The Catholic Religion: A Manual of Instruction for Members of the Anglican Church

by Vernon Staley

Book Overview

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 101544492X
• ISBN13: 9781015444928
• Release Date: October 2022
• Publisher: Legare Street Press
• Length: 424 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Setting Anglicanism Straight

This is a wonderful book. If only Anglican leaders could read this book and take it to heart.Modern Anglicanism, which is so often characterized as being driven by every wind of doctrine and innovation from worldly culture, would do well to return to the faith once delived that this book promotes.It is a true standard of sound Apostolic biblical doctrine and holy living. I will buy more copies of this gem to give to my friends and church leaders.True Anglicanism at it's best, true to the spirit of the English reformers and the English branch of the Catholic Church.

Traditional Anglicanism for the 21st Century

The author never grows old or out-of-date,in this fine review of the catholic faith, as experienced in the Anglican ( Episcopal ) Church. This Anglican Classic has been reprinted by Saint Paul Theological Seminary due to the world-wide demand. Highly recommended by the Faculty of the College.

The Best Book on Basic Anglo-Catholicism

While the language may be a little bit outdated, Vernon Staley's book stands head and shoulders above the rest for basic instruction on the Anglican faith, from an anglo-catholic perspective. The language, while somewhat old-fashioned, is still very clear, and the author has brought this clarity to all the basic tenets of the faith, from the sacraments, to the Creeds, to Holy Scripture, and to the concept of the Holy Trinity, all the while making these sometimes-confusing subjects understandable to the average person. This is a "must-have" for anyone wanting to understand the faith.

A fine book on catholicism within the Anglican Church

Staley gives us a fine guide to being both Anglican and Catholic, that is a part of the worldwide, historic and universal Church (not necessarily in the Roman Church). The book is essentially a concise catechism for the Anglican faithful. In his book he discusses many topics of value. For instance the first 70 pages are an introduction to the history of the faith. In these pages Staley demonstrates the importance of the church's orders: Bishop, Deacon, and Priest. He also stresses the essentiality of Apostolic Succession (through the Episcopate), as a guarantee against heresy and false teaching. He attempts to emphasize the genuine character of Anglican orders, by giving the English Church's history before being under Rome, while under Rome, and after breaking from Rome under Henry VIII. In these pages he explains the causes of Reformation, and the goals of Reformation in England, which overall were not meant to replace the Catholic faith, but simply bring it to a better state. In these chapters an Anglican slant is given to the faith, which I find refreshing. At times Staley seems a bit anti-Roman Catholic, but he was also living before Vatican II.The last 120 pages deal with the faith of the Church in doctrine and practice. He has sections on the three creeds, the Trinity, the Incarnation (which Staley describes as, "the greatest honor and blessing our race has ever received"), and other important topics. Most of his ideas are firmly rooted in the Church Councils and Church Tradition. He discusses the Catholic view of the seven sacraments, including the Eucharist. Regarding the Eucharist, he takes a decidedly Anglican position when he reiterates the firm Anglican belief in the Real Presence, "without presuming to define the manner of [how the body and blood are present]". He also emphasizes the free-will of humankind and the power of God, sounding more like the Church fathers than the reformers. However, that is the goal of Staley's book: to celebrate the Anglican Church's place in the Historic Church. Staley also gives excellent information on the Creation. He is sympathetic to evolution as a possibility, so long as it is God guided.He also discusses Christian duty, prayer, and the Bible including the deutero-canon. Staley says, "No Bible is complete which does not contain the apocrypha." Overall, Staley gives a good Anglo-Catholic view of most every major doctrine and practice. In general, Staley's book assumes the Anglican Church is Historic and Catholic, which may be a surprise to Evangelicals within the church. However, the Church, since the mid-1800s when the "Oxford Movement" sprang up, has as a whole moved toward Catholicism in doctrine and praxis, although not as far as Anglo-Catholics had anticipated. Overall, I think this is an excellent book for anyone searching for catholicism in the Anglican Church. Of note, this book was originally written in 1893, so some issues are outdated. It was revised and condensed in 1983, and the new pa