As someone with little exposure to Anglican theology/practice, I’m amazed at the opening lines from the Morning Prayer in Cranmer’s Common book of prayer:
“Dearly beloved brethren, the Scriptures moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness…”
In just 19 words Cranmer has squeezed:
- Fellowship/community – “Dearly beloved Brethren”
- Scripture as the defining (only) truth/reality that shapes all of our life – “the Scriptures moveth us”
- God’s wonderful initiative – “the Scriptures moveth us”
- Humility, surrender and repentance – “to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness”