It is one thing to have a sense of what you know. It is another to articulate it.
Welcome to the first in our Articulate series where we open the vault on an extraordinary series of articles from The ACR.
From 1955 until his death in 1961, T. C. Hammond wrote for The ACR on each of the 39 Articles (well, Articles 1-28 to be precise, sadly he died before the series was completed). Over the coming months we’ll be releasing these articles – T.C. Hammond’s thoughts and reflections – without further comment, for your encouragement. And, as we’ll see, he is a most insightful tour guide for these rich Christian truths.
T.C as he was known, was an Irish import who served as Moore College principal from 1935-53.[i] Fiery, witty and well-loved, he nurtured a love for evangelical truths among his students and those further afield through this lectures, debates, books and radio broadcasts, as well as articles such as these. To say T.C was acquainted with the 39 articles is an understatement. Along with Bicknell’s commentary, they formed the platform for his doctrine classes at the college and would have had particular salience given his upbringing amidst the religious controversies of Ireland.
The 39 Articles had emerged during the English reformation as a statement of Christian doctrine, particularly regarding matters of contention at the time. They are a foundational text of the Anglican church and today our clergy still assent to them when they’re ordained. Despite their brevity, these Articles pack a punch. A bit like the creeds, each phrase (at times even each word!) drips with theological significance.
So lean in and enjoy the reflections of a grandfather in the faith as he articulates the Articles, beginning with…
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Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts or passions; of infinite power, wisdom and goodness; the Maker, and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power and eternity; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
[i] For the biographical information for T.C. Hammond we are indebted to Mark Thompson and his article – http://markdthompson.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/the-sydney-family-album-9.html