The Collects of Thomas Cranmer

An argument could be made that Thomas Cranmer, one of the most brilliant minds of the English Reformation, wasn't fully on board with it, despite his being the primary author of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. I'd base that argument on his having authored more than one such book (and I use the word "authored" advisedly). The first BCP was very much a translation of the Catholic Latin Mass into English, along with large parts of the Daily Office-- he provided the language of the Mass and prayers in the vulgate,more common tongue, much at the Roman Catholic Church was to do a half-century ago, following Vatican II.Later, when yet more "reformed" Protestants came to power (I would say more conservative Protestants, but at that point they weren't conserving anything, but changing the Catholic "faith of our fathers" to a more Presbyterian/Puritan religion), Cranmer rewrote the Book of Common Prayer to reflect this newer version of Christian worship.Whether you prefer the old Cranmer or the new, one thing cannot be argued-- he was one of the most beautiful and poetic writers of the English language of his or any other time. His prayers, whether translations from the Latin or original compositions (or some combination of the two) are uniformly among some of the most beautiful, melodic examples of the use of the English language ever composed.He had an advantage, of course-- he was writing English during an era when our language was at its most poetic-- he was a contemporary, give or take a few years, of Shakespeare and of the authors of the King James Authorized Version of the Bible (the joke, before the Roman Catholic Church updated its own translation of the prayers of the Mass, went: Do you know the difference between the Anglican Mass and the Catholic one? When the Anglicans translated it into English, Shakespeare was writing. When the Catholics made their translation, it was the BeeGees!).This small book consists of the Collects, or appointed prayers, to be prayed on appointed Sundays as part of the Mass. If you are Anglican or Episcopalian, read them and pray them-- they are at the basis and heart of your religion. If you are Roman Catholic, read them and pray them-- they are fully orthodox, and indeed are prayed by Anglican Use parishes of the Roman Catholic Church. And if you aren't either-- if you belong to a Protestant denomination or to no church at all-- read them and pray them, as beautiful examples of the way God has inspired his people to pray. And if you are of some other faith or none at all, even if you're agnostic or an atheist, read them, as some of the most beautiful examples,of the use of the English language, written at a time it was at its best.

The collects have been an inspirational additional to my weekly devotional. Basic law...

This is an amazing study of the Collects. The commentary is accurate and sometimes humorous.

Even after reading all the blurb about this book, it still managed to exceed my expectations. It is a little gem and I am so glad I came across it. The editors have done a marvellous job with their very brief history of each Collect, and meditation. Being an Anglican in Aotearoa/New Zealand, we use the more modern, but still very NKJV-type English Collects, which are also beautifully written, but I am very happy to have Thomas Cranmer Collects in my library. The 16th century language is not so much different from that we use today (and has actually been standardised in this book) - and as my daughter said, "If you have read and understood Shakespeare, you can understand anything!"Cranmer's prayers came from his heart and have a poetic rhythm to them that make then a delight to read and easier to memorise. This is a wonderful addition to assist my prayer life.

These brief sermonets about each of the collects in the Book of Common Prayer not only remind us of why we pray what we pray, but in so doing help us to understand, experience, and appreciate a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. The sermonets are biblically on point ("what has always, everywhere, and by all been believed"), and the interesting history behind each of the collects provides a wonderful reminder of our membership in the family of Christ that includes so many others who have loved before us.I'd highly recommend this book for all (even children!) who would gain a deeper understanding, appreciation, and renewed heart for God expressed in the worship of the traditional liturgy. Sadly, there are times when the words of a traditional liturgical service can seem as rote and not individual prayers from the heart; "The Collects of Thomas Cranmer" not only eliminates this syndrome, but creates an anticipation and longing for our next encounter with our Lord and Savior. (Blessings - Hank in Tucson)

I won't recite here who Cranmer was -- for that see one of the reviews above or MacCulloch's excellent biography.This is a truly practical book -- as a devotional aid for any Christian, as a help for pastors and other designing their churches' liturgies, and as an aid for family worship.The two most amazing things I notice here:1. That Eerdmans is able to sell such a nicely packaged hardback for such an INEXPENSIVE price.2. That so many folks wrote reviews of this book, and so many have voted on the usefulness of these reviews, and yet this book is only ranked 195,000th as of my writing! I'm inclined to buy an armful more of these just out of principle.

"This edition brings prayer to life", according to a former Archbishop of Canterbury. Anyone who has enjoyed the spiritual comfort of the Anglican Collects, will be moved by this wonderful source for appreciating the message of hope they convey. Frs. Barbee and Zahl tell the reader from what sources Cranmer drew the inspiration for his Collets. They also provide an understanding of their internal structure and how beautifully they are crafted as well. More movingly, they illuminate the message and spiritual insight relected in Cranmer's tightly compacted Collects with "meditations" that are along side each of them. These meditations connect the reader with the Collects, providing a spiritual illumination for which contemporary readers hunger.

Quick and good quality

Bought as a Christmas present. Wife loved it.

This is a fine paperback book with the collects of Thomas Cranmer. Supplied in excellent condition, on time and at a good price.

An excellent book for anyone with an interest in this subject. I have a kindle and a paperback copies.

excellent