Article 38
In the wider emerging church movement we see experiments with a new monasticism and with intentional communities, often drawing on Anabaptist or Mennonite roots.
Interesting in this regard for Episcopalians is Article 38 of the Articles of Religion (used to be in the back of the old BOCP but aren't anymore) which reads that "The Riches and Goods of Christian Men are not in common, as touching the right, title and possession of the same, as certain Anabaptists do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesses, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability."
My reaction to that, with apologies to the medieval Church Fathers (it's my understanding this Article is from the 16th century), is "says who?" Could Article 38 be a cultural expression rather than a Biblical doctrine? Is it perhaps time to reconsider Article 38 in a time when the Holy Spirit seems to be prodding many of our brethren in the direction of a new monasticism and intentional communities?
Interesting in this regard for Episcopalians is Article 38 of the Articles of Religion (used to be in the back of the old BOCP but aren't anymore) which reads that "The Riches and Goods of Christian Men are not in common, as touching the right, title and possession of the same, as certain Anabaptists do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesses, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability."
My reaction to that, with apologies to the medieval Church Fathers (it's my understanding this Article is from the 16th century), is "says who?" Could Article 38 be a cultural expression rather than a Biblical doctrine? Is it perhaps time to reconsider Article 38 in a time when the Holy Spirit seems to be prodding many of our brethren in the direction of a new monasticism and intentional communities?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Karen Ward on -
Our mission church in Seattle is set up with a neo monastic vibe, with a rule of life, spiritual practices and virtues. I am called 'Abbess' and we have four house church communities similar to Catholic Worker with live in neo monastics and an 'abbey church' The Fremont Abbey in Seattle. We look to Anglican sources (Benedictine) for our inspiration of 'Ora et Labora (prayer/.liturgy and work) as are Home, Oxford, Moot, London and others. The whole Anabaptist stream of this is there in the wider emerging church, but for us, our inspiration is Anglican/Celtic as our our many of friend in the UK and folk like St. Peter an St. Paul Episcopal in Portland, OR (see Fr. Kurt Neilson's book 'Urban Iona'). They were on the cover of the 'Living Church this month.The monastic groups in the Anglican tribe give us much to learn from. Like, I spent a week with the Anglican Sisters of St. Francis in the Mission District of San Fran and learned so much. I plan to go back every year for my 'Abbess retreat.'
Cheers
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Permalink Reply by Leah Gregg on -
I think the meaning of this article is more along the lines of "not necessarily in common." Which is to say they would be against compelling Christians to do so, but maybe not against a voluntary association. Check out Little Gidding for an early example of "neo-monasticism " in Anglicanism
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