09/23/2026
Our diocese has not authorized the use of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer used by the Episcopal Church. The question is why? Objections to the 1979 BCP generally fall into the following categories:
“1. Loss of Majestic and Dignified Language. Critics argued that the modern phrasing used in the "Rite II" services lacked the transcendence, depth, and beauty of the traditional Elizabethan English ("thee" and "thou") found in the 1928 BCP. Organizations like the Society for the Preservation of the Book of Common Prayer labeled the language "banal," "permissive," and "imprecise.
"Replacement of the Coverdale Psalter: The traditional Psalms translated by Miles Coverdale—celebrated for their poetic rhythm—were replaced with a newer, heavily modernized translation that critics felt was linguical "homogenized" and spiritually less fulfilling.
2. A "Softening" of Sin and Penitence Watering Down the Confession: Traditionalists objected to structural changes in the Rite I confession. The 1979 revision removed heavy penitential language from the historic Cranmerian liturgies, such as omitting the explicit declarations that "there is no health in us" and that we are "miserable offenders. "Omission of Spiritual Warfare: Critics pointed out subtle omissions in smaller prayers that minimized the reality of worldly temptation. For example, in the traditional "For a Birthday" prayer, the 1979 revision removed the explicit petition asking God to keep the individual "unspotted from the world.
3. Radical Shifts in Sacramental Theology Baptismal Ecclesiology vs. Confirmation: The 1979 BCP introduced the theology that "Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body the Church." Critics argued this dramatically lowered the historic status of Confirmation.
4. Fragmentation of "Common"
Removal of Scripture Texts: Unlike the 1928 and 1662 books, the 1979 book stopped printing the full Epistles and Gospels for Sunday Communion directly inside the volume, requiring congregations to read out of separate bibles or separate modern lectionary inserts.
5. Ideological and Progressive Trajectory. The "Bait-and-Switch" Accusation: Many conservative churchmen alleged that the revisers used ambiguous rhetoric to mask deep structural and theological changes. They viewed the 1979 BCP not as a benign update, but as a deliberate mechanism to push the Episcopal Church toward a more progressive theology..."
(Note: The above is taken from various sources on the internet and NOT my composition. It also does not represent an official response from our diocese)
Prayer of Humble Access: "We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy". The 1979 BCP retained an optional form in Rite I (so called traditional) but eliminated it in Rite II to streamline the liturgy and make it contemporary. Of course the prayer is based on the concept in Matthew (15:27). It speaks to penance, humility before God, and trust in his mercy/grace .
If you wish to read about further assessment of the 1979 BCP, the attached article by Dr. Louis Tarsitano & Rev. Peter Toon is a good place to start.
https://newscriptorium.com/assets/books/toon-collection/doctrine/neitherof.htm
We have chosen to remain faithful to our Anglican heritage and to biblical orthodoxy. We use the 1928 Prayer Book but other faithful ones are authorized such as the 2019 ACNA Prayer Book.
This book is for serious-minded Episcopalians and Anglicans and such other Christians who are interested in the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A. and the other Anglican Churches of North America.
