The Church of England, commonly known as Anglicanism, is one of the oldest and most influential branches of Christianity. It has its roots in 16th-century Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin who sought to reform the Roman Catholic Church. Since then, it has grown into a global religious movement with millions of members around the world. This article explores how Anglicanism developed and evolved over time, tracing its history from its origins during the English Reformation up through today’s modern era.
The Beginnings: The English Reformation
Anglicanism can be traced back to King Henry VIII’s (1491-1547) break with Rome in 1534 when he declared himself head of a new church separate from papal authority—the Church of England or “Anglican” Church. This split was part of an era often referred to as “The English Reformation.” During this period there were major reforms made by top ecclesiastical leaders such as Thomas Cranmer (1489 –1556), Archbishop Matthew Parker (1504–75), and father Richard Hooker (1554–1600). All three men had ties to Europe’s major Reformers, such as Luther and Calvin.
The Elizabethan Settlement
When Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) rose to power in 1558 she brought with her a move towards further reform of the Anglican Church. She declared that her religious identity would be “Anglican” as opposed to Roman Catholic or Protestant, thereby establishing an official state religion—the Elizabethan Settlement—which still remains today. This period also saw the introduction of various doctrines based on Biblical teachings, including clerical celibacy and transubstantiation (the belief that bread and wine are changed into Christ’s body and blood during Communion). Moreover, it was during this period when the Thirty-Nine Articles were finalized in 1571 —a set of doctrinal beliefs held by many Anglicans even now.
The Age of Reason & The Oxford Movement
In the 18th century Britain experienced what is known as ‘The Age Of Reason’ which encouraged greater education for all people regardless of their social status and opened up new thinking about life from scientific perspectives rather than solely through religious norms. This lead to some members within the church embracing deist ideas which suggested that God had created but did not interfere with human affairs.
The early 19th century saw a renewed focus on the core religious values of Anglicanism, often referred to as The Oxford Movement. This involved returning to some traditional Church practices such as daily morning and evening prayers, fasting during Lent and publicly reading the Bible. In addition, their beliefs also included things like apostolic succession (the belief that bishops can trace an unbroken line back to the original apostles). They were strongly opposed by those who argued for maintaining Enlightenment ideals in church doctrine which lead to fierce theological debates between High-Churchmen and Low-Churchmen.
Bishop George Augustus Selwyn & Ritualism
It was Bishop George Augustus Selwyn (1809–78) who brought about reform within New Zealand’s Anglican Church during his tenure from 1841–68. He sparked controversy with his “ritualistic” ideas—a return to pre-Reformation ceremonies such as vestments worn by clergy members and incense used in services — which were at odds with many English Protestants’ views of proper worship services. Despite this opposition he continued introducing ritualistic elements into the church until they become seen more favorably over time due primarily to their beauty rather than doctrinal differences.
Anglicanism Worldwide
By the mid-late 19th century, Anglicanism had spread throughout the British Empire and into other countries. The Church of England was established as a branch in Australia and New Zealand, while in Canada it became known as the Anglican Church of Canada. In South Africa, Zimbabwe, India and Pakistan it is known as “The Episcopal Church.” Moreover, there are churches in Europe such as Barcelona’s La Iglesia de Jesu Cristo and even one located off the coast of Chile called “Isla Chiloe.”
Contemporary Developments
Today many people identify with an Anglican denomination which has become both more liberalized yet still fundamentally grounded upon traditional teachings from scripture (the Bible) regarding man’s relationship to God. This includes topics like social justice issues; for example some argue that same sex relationships should be accepted or rejected by church doctrine whereas others take an opposing stance on this matter due to its implications for biblical teaching about marriage being between one man and one woman only.
Some denominations also maintain certain rituals such Prayers Book services where worshipers recite liturgies from ancient texts during special occasions like Christmas Eve or Easter Sunday. Finally, contemporary developments within this religion include interfaith dialogue through organizations like Churches Together England which aims to improve relationships between different faiths.
Conclusion
The history of Anglicanism spans several centuries, tracing its roots back to the Reformation period when it emerged as an independent branch of Christianity separate from Rome. Over time it has evolved and expanded into a global movement that is comprised of many different denominations, each offering their own unique perspective on faith and doctrine. Today there are numerous views about what constitutes “proper” worship within these various churches yet one thing remains constant—the underlying belief that Jesus Christ offers salvation through grace alone.