Essay Sample on Elizabethan Religious Settlement: Settling Religious Turmoil?

Introduction

Elizabethan Religious Settlement is a common term used in a religious context to describe the political and religious arrangements made for England during the period of Elizabeth I. England had been divided bitterly between Protestants and Catholics due to the dynamic situation during the reigns of other politicians. Therefore, the Elizabethan Religious Settlement was used as a response to the religious turmoil. Even so, not all disputes were settled by the settlement. A few people remained to be Roman Catholics. These occurrences had many implications, leading to different knowledge and understanding of the church and education.

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The Anglican understanding of the church is founded on the Protestant Reformation. Being among the largest Christian traditions in the world, there have been many social and cultural influences. Christianity was by far present in the British Isles, and the church produced many missionaries. Protestant reformation led to the separation between the Church of England and the Church of Rome. Anglicanism maintained many features and practices from the past. Their beliefs remained constant as they believed in robust liturgical worship and the historic church calendar. Therefore the method used for Protestants to inform and establish their theology is unique in understanding.

The Anglican understanding of church education led to the establishment of the prayer book as the primary aspect of Anglicanism. The Anglican education was also accounted for by the 42 articles of religion that outlined confessional commitments and the main issues with the reformed Church of England. The intention of the writings was the avoidance of religious controversies. Additionally, Anglicans intended to keep the Englishmen in one church, away from the extremes of Roman Catholicism.

There are various key features of Anglicanism, including the Book of Common Prayer, the normative way of worship, and the Episcopal Church government. These knowledge and understanding were more or less stabilized theologically. Anglican understanding of God is founded on the Holy Bible. It is the book that holds supreme authority in the matters of faith. The people follow it to make them stuck in salvation. Sometimes, the Anglicans read the Apocrypha. They also believe in confessions such as the Apostles', Nicene, and Euthanasian creeds.

Elizabethan Religious Settlement led to an Anglican understanding of the episcopal form of church government. The religion has a bishop, who is the overseer in the modern protestant translations and deacons. Furthermore, Anglicans uphold Holy Baptism and Holy Communion in the dominical sacrament part of religion. These sacraments are the visible but effectual signs of grace. Besides, they also prove God's goodwill towards his people. Baptismal regeneration is part of Anglicanism as the Holy Spirit brings in the new birth in the waters of baptism. Therefore, believers understand real spiritual presence only. However, the concept of regeneration and conversion is different from them.

For Anglicanism, being Christian is paramount. Elizabethan Religious Settlement contributed to the founding blocks of Christianity such as prayer. Anglicans have both morning and evening prayer. From a broader perspective, this can be seen as Benedictine. Readings through the bible are done on a scheduled plan; a concept referred to as lectionary. Besides, there is a strong missionary spirit as exacerbated by the separation during the Elizabethan Religious Settlement. These include the monastic missionaries from the British Isles and the courageous modern missionaries. As a result, Anglican churches have continued to spring up. The reign of Queen Elizabeth led to the rise of the articles of religion and principles that are followed to date.

Anglican schools have various ethos statements. Firstly, education ought to be offered for life in all its fullness. God has always been the creator of all that exists. He is the one who redeems his people through Jesus Christ. God is trinity and diversity. Part of the ethos is a proclamation of the gospel in both words and actions. Here, an environment is created, that which young people can develop personal relationships with God through Jesus.

Anglicans ought to celebrate their characters through building relationships with various Anglican schools across Australia. The school I teach tends to cultivate intellectual qualities, including curiosity, intellectual rigour, and questioning. A growth mindset is hence nourished. The school also realizes that everyone is created in the image of God. Therefore, various families are welcomed from every background, either culturally or socially. Most students tend to have good bonds and respectful relationships with one another. The school is seen as a safe area that one can explore their identity, purpose, and vocation.

The Anglican school also uses the richness of symbol. Therefore, story, ceremony, and those symbols are used to protect and promote the various values and order in life. Anglicans also cultivate the wellbeing for everyone within the school community. People can flourish well under God's grace while they build good relations within the school community. The school and its spiritual, religious, and liturgical life tend to be central to the mission. The Christian ethos is promoted in the Anglican tradition that is liturgical and ecumenical. The presence of a chapel is the most striking part of the school. It proves that the school is central to the Christian experience that is lived out in the Anglican tradition within.

The Chapel in the school is the quietest area used as a place of prayer and reflection. Its presence shows that God is present among his followers. Besides, believers uphold that Jesus is alive and can answer prayers easily. Even so, the school welcomes people from almost every belief and all can live a reflective life in a word. The loving service offered is used to respond to human need. Anglicanism has a culture and an ethos. The school upholds comprehensiveness, personal holiness, and the holy worldliness. Individual holiness is the product of an interrelationship between liturgical participation, compassion, and solitude.

The role of "God-given reason" is valued for a better understanding of the faith of the people. The school realizes the role of philosophy, humanities, and sciences. The school believes that it is sacramental and incarnational. God's grace can be conveyed through sign and symbol in ways such as communion, baptism, and laying of hands. There are various beliefs that unite Anglicans in the school I teach. The holy scriptures of the old and new testaments have almost all things necessary for salvation. The school uses the apostle's creed as the baptismal symbol and the Nicene Creed as the statement of Christian faith. Baptism and Holy Communion are also used as ordained by Christ himself. The ethos is mostly influenced by the Church of England, especially in matters of faith, liturgy, and worship.