Summary
In this short blog post, the author posits a modified understanding of Apostolic Succession than is often times held within more traditional Anglican circles. While there is a diversity of thought on the importance and mechanisms for the transmission of ordered ministry, the view held here would likely be described as a more “Protestant” or even novel understanding of the position.
Overview
Theological Tradition of the Author:
Anglican
Position / Topic:
Apostolic Succession
Links:
[Source]
Quotes
“It can true that the line of succession of bishops came from that moment in Caesarea when Jesus commended and commissioned Peter. But the historic church has not always lived up to that ideal; they have not always held the apostolic faith that they received from Peter and his successors. However, it can also be true that the human line of succession from one generation to another has “erred and strayed” from the truth like lost sheep. And when it did, it fell to those outside the chain of human succession to confront the error and build a church that would not err and stray again. That was the hope, anyway. And that, for all of its complications, has been the role of the Protestant wing of the church. “
“I will not argue whether the ‘tactile’ line of bishops (i.e., laying hands on one another to transfer/transmit the authority to teach) was broken by wars, conflicts, corruption, and church history. I am not arguing that. That topic is for another day. And neither will I argue that a physical ‘touch’ from one bishop to the next is critical. Jesus did not lay his hands on Peter, according to the Gospel record. I am arguing that the ‘touching’ part of the succession is a symbolic representation of transmission. The laying on of hands during an ordination or a consecration is not a sacrament of the church. But it is close.”
“As long as we believe and receive what has been believed and transmitted from that day in Caesarea Philippi, we can trust the certification of our faith. Do Anglicans believe in the human to human, person to person chain of custody? Well, yes, but it is not the most important thing to believe. Nor do we Anglicans hold that the Reformation got everything back to the way it was intended by the early church. What Anglicans do believe is that God has charged the church, through its leaders and its reformers, to contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).”
episcopi ecclesiarum protestantium 