From time to time I attended Choral Evensong according to the Book Of Common Prayer at another church. It had a liberal outlook, was somewhat high church, and the in joke was that sermons consisted of the vicar paraphrasing Guardian newspaper editorials. The music was magnificent.
Occasionally I would venture into the morning service at the local Anglo-Catholic church. Mass. There was also an evening service of Benediction and a confessional box, numerous statues, smells and bells and an altar that could be circled round by the priest who was addressed as 'Father'. Prayer Book used sparingly but a cornucopia of Catholic additions which the Roman Catholic Church ditched at Vatican 2. Yet this was a Church Of England parish. More ritual than the Roman Catholic Church down the road!
The variety intrigued me then and does still. The Book of Common Prayer is a masterpiece of theological compromise, of ambivalence and ambiguity. It is used by protestants and catholics co-existing in the Church of England. There are significant theological differences, based on understanding of scripture, between evangelical, liberal and catholic persuasions within the Church of England.
(The Prayer Book has been replaced in many churches by new approved orders of service or the use of the hymn sandwich approach beloved by the evangelical free churches.)
At times the three groups give a very good impression of loathing each other. The evangelicals and catholics united in an informal alliance in a bid to stop female ordination. It will be interesting to see how they line up on the issue of gay marriage at the General Synod in February 2023.
You see, dear reader, bible interpretation and theology affects lives. it is not a dry, academic pursuit divorced from reality. It is relevant, present and for some, the consequences are distress and pain.
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