Anglicans

Definition

Anglicans are members of the Church of England or the Anglican Communion, a global Christian denomination that traces its roots back to the Church of England. The term 'Anglican' refers to the Church of England and its worldwide affiliates.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Anglicans believe in a via media, or middle way, between Catholicism and Protestantism, retaining elements of both traditions.
2. The Church of England was established in 1534 when King Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and declared himself the head of the English church.
3. Anglicans follow the Book of Common Prayer, a collection of liturgies and prayers that unifies the Anglican Communion worldwide.
4. The Anglican Church played a significant role in the colonization of North America, with many Anglicans settling in the Restoration Colonies under Charles II.
5. Anglicanism emphasizes the importance of tradition, reason, and scripture in interpreting religious doctrine and practice.

Review Questions

• Explain the origins and key beliefs of the Anglican Church.
  • The Anglican Church, also known as the Church of England, was established in the 16th century when King Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and declared himself the head of the English church. Anglicans believe in a middle way between Catholicism and Protestantism, retaining elements of both traditions. They emphasize the importance of tradition, reason, and scripture in interpreting religious doctrine and practice, and follow the Book of Common Prayer as a unifying liturgical text across the Anglican Communion.
• Describe the role of the Anglican Church in the Restoration Colonies under Charles II.
  • The Anglican Church played a significant role in the colonization of North America, with many Anglicans settling in the Restoration Colonies under Charles II. These colonies, such as Virginia and Maryland, were established with the Church of England as the official state church, and Anglican beliefs and practices were deeply embedded in the social and political fabric of the colonies. The Anglican Church's presence in the Restoration Colonies helped solidify the English monarch's control over the colonies and reinforced the Royal Supremacy, the doctrine that the English monarch is the supreme head of the Church of England.
• Analyze the impact of the Anglican Church's global expansion and the Anglican Communion on the development of Christianity worldwide.
  • The Anglican Communion, the global community of Anglican and Episcopal churches in full communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, has played a significant role in the development of Christianity worldwide. As the Anglican Church expanded through colonization and missionary efforts, it established a presence in many parts of the world, contributing to the globalization of Christianity. The Anglican Communion's emphasis on unity within diversity, as well as its balance between tradition, reason, and scripture, has influenced the evolution of Christian thought and practice in various cultural contexts. The Anglican Communion's worldwide influence has also led to ongoing debates and tensions within the broader Christian community, as the church navigates issues of doctrine, authority, and social change in an increasingly interconnected world.

Related terms

Church of England: The state church of England, established in the 16th century when King Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and became the head of the Church of England.

Anglican Communion: The global community of Anglican and Episcopal churches that are in full communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion.

Royal Supremacy: The doctrine that the English monarch is the supreme head of the Church of England, with the power to appoint bishops and make decisions about the church's governance.