Part 315: I believe.....

At Matins and Evening Prayer, in the Church of England according to the Book of Common Prayer,  the Apostles' Creed is recited by the 

minister/priest and the congregation. There are exceptions for Matins that need not detain us. 

It is fair to say that following "I believe" it may be asserted that there are different interpretations of what comes next.  It has been said that one may regard the creeds at spiritual/conceptual statements, rather than a recitation of facts; or as a mixture of the two approaches. Thus " I believe" may be said with a clear conscience by conservatives, liberals, progressives, evangelicals, high church, low church, protestant or catholic.

Since its inception the Church of England has held in tension Catholic and Protestant theology. The various Books of Common Prayer changed the emphasis from time to time.  The current version is a study in ambiguity.  For many years conservative evangelicals, high church, liberals and catholics rubbed along whilst viewing each other with suspicion.

The ordination of women led to some departures to the Roman Catholic Ordinariate and the development of alternative episcopal oversight. Now, a further split is threatened by proposals concerning the blessing of same-sex marriage couples. The conservative Evangelicals are seeking the establishment of a new province for those unable to accept the blessings. Schism or separation are threatened.  The uneasy unity is broken, probably beyond repair.  Deep theological differences are on display, mostly centered on interpretation of scripture, that are irreconcilable.