Abstract This paper describes the origins, core values and doctrines of the Anglican Church and of the Orthodox Church, which comprise several denominations. The paper explains that while the Anglicans and Orthodoxy view each other as being dissimilar, they can never deny that they are of the same faith and belief since these are all centered on the belief of the Risen Christ and the love He preached. The paper also reports on the achievements of the Lambeth Conference, which attempted to pave the way for a future possible unification of the divided churches especially on the American continent.
From the Paper "The Orthodox Church traces its beginnings to "the one, undivided Church, said to have begun on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after the Resurrection of Christ. Already by the 4th century the term 'Orthodox Christian' was used to designate those Christians who remained faithful to the totality of the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles, as opposed to those who were known as 'heretics' who promoted false doctrines and beliefs. The term 'orthodox' means 'correct believing' or 'correct, true glory.'"
Tags: continuation england respect, lambeth conference, dialogues
Abstract This paper examines the evolution of religious sentiment in the United States, beginning in Colonial times through to the 18th century age of reason. It explores the beliefs of Anglicanism and its growth into Puritanism. The paper describes the rebellious era of Deism that then was followed by its counter movement, the Great Awakening, which fused America as Christian nation.
From the Paper "With current advances in science and technology, creationism vs. evolution has become a bone of contention in the evolution of religion. Atheists demand tangible evidence. Theists counter with Intelligent Design. (Barrow and Tipler, 1986) Theists use indirect methods to insist on God's existence whenever any sign of the latest scientific theory falls flat.
There are parallels to the evolution of religious sentiments from the time the first Europeans came to the New World and today's views on religion. The pilgrims who landed on Plymouth Rock, MA, espoused Anglicanism; Anglicanism gave rise to Puritanism-its tenets eloquently captured by Michael Wigglesworth's "Day of Doom" (Wigglesworth, 1968); this was followed by the rebellious era of Deism; finally, a correction occurred-the rise of the Age of Enlightenment-the Great Awakening."
Abstract This paper discusses Milton's poem as it is broken up into five sections -the introduction in which Milton discusses his reluctance to write a poem before he is mature; a lament for the death of Lycidas and the fear that Milton himself will die before his work is completed; an attack against the Anglican clergy; a transitional interlude beautifully describing different flowers and a description of Lycidas' resurrection and entrance to heaven.
From the Paper "Here, then, is the third world of "Lycidas" in which the natural world is filled with Christian imperatives. Milton writes of St. Peter's visit to Lycidas' body, where he progresses from lamenting the death of a good priest to denouncing the bad clergy using the pastoral image of the shepherd as a spiritual leader or poet-priest of his flock, or his congregation. Coupled with references to Lycidas and his companions as shepherds, the leaders of a Christian flock, St. Peter connects Lycidas with biblical connotations of the Lord as shepherd. Clearly, this scene reflects Milton's despair over the loss of King, for the death of such a pastoral singer is not only the destruction of a poet but also the death of a priest. While Lycidas had faithfully performed his pastoral duties and, as a result, created balance and harmony, St. Peter warns us of the impending wrath of a just God."
Abstract This paper discusses that the Puritans were a highly restrictive people; they believed that their religion was the only correct one. The paper reveals that most of Puritan society revolved around religion, although there is no actual "Puritan religion" of which to speak; mostly, Puritan society came about because many people arrived in America with non-conformist views toward the Anglican Church. The author states that the concept of Manifest Destiny was important to the Puritans and was reflected in American history because many people believed that it was their God-given right and destiny to expand out toward the West Coast and conquer the lands that they found there.
From the Paper "As for the religious leaders and holy men of Puritan society, they believed that they were far superior to everyone else. This did not include only the people in the Puritan society, but people of other races, nationalities, and religions as well. Often, the Puritan holy men were very rich, but they felt threatened and frightened by individuals of other religions who shared the same duties over their flocks as the Puritan leaders had over theirs. Puritan holy men were believed to be devoid of original sin, and they taught the Puritan society to believe that anyone who preached another religion was an instrument of the devil. They encouraged this not only because they felt threatened by other religious leaders, but also because many of the other religions were more open and accessible to the general public, and the Puritan holy men wished to continue to control society through religion."
Abstract This paper examines "the doctrine of justification by faith alone" by one of the greatest minds of the past, Samuel Johnson, an influential Anglican, who argues against salvation for the infant and the mentally handicapped because of their impossibility of faith. The author points out that the Heidelberg Catechism stated an idea that begins to be more positive towards the salvation of infants and the mentally handicapped. The paper relates that some of the most modern concepts of the Protestant movement stress, without doubt, that their salvation is allowed.
From the Paper "Here, there is a hint that there might be circumstances under which Johnson"and by extrapolation, other thinkers of his day and certainly those to whom he preached"would accept the possibility of salvation for infants and the mentally handicapped. Or not. To Johnson, trust implied a kind of resignation to the honesty or abilities of the other. On that basis, however, Johnson opens himself up to other substantial criticisms. One of the most paramount is this: if trust is, as he believes resignation to the honesty or abilities of others, and the other in this instance is God, then is God not necessarily deserving of complete trust?"
Tags: impossibility, anglican, catechism, protestant, johnson
Abstract This paper describes the struggle to be the one to wield power in a small Anglican diocese. Trollope's purpose is to show the human foibles and politics of the Church of England and how the emphasis of the Church has drifted from God, faith, and the religious guidance of the Church's congregation to politics and the power of the clergy. It explains how "Barchester Towers" does not deal with a power struggle for religious ideals. Rather, it depicts an ecclesiastical power struggle and the vain thirst for personal power among Barchester's churchmen.
From the Paper "Anthony Trollope's Barchester Towers is concerned with social change in 19th century England. Trollope's purpose is to show the human foibles and politics of the Church of England and how the emphasis of the Church has drifted from God, faith, and the religious guidance of the Church's congregation to politics and the power of the clergy. In short, Barchester Towers does not deal with a power struggle for religious ideals. Rather, it depicts an ecclesiastical power struggle and the vain thirst for personal power among Barchester's churchmen. In this battle, several influential men of consequence endeavor to "rule the roast" (18) and to become Barchester's cock of the walk (142). Ironically, the bishop's willful wife Mrs. Proudie thwarts their ambitions. One situation in the novel that Trollope uses to illustrate the clergy's aspirations and their neglect of religious principles is the battle between Mrs. Proudie and her adversaries, Chaplain Slope and the Bishop of Barchester."
Abstract This paper examines how, between 1603 and 1611, James I made many attempts to create a "Jacobethan balance" in his determination to include as many people as possible in his Anglican Church. It looks at how these attempts centered largely around his efforts to separate the extreme Puritans from those who were prepared to conform to his rule and how by well-chosen appointments and discriminating clerical patronage, he successfully guided the Church of England into the middle ground.
From the Paper "The most extreme Puritans referred to themselves as the "Godly Elect", which obviously was some cause for resentment, and believed in Predestination (that they were already destined for a place in heaven) and thus lived very "Godly" lives; they set out to convince themselves of this and so they could interpret any occurrence in ways that suited them and such ideologies. Their deliberate self-separation made them a potential threat, but most Puritans (not all of whom even saw themselves precisely as such) conformed politically as well as religiously (as the King was head of the Church of England, the two were inseparable), similarly to the Closet Catholics, who were also well tolerated in James's reign (some cause of jealousy for the Puritans - Parliament suggested many times that Recusancy Laws be strengthened, mainly as a result of their relaxation in the face of the Spanish (and French) Match, later in James's reign."
Abstract The paper discusses the intellectual origins of this periood, the birth of pre-enlightenment ideas (Hobbes, Locke, etc.) and religious tension between the Puritans and Anglicans. The author presents the sources of the conflict: Charles I's desire to impose Anglicanism on England and Scotland, Parliaments yearning for more power, the rise and fall of Cromwell's Commonwealth, anti-Catholic fears and the "Glorious Revolution". The paper points out changes from this period : They Wrought: English Bill of Rights, end of tyrannical monarchs, and greater Parliamentary control. The author explains the impact on history from this time: Progression toward a three-tiered, modern government and secular ideas of progress and rights of the individual, which would become the foundation for the Enlightenment and fuel the French and American Revolutions.
Abstract This paper examines one of the more historically consequential revolutions in Western history, looking at a specific set of precedents that lead up to the English Civil War of 1642. This war changed in many ways the manner in which the English thought about their government, and it rewrote the nature of power relations among the different national and quasi-national factions in the British Isles. This paper examines one particular element of the English Revolution, looking at the Scottish Covenanter Party and its reaction to the Anglican Prayer Book. This is not to say that the English Civil War was essentially or primarily a religious war, although certainly differences over religion played into it, but the roots of the series of political upheavals that collectively constitute the English Civil War were based as much in economics as in religion, and as much in philosophy (or at least political philosophy) as in economics. Before looking specifically at the effects of the Scottish Covenanter Party and its reaction to the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, the paper summarizes, in broad terms, the overall causes, religious and otherwise, of this war that began in that period following the Renaissance during which modern ideas of governance and of the rights of individuals were being developed.
From the Paper "Not only did the introduction of the Anglican Prayer Book cause riots in Scotland, but it also prompted a group of Scots to invade England under the banner of the Covenanters. Fearful for the safety of his throne, Charles called Parliament into session to ask them for funds to defeat the Covenanters. But Parliament (some to thwart the power of a hated king, some because they sided with the Covenanters that the Anglican Prayer Book was too Catholic) would not give Charles the authority to raise money to fight the Scots so Charles dissolved Parliament."
Tags: James, Catholic, Court, of, Star, Chamber, Henrietta, Maria
Abstract This paper follows the English rules of King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, Queen Mary I, and Queen Elizabeth I, with particular attention to their effect on religion. All influential religious laws and acts created by these rulers are mentioned.
From the Paper "Throughout the majority of European history, religion and politics were inseparable. From King Henry VIII's reign to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, this concept continued to prove true for the country of England. Eighteen year-old Henry VIII became King of England in 1509. As he came to the throne, England was a Roman Catholic country controlled by Pope Clement VII. A devout Catholic himself, King Henry VIII began his leadership by defending the Church against the newly-developed Protestant faith."
This paper discusses the English Civil War of the 17th century, which changed England forever and altered many cultural aspects from religious to government.
Abstract This paper explains that the English Civil War, (also called the 'Puritan Revolution' or 'English Revolution') was really a series of wars fought during the mid-1600s in England and exacerbated by battles with the Scottish, the Irish, and the Welsh. The author points out that not only did the Puritans oppose King Charles but also the middle class opposed the wealthy and the titled; the result of the revolution was that the wealthy and titled no longer held all the power and that the Puritans ousted the Anglican Church but, at the death of their leader Oliver Cromwell, the Anglicans returned as the Church of England. The paper relates that the English Civil War gained the territories of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, which would form the backbone of the British Empire.
From the Paper "Perhaps the biggest difference in England from 1600 to 1700 related directly to the outcome of the English Civil War. In 1600, a popular queen, Elizabeth I was on the throne, and England was supreme in many facets of the world, including her naval superiority and her economy. In 1600, the throne was secure, and England was relatively peaceful. By 1700, England had been a Commonwealth, ruled by the self-righteous Puritan Oliver Cromwell. King Charles had been executed, and the Puritans, who had opposed him, had rid themselves of the ruling bishops of the Catholic Church. The economy and trade had begun to rise during Tudor times, but by 1700, there was a distinct middle class in England, and it was many of these people who had risen up against the king and attempted to find a voice for themselves in English politics."
Abstract This paper examines the life of Anne Boleyn, the second of Henry VIII's six wives, and mother of Elizabeth I. It follows her life from childhood to her execution, highlighting her impact on British history.
From the Paper "She is the subject of numerous poems and songs, and mother to Elizabeth I, the most famous of all England's monarchs. She captivated noblemen, and even the king of England. Though not a beautiful woman, Anne Boleyn had an allure that men found irresistible. It was this allure that became her triumph and ultimately, her downfall. The second of the infamous Henry VIII's wives, Anne plotted and planned to become queen of England, a position that she held for less than four years before she was brought up on charges of high treason. Despite the fact that she was only in her twenties when she was executed, Anne left a lasting mark on the English monarchy and the whole of British history."
Abstract This paper is an examination of the Pietist religious movement which stressed education and hard work, and how it influenced the Prussian State of the Holy Roman Empire during the early eighteenth century. By improving society's social values, as well as disciplining and strengthening the military, the Pietist movement's influence, under Frederick William I, made Prussia a stronger and more stable force in the empire.
There is a good bibliography, but no footnotes, or endnotes.
From the Paper "The Pietist movement first gained a foothold in Brandenburg-Prussia following the exile of Spener and Francke from Saxony in 1690. In Brandenburg, the University of Halle was established, and Spener and Francke began preaching freely, in Berlin and the university respectively. Frederick I banned the two from being spoken out against by Lutheran opposition, and even channeled religious debates through them for their opinions. This close alignment with the Hohenzollern court proved vital to the spread of Pietism throughout Prussia under Frederick William I. The popularity and reputation of the University of Halle, which attracted more than 1200 students in just twenty-five years, also helped the new movement flourish."
Abstract This paper examines the life and times of Sir Thomas More. The author gives a brief biography of the great English writer whose contributions to both literature and history cannot be ignored. The paper looks how his opposition to the King becoming the head of the Church of England instead of the Pope cost him his life, but made him a saint in the eyes of the Catholic Church. It looks at his writings, especially those written during his years of incarceration awaiting execution. The author pays particular attention to "Utopia" which many feel has the same weight as Plato's "Republic" and reflects his disenchantment with the morals and values held by many Europeans at the time.
From the Paper "The late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries were also an important stage in the Renaissance, a period which witness a growth of art and a renewed interest in classical Greece and Rome. Beginning in Italy, the Renaissance soon flowed throughout Europe, introducing an increased emphasis on science and reason and producing an intellectual movement known as humanism. Humanists, including More and Erasmus, remained committed to Christianity but also believed in the concepts of the dignity of man, and man's power of reason. By emphasizing these scientific and intellectual beliefs in their writings, the humanists influenced many scholars to seek a new understanding of religion and of society. One of these was Martin Luther (1483-1546), whose challenge to the Catholic Church by posting his ?95 Theses? to the door of a church in Wittenberg led to the period of history known as the Reformation. This signaled a time of intense political and religious conflict throughout Europe, most graphically demonstrated by the mass imprisonment and execution of non Catholics carried out by Torquemada during the Spanish Inquisition's reign of terror. In England also, there developed a Counter-Reformation which sought the persecution of Protestants, one of the leaders being Sir Thomas More. Then, in 1534, Henry VIII, in order to obtain a divorce, broke with the Catholic Church, making England protestant and declaring himself the head of a new Anglican Church."
Abstract The following paper discusses the theories held by the Catholic Church and those held by its detractors. The detractors of this Catholic doctrine assert that it is unnecessary to believe in her Immaculate Conception in the whole scheme of things but if that were to be true they would denying their congregation proof positive in God's magnificence as well as the powerlessness of the devil.
From the Paper ?Between the 11th February, 1858 and 16th July, 1858, a teenaged girl, Bernadette, was visited 18 times by "a lady wearing a lovely white dress with a bright belt" and who bore on each foot ?a pale yellow rose, the same color as her rosary beads.? (Menezes, 2000, 1) Upon examination, the Catholic Church agreed that the apparitions were indeed those of the Blessed Virgin Mary. What was intriguing was the Virgin Mary's reference to herself:
? . . . At my third request her face took on a very serious expression, and at the same time an expression of deep humility . . . Joining her palms as if for prayer, she raised them to the height of her breast . . . She looked up to heaven . . . then slowly opening her hands and bending down towards me, she said to me in a voice in which one could sense a slight trembling, ?I am the Immaculate Conception.? (Menezes, 2000, 1)
