The Collects of Thomas Cranmer [Hardcover]

Paul F. Zahl (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998

Thomas Cranmer's Prayer Book of 1549 is a foundational document of the Anglican Church and a priceless part of English-speaking Christianity. Cranmer's unique gift of blending theological substance with simple, humble, and moving clarity has made the Collects (prayers) essential not only to the English liturgy but also to the pastoral tradition of the church: these prayers still remain a deep source of inspiration for Christians enmeshed in the everyday trials and testings of life. Published on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the Book of Common Prayer, The Collects of Thomas Cranmer presents this spiritually rich material in its original form and order. Compiled and presented for devotional use by C. Frederick Barbee and Paul F. M. Zahl, Cranmer's Collects are each followed by succinct commentary on their historical context and an insightful meditation crafted with contemporary Christians in mind. Including a significant introduction to Cranmer and his work by C. FitzSimons Allison, this beautifully produced volume opens afresh Cranmer's classic devotional treasure to modern believers from all communions.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This lovingly prepared edition of the Anglican collects, or short prayers, which first appeared in this form in the Book of Common Prayer of 1549, should pique the interest of both religion scholars and devout communicants It contains not only the prayer texts as translated or composed by Protestant hero Cranmer and his collaborators but also a sensitive introduction by C. Fitzsimmons Allison, the bishop of South Carolina, and suggestions for meditation inspired by each of the collects. Recommended for most collections, especially those strong in Christian spirituality.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 139 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; First Edition edition (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802838456
• ISBN-13: 978-0802838452
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,287,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

89 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I beseech thee! Aquire this and consider the beauty within!, May 22, 2000

By 

"slofty" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Collects of Thomas Cranmer (Hardcover)

If you would rather go to a performance of Shakespeare than one of the World Wrestling Federation; if you would rather listen to Beethoven than Metallica; if you would rather watch a film directed by DeMille than Waters; if you would rather pray to God with a sense of awe and humility than with the never-ending "praise" that is all the rage; if you have been uneffected by the "dumbing-down" of the English language; then you should aquire this small book and consider joining the "praise" for the beauty within.

Collects are "collective prayers" used in Anglican (Episcopal) church services to set the tone for the service to follow, and as a transitional device to bring the whole congregation (with many diverse thoughts and needs) together so that the service may proceed with focus.

This set of collective prayers is organized into weekly readings following the Protestant Kalendar. However, you don't have to be Anglican to appreciate the absolute miraculous beauty and immense thought put into these prayers by Thomas Cranmer when they were written approximately 450 years ago at the time of Elizabeth I.

The book is printed on beautiful ivory paper in a very nice type font, with violet colored woodcut letters beginning at the top of each page. The price is VERY reasonable for such a nice book as this.

Critics in this "me, myself and I" generation would say that the tone of the language used by Cranmer is uneccessarily penitential and instills in people too much feeling of guilt. They don't stop to consider that if a person has reason to feel guilty...than perhaps feeling guilty would be somewhat beneficial. Does God forgive those who don't REALLY believe that they have sinned? Some day, all of us will find out!

If you love the English language, and feel gratitude for all that God has done for you, then I think you'll agree that Cranmer's genius for talking to God with a profound sense of humility is refreshing today.

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An excellent devotional aid, August 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Collects of Thomas Cranmer (Hardcover)

This Book contains the many beautiful Collects composed by Thomas Cranmer in their original form from the the First Prayer Book of Edward VI (1549) for each Sunday and Holy Day in the year. Each Collect has an interesting historical note appended to it, detailing changes which have taken place at subsequent revisions such as 1552 and 1662, together with a most useful meditation.

I heartily commend this excellent book to all traditional Anglicans and Christian people of goodwill. Attractively bound and presented it is an ideal gift for a Confirmation or birthday - or as a Christmas present.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing devotional and liturgical aid (and CHEAP), November 26, 2004

By 

Kathy F. Cannata "Rev. Dr. R. Cannata" (New Orleans, LA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Collects of Thomas Cranmer (Hardcover)

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.