STREAMS? REALLY?
Anglicans
live in the Via Media: The Middle
Way: The Strait and Narrow. Between the innovations of Rome and the
inventions of the Protestants lies the reforming of the Church Catholic by the
Anglicans.* Though there may be many ideas put forth, such as in scholastic
discussions, Anglicanism is a narrow and defined road.
And
then there is the talk of “Streams.”
Depending on what modern or post-modern pieces of writing is being read
the Anglican religion has been described as 3 or more streams of belief. Sometimes the streams are described as
flowing parallel, never joining.
Sometimes the streams come together to form a powerful and grand waterway. More often than not, the streams are
not even related to or mingled with each other. Perhaps the metaphor is weak or even wrong.
The
streams most often sited are charismatic, evangelical, and catholic. Each stream gives a different view and
emphasis to the faith if discussed separately. True Anglicans do not separate these streams. Any student of the Bible knows that all
three are there in contained.
Anglicans know that their faith is set on the foundation of the Bible. If one believes that the Bible is true
then they know that the Via Media begins and ends in the Bible.
A
believer knows by reading and believing the Bible to be true that they must be
charismatic. Anglicans know that
“charisma” is all about the Holy Spirit.
The faithful know that at Baptism the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. He is our Comforter. The Holy Spirit brings gifts to
Baptized believers, as scripture tells us (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27). Anglicans believe such gifts strengthen the Body of Christ
and faith of the Baptized. If you
espouse only the charismatic steam from your bass boat you may be much more
comfortable as a member of the Church of the Nazarene.
The
student of the Bible also knows that they are evangelical. We are called by God to go and make
believers of all nations (Matthew 28:16-20, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). We are giving our time, talent, and
treasure to share the faith. Some
give testimony. Some give by
example. All are call by God, in
his scriptures to spread the faith.
If you are going to row your boat only in an evangelical stream you may
be more comfortable in the United Methodist Church.
Anglicans also know, without a doubt,
that they are catholic: Reformed Catholic. All that is believed by all Christians, everywhere, the
universal and complete faith, is found within the pages of the Bible, sacramentally
(Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The faith once given, the things of
salvation are encompassed in Holy Scripture. That is the catholic faith. If you desire to have your scholastic canoe glide in the
catholic stream only you may be more comfortable in Popish Rome.
Others
will add that, knowing that all things come from the Creator, God the Father,
we must liberally give to others (Matthew 5:40, Luke 6:29). That is simply a statement of Anglican
evangelism, though. It is
redundant. The Via Media is a
narrow way, and the door is open to all (Matthew 25:31-46, Acts 2:43-47. Acts
4:32-35, James 1:27, James 2:15-17, 1 Timothy 5:3).
Some
add that Anglicans are not literal or too liberal when it comes to the Bible. The faith is not to be innovative or
invented, and yet it must be inclusive and not exclusive. The faith of the Church is found in the
Bible. It is developed in
antiquity, and taught and defended in reason. Christianity is complete and was given once.
If a believer takes a comprehensive view
of faith and practice in the Church, the Bible first followed by antiquity and
reason, they may in fact be Anglican.
They certainly are on the Via Media. On the other hand, should that believer find that are intertube
bobbing in a single and limited Christianity they may find greater comfort and
understanding in another church.
And please, there are no streams. There is the Jordon River. There is the Holy Water of Baptism. True Anglicans have no need of streams and currents. We live on the narrow middle road of the Church.
*NOTE: There is
also the Holy Orthodox Church.
They too have maintained a simple path in the faith and practice of the
Church. The metaphor of a four
wheeled wagon may serve as a good visual description of the Orthodox: Four roughly equal sized wheels, one of
Scripture, one of Tradition, one of Reason, and a fourth of Culture. Many of the Orthodox churches are self-governing
within a very particular culture and set of mores.
RKH+
In Christ's love, Fr. Robert Pax
