PDF The Thirty-Nine Articles: Their Place and Use Today by James I. Packer; Roger T. Beckwith in History

Review

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful. An Important and Relatively Unique Work for AnglicansBy Fr. Charles ErlandsonWhile many commentaries on the 39 Articles were written in the past; particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries; not nearly as many works have been written which discuss the place and use of the Articles. Packer and Beckwith's "The Thirty-nine Articles: Their Place and Use Today" is therefore an important and practically unique work; and one that should be of great use to Anglicans. Many of the earlier commentaries on the Articles are still excellent reference works; but without an understanding of the importance and place of the Articles in the 21st century the point of any commentary is a moot one.This treatise on the place of the Articles by two traditional Anglicans who are also scholars is a very welcome one. While Packer and Beckwith are Evangelical Anglicans; they are also; in a sense; "old school" Evangelicals who still value the role of the Prayer Book. In other words; they have a firm grasp of historic Anglican identity. At a time when Anglicans; including orthodox Anglicans; are confused about their identity; a discussion of the place of the Articles in Anglicanism; such as this one; is essential. This is especially true in North America; where the newly formed orthodox province; the ACNA; has the Articles as one of their theological norms.For all Anglicans who want to learn more about their identity and especially those who understand that the Thirty-nine Articles are an important part of Anglican identity; this work is an invaluable one. I highly recommend it.Packer and Beckwith discuss the Articles under the following topics:1. Introduction2. The Silence of the ArticlesA. The Articles have No Voice in Anglican Theology (this is their assessment of the way things are - not the way they should be)B. The Articles have No Voice in Anglican LiturgyC. The Articles have No Voice in Anglican Community3. The History of the ArticlesA. The Establishing of the Articles as a Doctrinal StandardB. The Developing of Different Traditions of InterpretationC. The Devaluing of Clerical Subscription4. A Place for the ArticlesA. What authority may the Articles claim?B. What functions can the Articles fulfill?C. What responses do the Articles require?5. A Use for the ArticlesA. AssimilationB. ApplicationC. AugmentationAppendix: Supplementing the Articles1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. historian buffBy Geoff Nickersontheology history is so fascinating. It give me a much better understanding of 'how it was'; and blends well with what I am studying at the moment; Have to admit; an avid history buff. The thirty-nine articles gives me that historical insight. Recommend this book at all historians0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A good readBy CustomerVery interesting scholarship from a 19th century British point-of-view.