Chapter 11 - Change and continuity in doctrine

Question 1

What happened to Liturgy and the Eucharist after the Break with Rome?

Answer 1

• Following the Break with Rome, the liturgy of the Church in England remained unchanged from that which had been used before in 1529
• Church services after 1539 remained focused on the Eucharist, or ‘mass’
• The liturgy of the Church reflected the centrality of the saving grace of Christ’s body in Mass through the act of transubstantiation

Question 2

What was the case of John Lambert in 1536?

Answer 2

• Lambert was accused of heresy by the Duke of Norfolk, but escaped punishment until 1538, when he was put on trial for denying the real presence of Christ, and the doctrine of transubstantiation
• Archbishop Thomas Cranmer condemned this views even though later he adopted them himself
• Henry attended the trial and intervened to ask Lambert questions on his beliefs
• Lambert was burnt for heresy and Henry passed a royal proclamation on the same day upholding the real presence of transubstantiation and clerical celibacy, forbiding heretical literature

Question 3

What happened to the state of the Bible after the Break with Rome?

Answer 3

• After Cromwell’s injunctions, a bible was required in each parish church
• The English Bible was placed in every church in England and Wales from 1538
• Henry argued ‘the most precious jewel, the Word of God is disputed, rhymed, sung and jangled in every ale house and tavern’
• The front piece of the Bible claimed Henry was Supreme Head of the Church, and Cranmer and Cromwell were distributing it

Question 4

What were the doctrinal disputes that occurred?

Answer 4

• The years between 1536-1547 witnessed significant developments of religious beliefs and practices beyond the dissolution of the monasteries
• Henry VIII and parliament were influenced by the competing faction
• Henry’s Church was a Church based on the word of God, with himself as Head and with an essentially Catholic doctrine

Question 5

What did the Ten Articles entail?

Answer 5

• The sacraments of Baptism, Penance, the Eucharist. The remaining four sacraments were not removed, but lost
• The body and blood of Christ are really present in the elements of the Eucharist
• The nature of justification: the Ten Articles suggest that a sinner would be saved through faith but that good works are necessary
• Images; the laity should not pray to images, only God, the Cross and the Virgin Mary
• The intercession of the saints: the saints could intercede with God, but only God could answer prayers
• Rites and ceremonies: all rituals were to be removed other than those named in the Act which were conductive to devotion

Question 6

What was the Bishops’ Book?

Answer 6

• Cromwell ordered a number of bishops to resolve a range of doctrinal and liturgical issues and to determine canon law
• The Bishops’ Book entailed that - it was quite Lutheran where salvation by faith was emphasised and no mention of transubstantiation

Question 7

When were the Six Articles passed?

Answer 7

Passed in 1539

Question 8

What did the Six Articles entail?

Answer 8

• Upheld the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation
• Defended communion in one kind (wafer not wine)
• Upheld private Mass
• Upheld auricular (relating to the ear; priests would listen to confessions) confession
• Forbade the clergy to marry
• Held that vows of chastity were binding under divine law

Question 9

What was the King’s Book?

Answer 9

• In 1537, there was a new revision of the Bishops’ Book
• The King’s Book clearly emphasised the importance of Creed, seven sacraments, Ten Commandments, and Lord’s Prayer according to the Six Articles

Question 10

What did the Act for the Advancement of True Religion do?

Answer 10

Abolished ‘erroneous books’ and restricted the reading of the Bible in English to those of noble status. From May to August, reformers were examined, forced to recant, or imprisoned

Question 11

What was the Book of Homilies?

Answer 11

A book produced by Cranmer that had set short sermons which develops a point of doctrine, often placing the teaching within an example from the Bible and this was to be used by churches