Thirty-nine Articles
In July 1536, the Church of England adopted its first post-papal doctrinal statement known as the Ten Articles. This document emerged from a period of intense confusion where conservative and reforming clergy fought to shape the church's direction. The Ten Articles served as a rushed interim compromise between these opposing factions. Historians have described this initial effort as both a victory for Lutheranism and a success for Catholic resistance. Its provisions were often labeled confusing by those who studied them closely.
The first five articles dealt with doctrines commanded expressly by God that were necessary for salvation. These included baptism, penance, the Eucharist, justification, and the Bible alongside ecumenical creeds. The core doctrine was justification by faith, defined as remission of sin through the mercy and grace of the Father. Good works would follow justification rather than precede it. However, Lutheran influence was diluted with qualifications requiring contrition and faith joined with charity.
To the disappointment of conservatives, only three traditional sacraments appeared in the text: baptism, the Eucharist, and penance. The Articles affirmed the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist under the form and figure of bread and wine. More controversially for reformers, the text maintained penance as a sacrament and preserved the priest's authority to grant divine absolution in confession. Articles six to ten focused on secondary issues like purgatory which was placed in non-essential categories.
In 1537, Thomas Cromwell convened a national synod producing The Institution of the Christian Man popularly called The Bishops' Book. This document preserved semi-Lutheranism while restoring four missing sacraments: confirmation, marriage, holy orders, and extreme unction. Conservatives argued for all seven sacraments while Cranmer acknowledged only baptism and the Eucharist. The final version restored these rites but placed them in a separate section emphasizing a difference in dignity and necessity.
Henry VIII personally revised the Bishops' Book in August 1537 before it could be published. He altered wording of both the Ten Commandments and the Lord's Prayer to weaken emphasis on justification by faith. This revised version never received official authorization from Crown or Convocation. Consequently, the original Ten Articles remained the official doctrinal standard until 1539 when Parliament passed the Act of Six Articles.
Fearful of diplomatic isolation and a Catholic alliance, Henry VIII continued outreach to the Lutheran Schmalkaldic League during May 1538. Three German theologians arrived in London including Franz Burchard vice-chancellor of Saxony and Georg von Boineburg doctor of law. They held conferences with English bishops at Lambeth Palace through September. The English delegation included Cranmer as chairman alongside Nicholas Heath representing Protestant interests.
Conservative bishops Sampson and Stokesley refused to accept Protestant arguments regarding private masses compulsory clerical celibacy and withholding communion wine from laity. These practices were considered essential because the Greek Church practiced them. As the King was unwilling to break with these customs all Germans left England by the 1st of October 1538. Meanwhile impatient Protestants took matters into their own hands saying mass in English rather than Latin and marrying without authorization.
In May 1539 a new Parliament met where Lord Chancellor Audley stated the King desired religious uniformity. A committee of four conservative and four reformist bishops examined doctrine under Cromwell's leadership. On May 16th Duke of Norfolk noted the committee had not agreed on anything proposing six controversial doctrinal questions became basis for Six Articles. These questions covered whether Eucharist could be true body without transubstantiation and whether vows of chastity needed observation as divine law.
Over next month these questions argued in Parliament and Convocation with active participation of King himself. Final product affirmed traditional teachings on all but sixth question. Communion in one kind compulsory clerical celibacy vows of chastity and votive masses remained legitimate forms. Protestants achieved minor victory on auricular confession declared expedient necessary retained but not required by divine law. The article defined real presence using terms stating natural body blood present really under form bread wine after consecration no substance remains except Christ God man.
Act of Six Articles became law June 1539 unlike Ten Articles giving statutory authority to document. Harsh penalties attached violations including burning without recantation opportunity denial transubstantiation or hanging life imprisonment married priests. Bishops Latimer Shaxton outspoken opponents forced resign dioceses following act passage. Act repealed Treason Act 1547 during reign Edward VI.
When Henry VIII succeeded by son Edward VI in 1547 Church adopted stronger Protestant identity. Book Common Prayer 1549 authorized reformed liturgy while 1552 version even explicitly Protestant. Cranmer envisioned reform canon law creation concise doctrinal statement becoming Forty-two Articles work delayed efforts forge consensus among various Protestant churches counter Catholic Council Trent. When impossible turned attention defining what English Church believed.
Late 1552 first edition produced form Forty-Five Articles submitted comment revision approved Parliament June 1553 number reduced Forty-two drafted Cranmer small group fellow Protestants. Title page claimed articles approved Convocation reality never discussed adopted clerical body. They also never approved Parliament issued Royal Mandate the 19th of June 1553 all clergy schoolmasters university members required subscribe them theology described restrained Calvinism others point strong Lutheran influence.
Edward died 1553 coronation Mary I reunion Church England Catholic Church articles never enforced. After Mary's death became basis Thirty-nine Articles. In 1563 Convocation met under Archbishop Parker revise articles passed only 39 42 Elizabeth reduced number 38 throwing Article 29 avoid offending subjects Catholic leanings. In 1571 despite opposition Bishop Edmund Gheast Article 29 re-inserted declaring wicked eat Body Christ done following queen excommunication Pope Pius V 1570.
That act destroyed hope reconciliation Rome no longer necessary fear Article 29 offend Catholic sensibilities. Articles increased Thirty-nine ratified Queen bishops clergy required assent. The final document incorporated into Book Common Prayer helping standardize English language lasting effect religion United Kingdom elsewhere wide use.
Articles explain Church of England sacramental theology recognizing only two: baptism Lord Supper five rites called sacraments Catholics identified corrupted imitations Apostles confirmation penance extreme unction states life allowed Scriptures holy orders marriage. Regeneration gift new life membership church forgiveness sins adoption children God received through baptism. Articles state infant baptism most agreeable institution Christ continue practiced church.
Lord Supper participants become partakers body blood Christ receive spiritual benefits Christ death cross. Partaking understood terms Catholic doctrine transubstantiation condemned repugnant plain words Scripture instead declare change substance bread wine. Participants fed body Christ Holy Spirit faith articles declare offering Christ once made perfect redemption propitiation satisfaction sins whole world meant repudiation popular medieval idea Mass sacrifice Christ offered forgiveness sins living dead purgatory.
Radical Protestant belief sacraments outward signs person's faith denied articles. While Catholic Church claimed seven sacraments articles recognize only two: baptism Lord Supper. Five rites called sacraments Catholics identified either corrupted imitations Apostles confirmation penance extreme unction states life allowed Scriptures holy orders marriage. Sacraments signs divine grace God works invisibly effectively people lives creating strengthening faith believers.
Test Act 1672 made adherence Articles requirement holding civil office England until repeal 1828 students Oxford University expected sign up passing Oxford University Act 1854. Church England clergy members 19th century members Oxford Cambridge Universities required subscribe Articles starting 1865 clergy affirmed doctrine contained Articles Book Common Prayer agreeable Scripture preach contradiction 1975 clergy required acknowledge Articles historic formularies Church England bear witness faith revealed Scripture contained creeds.
Church Ireland similar declaration clergy other churches Anglican Communion make such requirement US Episcopal Church never required subscription Articles influence Articles Anglican thought doctrine practice profound Articles confession faith Anglican tradition Anglican discourse regularly cited interpreted clarify doctrine practice important concrete manifestation Chicago, Lambeth Quadrilateral incorporates Articles VI VIII XXV XXXVI broad articulation fundamental Anglican identity.
Each 44 member churches Anglican Communion free adopt authorize own official documents Articles officially normative all Anglican Churches neither Athanasian Creed doctrinal documents agreed Anglican Communion Apostles Creed Nicene Creed AD 325 Chicago, Lambeth Quadrilateral besides documents authorized liturgical formularies Prayer Book Ordinal normative several provincial editions Prayer Books authorized alternative liturgies identical share greater smaller amount family resemblance specific edition Prayer Book binding entire Communion.
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Common questions
When did the Church of England adopt its first post-papal doctrinal statement known as the Ten Articles?
The Church of England adopted the Ten Articles in July 1536. This document emerged from a period of intense confusion where conservative and reforming clergy fought to shape the church's direction.
What happened to the Thirty-nine Articles after Mary I became Queen of England in 1553?
After Mary I succeeded Edward VI in 1553, the articles were never enforced during her reign. Following Mary's death, these articles became the basis for the final Thirty-nine Articles established under Elizabeth I.
How many sacraments does the Church of England recognize according to the Thirty-nine Articles compared to Catholic teaching?
The Thirty-nine Articles recognize only two sacraments: baptism and the Lord Supper. The text states that five other rites called sacraments by Catholics are either corrupted imitations or states of life allowed by Scripture such as confirmation, holy orders, and marriage.
On what date was the Act of Six Articles passed into law in 1539?
The Act of Six Articles became law in June 1539 unlike the Ten Articles which gave statutory authority to the document. Harsh penalties attached to violations included burning without recantation opportunity denial transubstantiation or hanging life imprisonment married priests.
When did Convocation revise the articles to pass only 39 out of 42 under Archbishop Parker?
Convocation met in 1563 under Archbishop Parker to revise the articles and passed only 39 out of 42. Elizabeth reduced the number from 42 to 38 initially but Article 29 was re-inserted in 1571 despite opposition from Bishop Edmund Gheast.