The Book of Common Prayer

Cultural Treasure and Crux of Biblical Formation in the Anglican Tradition

In an age marked by rapid cultural shifts and waning religious influence, we Anglicans have good reason to appreciate one of the most significant texts in the English-speaking world: the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Since Thomas Cranmer’s first version, which was published in 1549, the BCP has not only shaped the religious landscape of Anglicanism but has also profoundly influenced the fabric of English language and culture. Its influence, far from being confined to church life, has permeated literature, education, politics, and even our everyday speech. To lose touch with this rich heritage would be to sever a vital link to our cultural past and impoverish our linguistic and spiritual future.

The Cultural Legacy

Consider, for a moment, the ubiquity of phrases from the BCP in our daily lives. "Till death do us part," "earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust," and "peace in our time" are woven into the tapestry of English expression. These phrases, along with countless others, have transcended their religious origins to become part of the shared cultural vocabulary of many Western cultures. Even those who have never set foot in an Anglican church unknowingly draw upon this linguistic wellspring in their daily communication. Is this not a testament to the enduring power of well-crafted language?

The BCP's influence extends far beyond mere phrases. It has been a wellspring of inspiration for some of the greatest minds in English literature. The rhythms and cadences of Shakespeare, the powerful imagery of Milton, and the profound reflections of C.S. Lewis and T.S. Eliot all bear the imprint of this seminal text. Moreover, the BCP has played a crucial role in shaping the structure of the English language. Its wide distribution and consistent use helped establish norms in spelling, grammar, and vocabulary at a time when the English language was still in flux. For centuries, alongside the Bible, it served as a primary educational tool, molding the linguistic abilities of generations of English speakers.

The BCP's influence extends beyond language to the rhythm of our lives. Its liturgical calendar has shaped how many English-speaking cultures mark time and seasons. Although most citizens (and even most christians) no longer celebrate the seasons of the christian year in a robust way, Christmas and Easter remain fixed like pillars of an ancient structure, whose fullness can be easily imagined.

Likewise, the way we conceive of and conduct significant life events - weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies - has been profoundly influenced by the BCP. The phrase "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today" evokes a sense of solemnity and significance that transcends religious boundaries.

And this influence is not confined to the West. In an era of increasing global connectivity, the BCP has played an important role in shaping Anglican identity worldwide. As it was translated into numerous languages for use in the Anglican Communion, the BCP spread its influence far beyond the shores of England. It has served as a unifying force, creating a shared religious and cultural experience that spans continents. This is a remarkable achievement.

The Bible at the Heart of the BCP

While the cultural impact of the Book of Common Prayer is undeniable, its greatest value lies in its ability to shape our minds, imaginations, and wills in accordance with God's will, which is revealed in the Bible itself. From its inception, the BCP has been deeply intertwined with the text of the Bible. For example:

1. Many prayers utilize phrases extracted directly from the Bible.

2. Verses of the Bible are quoted directly, such as the Opening Sentences in the Daily Office and Offertory Sentences in the Eucharist service.

3. Whole passages of the Bible are included as lections, such as the Epistle and Gospel readings for the Sundays of the Church Year.

4. The entire Psalter (Book of Psalms) is included, allowing for regular recitation and meditation on these ancient prayers.

It is often said that approximately 80% of the Book of Common Prayer is biblical quotation while the remaining 20% is summary and paraphrase. Truly, the BCP is the Bible arranged for prayer and worship, as the image below makes clear. To clarify, the far left column contains sentences from the eucharistic liturgy of the BCP. The sentences in the right column include biblical verses cited or summarized in the text of the BCP. This page is taken from a 19th century document that covers the entire 1662 Book of Common Prayer, showing how thoroughly it is saturated with sacred scripture. For a contemporary project showing connections between the Bible and the BCP, follow this link.

This biblical saturation ensures that those who engage regularly with the BCP are constantly immersing themselves in the language and thought patterns of Scripture.

The genius of the prayerbook lies in its ability to take this biblical content and weave it into the fabric of daily and weekly life through its liturgical structures. As John Calvin once said, "the Bible is the language of the Holy Spirit," so if we want to be the kind of people within whom the Holy Spirit can work, then the best way to do that is to become intimately familiar with it. The BCP serves as a powerful tool for achieving this familiarity.

Through the rhythms of morning and evening prayer, weekly Eucharist, and the observance of the Church Year, the BCP provides a framework for "reading, marking, learning, and inwardly digesting" the holy Scriptures, as Cranmer's famous collect for the Second Sunday of Advent puts it.

This regular engagement with Scripture through prayer and worship shapes our minds and imaginations in profound ways:

1. The Daily Office ensures that we begin and end each day with God's Word, allowing it to frame our understanding of the world and our place in it.

2. The weekly Eucharist service, with its readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, Epistles, and Gospels, provides a balanced diet of Scripture that nourishes our souls and shapes our understanding of God's redemptive work.

3. The Church Year, with its seasons and holy days, allows us to walk through the entire narrative of salvation history annually, internalizing the story of God's love and redemption.

Through these practices, the BCP doesn't just inform us about God's will; it forms us according to God's will. It shapes not just what we know, but who we are.

Preserving a Valuable Legacy

In a world that often seems to be losing touch with its roots, the Book of Common Prayer offers a vital link to our shared heritage and, more importantly, to the life-giving Word of God. Its enduring legacy lies not just in its cultural impact, but in its power to shape individuals and communities according to God's will.

By recognizing and preserving the legacy of the Book of Common Prayer, we not only honor our past but also enrich our present and future. We ensure that future generations will have access to this powerful tool for biblical formation, allowing them to be shaped by the "language of the Holy Spirit."

Contemporary Anglicans are stewards of this cultural and spiritual treasure, and at Trinity, we take this stewardship very seriously. In doing so, we preserve not just a book, but a way of life - one that is continually renewed and transformed by the living Word of God.