What do Episcopalians Believe?
Episcopalians in America are part of the Anglican Communion - our Mother Church being that of the Church of England. The beliefs of Anglicans/Episcopalians can be considered quite diverse. The official standard is the Book of Common Prayer but some parts of that book are more clearly doctrinal than others. The Catechism of the Episcopal Church summarizes the faith in question-and-answer format.
The ecumenical creeds, both Nicene and Apostles, are used by the Anglican Communion in its worship day by day and week by week. They are ancient and universal statements of Christian faith. In addition, many Anglican churches follow ancient tradition and include the Athanasian Creed among their statements of faith.
The Diocese of Texas offers an 'Anglican primer' online, and you might like to look at the sections on Scripture, tradition, and reason in the church; the Book of Common Prayer; the Sacraments; the Creeds; and 'being Episcopalian'. This latter section is directed particularly to people in the USA wondering about the Episcopal Church.
Another very important ancient statement of faith is the Chalcedonian formula, which defined the limits of Christological orthodoxy.
The Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral describes the general ecumenical principles of Anglicans.
The Thirty-Nine Articles were important at the Reformation, but are less so today.
For more information, here are some other informative sites to browse:
The ecumenical creeds, both Nicene and Apostles, are used by the Anglican Communion in its worship day by day and week by week. They are ancient and universal statements of Christian faith. In addition, many Anglican churches follow ancient tradition and include the Athanasian Creed among their statements of faith.
The Diocese of Texas offers an 'Anglican primer' online, and you might like to look at the sections on Scripture, tradition, and reason in the church; the Book of Common Prayer; the Sacraments; the Creeds; and 'being Episcopalian'. This latter section is directed particularly to people in the USA wondering about the Episcopal Church.
Another very important ancient statement of faith is the Chalcedonian formula, which defined the limits of Christological orthodoxy.
The Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral describes the general ecumenical principles of Anglicans.
The Thirty-Nine Articles were important at the Reformation, but are less so today.
For more information, here are some other informative sites to browse:
- The Episcopal Church (national church's website)
- Anglicans Online
- The Episcopal Cafe (news blog about Episcopal stuff & other news affecting Episcopalians)
