The Anglican Church in North America's Fundamental Declarations: Revised and Simplified

By Robin G. Jordan

On Wednesday I briefly posted an article containing a proposal for the revision of the Fundamental Declarations of the Anglican Church in North America. I subsequently deleted the article because I thought that the proposal was not simple enough. This proposal reduces the Fundamental Declarations to four declarations. It eliminates all references to the interpretation of Scripture, the Ecumenical Councils, the sacraments, and the interpretation of the Thirty-Nine Articles, and episcopacy on the basis that they are superfluous, represent a misinterpretation of the purpose of the Lambeth Quadrilateral, or express a party line.

The first two declarations embody with what has been historic Anglicanism’s longstanding positions on the Holy Scriptures and the creeds. The third declaration is unambiguous in its affirmation of the Thirty Nine Articles (1571) and The Book of Common Prayer (1662) as historic Anglicanism’ longstanding standard of doctrine and worship. It is adapted from the Constitution of the Anglican Church of Australia. The fourth declaration is adapted from the Montreal Declaration of Anglican Essentials.

1. We accept and uphold the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God, which contains all things that are necessary for salvation, as the only source of the Church’s doctrine, and as the Church’s final authority in matters of faith and practice.

2. We accept and uphold the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed as the chief confessions of the Christian faith.

3. We accept and uphold the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion of 1571 and The Book of Common Prayer of 1662, and the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining ,and Consecrating Deacons, Priests, and Bishops, annexed thereto, and commonly known as the Ordinal, as the authorized standard of doctrine and worship of this church. No alteration to or permitted variations from the Articles or services contained therein shall contravene any principle of doctrine or worship laid down in such standard.

4. Within the priesthood of all believers we esteem the ministry of word and sacrament to which deacons, presbyters, and bishops are set apart by the Ordinal.