What defines American Protestantism? Recording this episode of Canterbury Trails the week after the American Independence Day, Jared Lovell and C. Jay Engel reflect on this question, and delve into the impact especially of language on the theology of our Anglo-American faith.

Perhaps the two most popular books in early American history were the King James Bible and the Works of William Shakespeare, both of which had a tremendous influence on our English language.

But did you know that about 85% of the King James New Testament came straight from William Tyndale’s earlier translation?

Shakespeare’s influence is undeniable, but before Shakespeare, William Tyndale was coining words and phrases we still use today.

The focus of today’s episode, therefore, will be on William Tyndale, and the influence he had on the English language, and on our theology today as American Protestant Christians. This is a fascinating discussion of an important historical figure that one biographer described as “The Man Who Gave God an English Voice.”

The average American evangelical Christian may know of Tyndale as the man who was burned at the stake for translating the Bible into English. It might be said that “Evangelical Pop Culture Tyndale” is all about democratizing the Bible so we can all read it and believe whatever we want.

But that is far from the truth, as you will learn in today’s episode. While Tyndale may be a hero of the faith for today’s Christians, his political opinions would not sit well with the average American evangelical.

Beyond Tyndale’s specific influence, you’ll discover how language itself shapes our understanding of God and His Word. And you’ll come to appreciate the (perhaps surprising) fact that the English language itself has helped to bring you to the theological inclinations you have.

Don’t miss this one!

What is the purpose of preaching? Is it just something to endure while waiting for the Main Event of Communion? Or is preaching itself the Main Event, with Communion merely a monthly or quarterly extra? Or does the truth lie somewhere in the via media?

On this week’s episode of Canterbury Trails, Jared (without C. Jay, who is out this week) answers these questions with our special guest, Father Matt Kennedy, rector of Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd in Binghamton, NY, co-host of the Stand Firm Podcast, and, most relevant to today’s discussion, Canon for Preaching in the Anglican Diocese of the Living Word.

God speaks directly to His people through the act of preaching, so it’s not just a 30-minute pep talk, or an academic lecture. There is business being done by the Holy Spirit when a pastor preaches.

But there are different views on preaching among Christians—and a variety of experiences.

For Anglicans who have come out of evangelical or fundamentalist churches, there can be a sense that Anglicanism is about getting away from preaching and doctrine and everything associated with their former churches: that the beauty of the liturgy will be enough to convey whatever sense of spirituality they are now looking for.

And what about the different kinds of preaching: topical, liturgical/church calendar/lectionary, expository? Are pastors allowed to preach about politics and social issues from the pulpit, and if so, to what extent?

Listen in to get wise commentary on all these matters and more, including some fascinating insight into the Biblical story of Joseph that you’ve likely never heard before.

Visit Father Kennedy online at Good Shepherd Church: https://goodshepherdbinghamton.org/

Listen to Father Kennedy’s Stand Firm podcast: https://standfirminfaith.com/

Image of Anglo-Saxon map by Hel-hama - Own work using:InkscapeSource: England and Wales at the time of the Treaty of Chippenham (AD 878). From the Atlas of European History, Earle W Dowe (d. 1946), G Bell and Sons, London, 1910 (see: File:England-878ad.jpg), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19885072

What do sanctification, basketball, playing guitar, and plumbing have in common? And why does our special guest have “ora et labora” tattooed on his hands? On today’s episode of Canterbury Trails, C. Jay Engel and Jared Lovell talk to plumber, writer, and postulant in the Reformed Episcopal Church, Nathaniel Marshall, about trades, repetition, the mechanical arts, manual labor, and how they all relate to Christian sanctification. Glancing back to Episode 2 where we discussed Benedict and his Rule, our hosts and guest remind us that the Christian is apprenticed to a Carpenter. Many modern Christians separate the spiritual life from their day-to-day work life. But Nathaniel helps us to understand how manual labor trains us in virtue and helps us grow in faith and holiness.

Read Nathaniel’s article, “Anglicanism: Apprenticeship to the Carpenter-King” at North American Anglican here: https://northamanglican.com/anglicanism-apprenticeship-to-the-carpenter-king/

Image of Anglo-Saxon map by Hel-hama - Own work using:InkscapeSource: England and Wales at the time of the Treaty of Chippenham (AD 878). From the Atlas of European History, Earle W Dowe (d. 1946), G Bell and Sons, London, 1910 (see: File:England-878ad.jpg), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19885072