Forty Days With The Thirty Nine Articles Of Religion

The Thirty-nine Articles of Religion of the Church of England. Are they a dusty relic of the sixteenth century, with little to say to Anglican Christians in this brave new world of the twenty-first century? Or do they form a statement that is ideally suited to strengthen and unify them in their faith? Robert Langmaid argues that the latter is the case. He believes that the articles, which were written by English Reformers in 1533 and put in their current revised form in 1662, provide fertile ground for the growth of churches and believers in the Communion. Furthermore, he writes, the articles not only can inform individual and corporate discussions concerning Anglican identity, but can also serve as a basis of spiritual meditation. How is it that the articles can do all this? Because the Reformers and the English church were careful to ground them securely in the Bible and in the first four general councils of the Christian church and the three ecumenical statements of belief (the Nicene, Apostles', and Athanasian creeds). In fact, Langmaid argues, a new consideration of the articles will call Anglicans to renew their historical allegiance to the Bible and the Lordship of Christ and thereby provide the backdrop for greater and more effective diversity throughout the Anglican Communion. Besides taking the reader through forty days of meditating on the articles, this valuable contribution to Anglican and ecumenical thought includes two essays on the Articles of Religion and Anglican identity and a version of the articles in modern English by Peter Toon.

In this book, The Christ of the Forty Days, A.B. Simpson tells of the overwhelming experiences of the risen Christ. A.B. Simpson scripturally tells of the 40 days between Christ's resurrection and ascension, His appearance many times to His disciples, His teaching them about the nature of discipleship and His own divine nature and power they need to "go into all the world." In The Christ of the 40 Days, it is with this same power, that A.B. Simpson affirms is no less needed today to accomplish God's work today in all the world. The Christ of the Forty Days is a triumphant book of overpowering declaration and peace. He wins, He has defeated the aggressor, and Christ has been declared the victor! Christ is not an untouchable unapproachable Christ but is the opposite, knowing that we need Him and allows Himself to be a truly understanding Christ. He is "able to 'sympathize with our weaknesses' and ready to help us in our times of need." But he will also teach us during these times of trials and stress. He even took the opportunity to challenge his disciples during this most stressful time in their lives to "go into all the world and preach the gospel," sending them a clear message of that their real work had just started. The Christ of the Forty Days was originally published in 1883.

This book offers the opportunity for a personal spiritual journey through Lent by praying with the assigned readings for this liturgical season.