[Magdalen] Interesting perspective on BCP revision

[Roger Stokes]

If you look at the preface to the 1662 you will find that the revisers 
recognized the need for periodic revision because words change their 
meaning (or drop out of use) over time. More recent revisions have 
recognized that we now have congregations that (at least for the most 
part) can read. Likewise we can see the value of reading from the Old 
Testament (partocularly important now that the Eucharist is often the 
only element in people's liturgical diet. Various other liturgical 
changes reflect a more balanced understanding of what the Church should 
be like, somewhere that priest and people work together in the Church's 
mission and ministry rather than the parson doing it all.

Roger, who is not particularly looking forward to a couple of Sundays 
where I will be presiding at 1662 Eucharists as the main Sunday service 
in that church. I find it very priest-heavy with the congregation 
basically sitting there as recipients.

On 26/04/2017 19:46, Grace Cangialosi wrote:
> Chad wrote: "Periodic revision is necessary because society changes."
>
> The late and much-loved Charles Price, who was on the editorial board of
> the '79 book--and wrote that wonderful General Thanksgiving on
> p. 836--told us that he thought the BCP should have its year on the front
> cover, just as the hymnals have.  That would suggest to people, even if
> subconsciously, that the book hadn't been handed down from on high,but was
> subject to periodic changes.