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Thomas Cranmer helped bring about the English Reformation, which in turn produced the Anglican church—a church that believes it combines the best of Protestantism and Catholicism. To discuss Cranmer’s legacy in the modern world, Christian History talked with Anglican Alister McGrath, professor of theology at Oxford University. He is author of many books, including The Intellectual Origins of the European Reformation (Blackwell, 1993).

Christian History: If Cranmer hadn’t lived, or if he had been martyred earlier, how might the English Reformation have been different?

Alister McGrath: It may have taken longer to achieve. Cranmer was a diplomat. He was prepared to give Henry what he wanted while he tried to accomplish his Reformation agenda. Sometimes he did things against his own will—like enforcing Henry’s Six Articles, especially the article requiring priestly celibacy. But Cranmer realized that if he didn’t go along, the Reformation wouldn’t continue.

In Henry’s reign, people in high positions tended to have short lives because Henry was determined to get his way. Cranmer managed to stay alive and made at least some headway for the Reformation.

Having survived Henry’s reign, Cranmer was in a position to push the Reformation forward much more speedily under Edward VI. That, in fact, is when he made his greatest contributions, the Book of Common Prayer and the Forty-Two Articles.

Considering he recanted several times, how much impact did his martyrdom have?

It excited a lot of reaction. Some scholars argue that the popular rise against Queen Mary was partly due to his dramatic recantation of his recantations, and of his holding forth his right hand into the fire.

Clearly the recantations were a problem. Cranmer was a fallible and weak man, yet he showed strength when strength really needed to be shown. Consequently, in his death, Cranmer may have had as great an influence as he had in his life.

Is Cranmer a household name in England today?

No. The English Reformation has no major name associated with it. It was pushed forward by a collection of people, and none of them are in the same league as Luther or Calvin.

Of the English Reformers, Cranmer would probably be the most familiar. But most English people tend to remember Cranmer either for his Book of Common Prayer or for his martyrdom. But I don’t think there’s any great popular understanding of what Cranmer stood for theologically.

What is distinctive about the Anglican Christianity Cranmer and others carved out?

First, like the Reformation in general, it puts a major emphasis on Scripture and the importance of doctrines such as justification by faith.

But this is supplemented by a strong emphasis on historical continuity. Tradition mattered to Cranmer, and he was particularly interested in patristics, the writings of the early church fathers. To Anglicans, the early church is seen as a defining moment in the interpretation of Scripture. Therefore, writers like Augustine, Athanasius, and others are of major importance.

That carries through to this day. If you look at the writings of Anglican evangelicals like James Packer and John Stott, they constantly refer to those who have interpreted Scripture before us.

Obviously one Anglican distinctive would be the use of the Book of Common Prayer.

For Anglicans, having a set public liturgy is extremely important. Liturgy does many things, one of which is to encourage doctrinal correctness. The words of the liturgy embody an orthodox Christianity, so that a priest or parishioner who is theologically unorthodox is still required to use an orthodox liturgy.

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