26; Galatians 2:15-16; Ephesians 2:8-9 c.f. James 2:14-26)!

Secondly, throughout Church history Christians have written Confessions based on the truths revealed by God in His Word, to help ‘guard the good deposit,’ for example the ancient Apostles Creed or Nicene Creed (381AD). Indeed, the faithful Christians from times past who made Biblical confessions are part of the ‘great a cloud of witnesses’ (Hebrews 12:1, ESV) that God has provided us with. Bible-based Creeds and Confessions are outlines of key Biblical truths for Christians to unite around, to help set down some of the things of central importance, and in their historical context, deal with some of the issues of the day. During the time of the Protestant Reformation as the gospel was rediscovered, new statements of faith were drawn up to unite Christians and clearly explain historic orthodox Biblical truth. Believe it or not the Church of England has a “doctrinal basis” too! To read some of these creeds and confessions, click here.

Finally, lets remember do all of that faithfully and lovingly in Christ Jesus.

Do you think that is all Biblical (Acts 17:11)? I hope so – please be discerning!

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