Today became a day when God revealed something deeply important to my spiritual life. I had been wrestling with doubts after hearing Catholic voices insist that salvation could only be found within the Roman Church. Their use of Scripture felt harsh and fearful, especially when they quoted Jesus saying that some will cry “Lord, Lord” and yet be cast away. Their messages planted a sadness within me because they suggested that grace depended on belonging to one institution. This painful doubt created the starting point for a powerful revelation.
My peace began to return when I remembered that Anglicanism is a reformed Catholic tradition that remains rooted in the ancient Church. My longing for sacrament, beauty, and continuity did not pull me away from my Anglican identity but led me deeper into its true meaning. Anglicanism carries the ancient Catholic faith within a reformed and generous expression that honors Scripture, prayer, and reason. The sense of home that returned to me today felt like the lifting of a fog. The ancient roots of my Anglican faith became clear to me again.
This renewed clarity led me to reflect on the Oath of Conformity in the ordination liturgy where candidates for Holy Orders make their vows. The ordinand makes the following statement (and signs it in front of all present): “…I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation” (BCP, p. 526). That oath brings profound peace because it grounds salvation in God’s revelation rather than in any human institution. The vow affirms that Scripture holds everything essential for salvation and directs us completely to Christ. This vow reminded me that salvation rests in the grace that Scripture proclaims.
It was important for me to recognize that while Scripture contains all things necessary to salvation, not everything in Scripture is necessary for salvation. This distinction is deeply Anglican and deeply biblical because Scripture includes cultural laws, ritual practices, and historical instructions that Jesus Himself fulfilled and transformed. The essentials for salvation are found clearly in the Gospel, and their simplicity brings relief to the soul. This realization helped me see why Anglicanism reads Scripture with reverence and wisdom. The distinction between what is essential and what is culturally bound shows the grace of our tradition.
Jesus Himself taught that not every command in Scripture carries the same weight. Jesus corrected misunderstandings of the law when He said, “You have heard it said” and followed it with “but I say to you.” Jesus declared all foods clean and rejected purity codes that excluded people from community. Jesus refused to enforce civil penalties like stoning and instead offered mercy to the woman caught in adultery. Jesus summarized the law with the simple command to love God and love neighbor. These actions show that Jesus fulfilled the law and revealed its true heart.
The early Church followed Jesus by setting aside laws that no longer served the Gospel. The apostles declared that Gentile Christians did not need to be circumcised, even though circumcision was commanded in Scripture. The early community shared table fellowship without requiring kosher laws because faith in Christ was the source of unity. The Church proclaimed that sacrifices were no longer necessary because Christ had made the perfect and final sacrifice. These actions clarified that salvation comes through Christ rather than through adherence to every scriptural detail. The Apostolic Church teaches us to read the Old Testament through the lens of Christ.
Richard Hooker helped shape the Anglican approach to Scripture by teaching that Scripture is perfect for the purpose for which God gave it. Hooker wrote that Scripture teaches everything necessary for salvation but does not provide detailed instruction for every aspect of church life. Hooker gave reason and tradition their proper place without elevating them above Scripture. Hooker’s balanced theology placed Scripture at the center while allowing the Church to discern wisely through prayer and tradition. His approach continues to guide Anglicanism with clarity and grace.
This distinction becomes clear when we consider Old Testament laws that no longer bind Christians. Dietary laws in Leviticus about pork and shellfish were set aside by Jesus when He declared that nothing entering the mouth defiles a person. Ritual purity laws about bodily fluids and skin conditions were fulfilled when Jesus touched and healed the unclean. Temple sacrifices became unnecessary after Christ offered Himself once for all. Civil penalties such as stoning no longer reflect Christian life because Jesus taught that mercy reveals the heart of God. These examples show that Scripture is inspired, yet Scripture itself guides us to Christ who fulfills the law.
As I prayed today, I also remembered the prophetic power of Amos 5, especially in the Contemporary English Version, which states:
“I, the Lord, hate and despise your religious celebrations and your times of worship. I will not accept your offerings. Get rid of your noisy songs. I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
These words confront empty religion that lacks compassion. The summary of Amos teaches that worship without justice is an offense to God.
This passage brought to mind the painful reality of fake Christians who display outward religion but reject compassion, mercy, and love. These are the very people Jesus warns when He says, “Lord, Lord.” Jesus does not reject sincere disciples who seek truth and mercy because the Spirit is alive within them. Jesus rejects those whose lips praise Him while their hearts remain cold to the suffering of others. Amos and Jesus speak with the same prophetic voice. Their unity calls us into a life where worship and justice become inseparable.
The Prayer of General Thanksgiving in the Book of Common Prayer echoes Amos in a beautiful way. Its words say: “And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days.” This prayer draws us into a life where thanksgiving leads to justice. This prayer also directs us to a faith that becomes visible through service and holiness. This prayer shows how Anglican worship becomes a school of love. This prayer reveals a deep coherence between Scripture and common prayer.
Today I realized that Scripture, common prayer, and the call to justice form a single golden thread of grace. Scripture leads us to Christ who reveals the heart of God. Common prayer shapes the inner life so that worship becomes a life of thanksgiving. Justice becomes the outward expression of a heart transformed by love. Authentic Christian faith joins doctrine, devotion, and compassion. This seamless unity of Scripture, prayer, and justice is what drew me home.
My love for the Book of Common Prayer grew stronger as I saw this golden thread clearly. The Prayer Book holds us together in Christ through shared prayer and shared Scripture. The Prayer Book interprets Scripture in a way that leads us toward love and service. The Prayer Book embodies the prophetic spirit of Amos in the rhythm of liturgy and life. The Prayer Book shapes the vocation of every Christian who seeks to love God and neighbor. The Prayer Book remains the anchor of Anglican identity.
The love of God overwhelmed me when I understood these connections. My doubts dissolved because Scripture contains everything I need for salvation. My fears disappeared because Christ, revealed in Scripture, is the source of grace. My joy returned because Anglicanism gave me language, rhythm, and prayer for living the Gospel. My calling deepened because I saw that worship and justice belong together. This moment of clarity became a moment of healing.
Today reminded me that I am Anglican because Anglicanism holds Scripture, prayer, and justice in holy balance. Anglicanism teaches the sufficiency of Scripture for salvation and invites us to read Scripture through the life of Christ. Anglicanism guides us through the Book of Common Prayer to live a life of holy gratitude. Anglicanism calls us to let justice roll like waters and righteousness like a flowing stream. Anglicanism helps us live the Gospel with clarity, courage, and compassion. This is the faith that holds me and the faith I long to embody.
Thanks be to God for Scripture that leads us to Christ. Thanks be to God for the Prayer Book that shapes our life in Christ. Thanks be to God for prophets like Amos who call us to justice. Thanks be to God for Jesus who fulfills the law with mercy. Thanks be to God for meeting me so clearly on this day of reflection.
Under the Fig Tree 