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The Very Pure Word of God: The Book of Common Prayer as a Model of Biblical Liturgy
The recent celebration of the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer has helped to stimulate a renewed interest in its teaching and fundamental contribution to Anglican identity. Archbishop Cranmer and others involved in the English Reformation knew well that the content and shape of the services set out in the Prayer Book were vital ways of teaching congregations biblical truth and the principles of the Christian gospel. Thus the aim of this series of booklets which focus on the Formularies of the Church of England and the elements of the different services within the Prayer Book is to highlight what those services teach about the Christian faith and to demonstrate how they are also designed to shape the practice of that faith. As well as providing an account of the origins of the Prayer Book services, these booklets are designed to offer practical guidance on how such services may be used in Christian ministry nowadays. In this overview of the Book of Common Prayer, Peter Adam brings us back again and again to its emphasis on the 'very pure word of God', setting the gold standard and hallmark of all our liturgy. Peter Adam served as Vicar of St Jude's Carlton, and as Principal of Ridley College in Melbourne Australia. He is currently Vicar Emeritus of St Jude's, and Canon of St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne.
- GenresChristian
82 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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14 people want to read
About the author
Peter Adam
17 books10 followersPeter Adam's major ministries have included lecturing at St John's College Durham, UK, and serving in Melbourne as vicar of St Jude's, Carlton from 1982-2002, and then as principal of Ridley Melbourne from 2002-2012. He was also chaplain of Melbourne University and archdeacon for parish development in the Melbourne Anglican diocese. Peter is currently vicar emeritus of St Jude's, Carlton, and Canon of St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 15, 2018
What I liked:
-this book provides a solid look into what Reformed Anglicans think. As an Anglo-Catholic, I need to better understand the Reformed camp within Anglicanism.
-he has a very high view of Scripture and preaching.
What I disliked:
-in order to bolster his view on the Word and preaching, he would downplay the role of the Sacraments.
-at times, his argumentation was a bit weak.
-this book provides a solid look into what Reformed Anglicans think. As an Anglo-Catholic, I need to better understand the Reformed camp within Anglicanism.
-he has a very high view of Scripture and preaching.
What I disliked:
-in order to bolster his view on the Word and preaching, he would downplay the role of the Sacraments.
-at times, his argumentation was a bit weak.
June 12, 2025
Peter Adam is spot on when he says that the content and shape of our meetings as Christians are highly influential in shaping our practice in following the Lord Jesus Christ. His aim in writing this booklet is to highlight what the Book of Common Prayer teaches about the Christian faith and to demonstrate how it is designed to shape the practice of that faith. While it is not necessary to use the exact 1662 services to be true to our Anglican heritage, identity and formularies, if we grasp the principles of Cranmer which underpinned those services, then the modern versions of them can fulfil the same task of teaching congregations how to live as Christians, which Cranmer intended.
Three questions frame the main content of the booklet:
- Why consider the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP)?
- What is the context of the 1662 BCP?
- What can we learn from the 1662 BCP?
- Why consider the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP)?
It was the product of a genuine attempt to reform and renew the Church of England by expressing Biblical and Reformed Christianity in practice, and to teach and train people in that faith. The BCP represents a massive reformation in the services of the church to remove error and to represent the truth. Additionally, the identity of Anglicanism is still linked to the BCP, and the 1662 Prayer Book is a vital clue to the Reformed identity of Anglicanism.
- What is the context of the 1662 BCP?
The particular contexts of the BCP include the political and religious English Reformations and the work of Archbishop Cranmer. It must also be remembered that the BCP was a book for a National Church, and a book with great expectations of the local parish church (which became the centre of religious life rather than the monasteries), and of the local parish clergy. While written for a different age, it is based on biblical principles for church life, which are still relevant today. That leads naturally to the next question:
- What can we learn from the 1662 BCP?
Four dynamics make the BCP a comprehensively Biblical book, and that we can learn from:
- It is intentionally formed by Biblical truth, and focused on the gospel of Christ: This provides overall theological coherence. Without it, there would be a danger of believing that the mere use of Bible words would ensure Bible truths, or the danger of finding substitute revelation and another gospel. The BCP aimed to be merely Biblical, and it communicates the central gospel message in a variety of ways. These include a constant restating of the gospel, of salvation history, and of Biblical theology. The BCP also works on teaching us Biblical language, vocabulary and perspectives.
- It precludes and corrects un-Biblical and anti-Biblical doctrines and practices: This brings theological and intellectual clarity, and helps to repudiate ideas that undermine the fundamental identity of Christianity. Without it, the church would drift from the truth or be captured by error. The BCP distinguishes between Biblical doctrines and other doctrines, and ensures that the actions and ceremonies that form part of our services express Biblical truth. This is especially seen in the service for the Lord's Supper, which makes clear that we approach God solely through Christ our great high priest, through his sacrificial blood, and that, doing so, we may be confident in God's mercy and promises.
- The Bible is to be both read and preached, and is the chief instrument of ministry: This means that the people of God experience the power, variety and diversity of 'the pure Word of God.' Without it, the church might promote dead orthodoxy by muzzling the transformative power of the Spirit-inspired Scriptures. The BCP also requires those in ministry to study the Bible, preach and teach the Bible, and to refute non-Biblical doctrines. The ministry of preaching has priority over sacraments.
- It provides responses to God that express Bible truths and use Bible words: This aids in the long-term learning of Biblical Christianity and the internalisation and reception of Biblical truth. Without it, there is a danger of a church focused on information and opinions, without inner transformation.
On the subject of Anglicanism's Reformed identity, Adam has this to say concerning the pattern of worship laid down in the BCP: "This intentional and structured use of the Bible was characteristically Anglican, and marked the distinction between the Reformed and Puritan Anglican tradition and non-Anglican Puritans. Other Puritans required that churches only engage in practices commanded in the bible, and objected to non-Biblical practices within the Church of England...the Anglican Reformed use of the Bible was significantly different. It held that to be Biblical meant to conform to Biblical doctrine, and included in that category, consequences and expressions of Biblical truth. It opposed and precluded un-Biblical and anti-Biblical ideas and practices. It was not restricted to only obeying express instructions of Scripture, but could do and say things not prescribed in Scripture, as long as they expressed Bible truth, and did not contradict it, and as long as everything was done for edification."
The BCP sets a high standard for Biblical, thoughtful and edifying Reformed worship. While we may not want to ape the exact style and content of a pattern of worship set down in the sixteenth century, we would do well to ensure that our church services follow the pattern and principles set down in the BCP.
PostScript on the value of Collects: "We should also learn from the Collects of the BCP. The idea of a collect is that it is a short prayer that summarises one aspect of our response to God. We could use a prepared Collect effectively after each Bible reading, or at the end of a sermon...The BCP Collects provide great models of such prayers. They begin with who God is and or what God has done. They then make a request in response to this God. They then give the purpose of our asking. They conclude with the basis of our asking, through Christ." Great counsel!
Three questions frame the main content of the booklet:
- Why consider the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP)?
- What is the context of the 1662 BCP?
- What can we learn from the 1662 BCP?
- Why consider the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP)?
It was the product of a genuine attempt to reform and renew the Church of England by expressing Biblical and Reformed Christianity in practice, and to teach and train people in that faith. The BCP represents a massive reformation in the services of the church to remove error and to represent the truth. Additionally, the identity of Anglicanism is still linked to the BCP, and the 1662 Prayer Book is a vital clue to the Reformed identity of Anglicanism.
- What is the context of the 1662 BCP?
The particular contexts of the BCP include the political and religious English Reformations and the work of Archbishop Cranmer. It must also be remembered that the BCP was a book for a National Church, and a book with great expectations of the local parish church (which became the centre of religious life rather than the monasteries), and of the local parish clergy. While written for a different age, it is based on biblical principles for church life, which are still relevant today. That leads naturally to the next question:
- What can we learn from the 1662 BCP?
Four dynamics make the BCP a comprehensively Biblical book, and that we can learn from:
- It is intentionally formed by Biblical truth, and focused on the gospel of Christ: This provides overall theological coherence. Without it, there would be a danger of believing that the mere use of Bible words would ensure Bible truths, or the danger of finding substitute revelation and another gospel. The BCP aimed to be merely Biblical, and it communicates the central gospel message in a variety of ways. These include a constant restating of the gospel, of salvation history, and of Biblical theology. The BCP also works on teaching us Biblical language, vocabulary and perspectives.
- It precludes and corrects un-Biblical and anti-Biblical doctrines and practices: This brings theological and intellectual clarity, and helps to repudiate ideas that undermine the fundamental identity of Christianity. Without it, the church would drift from the truth or be captured by error. The BCP distinguishes between Biblical doctrines and other doctrines, and ensures that the actions and ceremonies that form part of our services express Biblical truth. This is especially seen in the service for the Lord's Supper, which makes clear that we approach God solely through Christ our great high priest, through his sacrificial blood, and that, doing so, we may be confident in God's mercy and promises.
- The Bible is to be both read and preached, and is the chief instrument of ministry: This means that the people of God experience the power, variety and diversity of 'the pure Word of God.' Without it, the church might promote dead orthodoxy by muzzling the transformative power of the Spirit-inspired Scriptures. The BCP also requires those in ministry to study the Bible, preach and teach the Bible, and to refute non-Biblical doctrines. The ministry of preaching has priority over sacraments.
- It provides responses to God that express Bible truths and use Bible words: This aids in the long-term learning of Biblical Christianity and the internalisation and reception of Biblical truth. Without it, there is a danger of a church focused on information and opinions, without inner transformation.
On the subject of Anglicanism's Reformed identity, Adam has this to say concerning the pattern of worship laid down in the BCP: "This intentional and structured use of the Bible was characteristically Anglican, and marked the distinction between the Reformed and Puritan Anglican tradition and non-Anglican Puritans. Other Puritans required that churches only engage in practices commanded in the bible, and objected to non-Biblical practices within the Church of England...the Anglican Reformed use of the Bible was significantly different. It held that to be Biblical meant to conform to Biblical doctrine, and included in that category, consequences and expressions of Biblical truth. It opposed and precluded un-Biblical and anti-Biblical ideas and practices. It was not restricted to only obeying express instructions of Scripture, but could do and say things not prescribed in Scripture, as long as they expressed Bible truth, and did not contradict it, and as long as everything was done for edification."
The BCP sets a high standard for Biblical, thoughtful and edifying Reformed worship. While we may not want to ape the exact style and content of a pattern of worship set down in the sixteenth century, we would do well to ensure that our church services follow the pattern and principles set down in the BCP.
PostScript on the value of Collects: "We should also learn from the Collects of the BCP. The idea of a collect is that it is a short prayer that summarises one aspect of our response to God. We could use a prepared Collect effectively after each Bible reading, or at the end of a sermon...The BCP Collects provide great models of such prayers. They begin with who God is and or what God has done. They then make a request in response to this God. They then give the purpose of our asking. They conclude with the basis of our asking, through Christ." Great counsel!
October 20, 2023
The purpose of this small book is to illustrate the centrality of scripture within the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP). There are a great many opinions expressed in this book, as well as an overwhelming number of footnotes, and yet this seemed to be more about bolstering an already held position rather than laying the ground work to make a case.
Frustratingly (and quite oddly, too) there are several statements which seem to question core Anglican practices, such as the centrality of the Sacraments (page 38) and the essential and Biblical role of Bishops (page 62). Neither of these practices are in conflict with Scripture, and neither take away from the importance of sound preaching (which the author is trying to elevate).
J I Packer wrote "The Gospel in the Prayer Book" and was much more effective in showing how the actual format of the BCP was shaped to convey the message of the gospel. That book is available for free - now you're without excuse! I recommend reading that instead. It's not even half as long.
Frustratingly (and quite oddly, too) there are several statements which seem to question core Anglican practices, such as the centrality of the Sacraments (page 38) and the essential and Biblical role of Bishops (page 62). Neither of these practices are in conflict with Scripture, and neither take away from the importance of sound preaching (which the author is trying to elevate).
J I Packer wrote "The Gospel in the Prayer Book" and was much more effective in showing how the actual format of the BCP was shaped to convey the message of the gospel. That book is available for free - now you're without excuse! I recommend reading that instead. It's not even half as long.
May 26, 2022
Peter Adam offers a very helpful defense of the role and place of the Bible in Anglican church services and in Christianity more broadly. The 1662 Book of Common Prayer offers, at least in Adam's mind, a clear and helpful example of the role and place of the Bible in worship.
At times Adam would betray his preferences for things and attempted to justify those preferences with mediocre reasoning (his ideas about music, for example), but as a whole this book offers a very high view of the Bible and the role the BCP plays in shaping the biblical knowledge of Anglicans.
At times Adam would betray his preferences for things and attempted to justify those preferences with mediocre reasoning (his ideas about music, for example), but as a whole this book offers a very high view of the Bible and the role the BCP plays in shaping the biblical knowledge of Anglicans.
August 12, 2024
Interesting but hard to trust as accurate due to the largely non-ecumenical approach.
There’s some really interesting historical data about the BCP development in this, but it’s hard to tell at times whether it is the author’s own tensions with different forms of Christianity that are being presented or those who formed the BCP.
There’s a decidedly anti-Catholic feel that leaves the reader feeling that objectivity may not be the aim of this book.
There’s some really interesting historical data about the BCP development in this, but it’s hard to tell at times whether it is the author’s own tensions with different forms of Christianity that are being presented or those who formed the BCP.
There’s a decidedly anti-Catholic feel that leaves the reader feeling that objectivity may not be the aim of this book.
January 9, 2026
Interesting thoughts on Anglican liturgy. The word of God is very important and should inform our liturgy. I enjoyed the historical information and practical advice. The book of common prayer is excellent. I am not sure saying that preaching is the most important thing is helpful. People seem to forget other things when someone says something is the most important. Everything is important to some degree and we should aim to communally worship God in every aspect of our lives.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews