The Episcopal Church 1979 Prayer Book

Is the 1979 Prayer Book of the Episcopal Church representative of the historic Anglican Way?

Historically, Anglicans held to spiritual regeneration in Baptism by the action of the Holy Spirit. However, the 1979 Episcopal Church prayer book makes Baptism a type of general ordination that calls upon the baptized to perform social justice. It sounds so good: to "respect the dignity" of every human. However, Scriptural baptism recognizes that there is no inherent spiritual dignity outside of that bestowed by the Holy Spirit in baptism. 

This unprecedented baptismal ecclesiology of the 1979 book has paved the way for ordination of women, partnered LGBT persons, and even non-Christians. The 'Baptismal Covenant' of the TEC prayer book is an iconic statement of the Episcopal Church's commitment to social action and inclusion, but it denies baptismal regeneration. This as a radical departure from the historic Anglican understanding of Baptism.

Note that the 1979 Eucharistic Rites I and II are essentially the same except for the use of older English in Rite I. Rite I is not the original Anglican formulary, however. See the differences below.

 

Many Episcopalians are not aware that the 1979 Prayer Book is not a true Book of Common Prayer because they have not experienced the liturgies of the Book of Common Prayer (1928 and before).

Similar comparisons can be made of the Ordination of Priests, and of the Catechism. Significant changes will be noted. The 1979 Book departs from historic Anglican belief and practice in each of these. To understand the nature of "common prayer" read Dr. Peter Toon's Common Worship Considered: A Liturgical Journey Examined.

The 1979 Prayer Book has some strengths, including the addition of Old Testament readings in the Mass, and an office for Noonday Prayer. However, these strengths are not sufficient for Anglican Traditionalists to regard that book as an authentic representation of Anglican prayer and liturgy.

Related reading: The Episcopal Church's Baptismal Covenant by Dr. Peter Toon; The Imposition of the 1979 Prayer Book on Conservative Parishes; Louis Tarsitano "Neither Orthodoxy nor a Formulary: the Shape and Content of the 1979 Prayer Book of the Episcopal Church"