Lambeth Articles facts for kids

The Lambeth Articles were a set of nine important statements made in 1595. They were meant to be an extra part of the Thirty-nine Articles, which were the official beliefs of the Church of England. These articles were created because of a big discussion about a belief called predestination, which was part of Calvinism. The Lambeth Articles aimed to make the church's teaching on this topic clearer.

However, Queen Elizabeth I did not approve these articles, so they never became official in England. But they were accepted by the Church of Ireland in 1615, becoming part of their beliefs.

Why They Were Created

During Queen Elizabeth I's time, many important church leaders in the Church of England believed in Calvinism. This was especially true for the idea of predestination. The church's main statement of beliefs, the Thirty-nine Articles, talked about predestination in Article 17.

Calvinists believed that God chose some people for salvation (going to heaven) and others for damnation (not going to heaven). However, Article 17 only mentioned God choosing people for salvation.

A smaller group of people, called Arminians, started to disagree with the Calvinist view, especially at universities like Cambridge University. This led to a big debate about predestination.

To help settle this debate, a professor from Cambridge, William Whitaker, wrote the Lambeth Articles. He worked with other church leaders, including Archbishop Whitgift. The articles were changed a bit by bishops to try and make them more acceptable to everyone. They were signed by important church figures like Archbishop Whitgift and the Bishop of London, Richard Fletcher.

The Lambeth Articles were not meant to replace the Thirty-nine Articles. Instead, they were supposed to make Article 17 officially agree with Calvinist ideas.

What the Articles Said

The Lambeth Articles explained specific beliefs about God's choices and human salvation. Here are the main points, explained simply:

• God has chosen some people for eternal life and others for death.
• God's choice for life is not based on whether He knows someone will have faith or do good deeds. It's only because of God's own will.
• The exact number of people God has chosen cannot be changed.
• Those who are not chosen for life will definitely be punished for their sins.
• People who truly believe in God will never completely lose their faith.
• A true believer, who has saving faith, can be completely sure that their sins are forgiven and they will have eternal salvation through Christ.
• God's saving grace (His help and favor) is not given to everyone.
• No one can come to Jesus unless God the Father brings them, and not everyone is brought by the Father.
• It is not up to every person's own will or power to be saved.

Why They Weren't Approved

Queen Elizabeth I did not want to change her religious rules that she had set up in 1559. Because of this, she refused to approve these new articles. So, they never became official law or teaching in England.

Impact in Ireland

Even though they weren't used in England, the Lambeth Articles were accepted in 1615 by the Church of Ireland during a meeting in Dublin. They were added to the Irish Articles, which were written by James Ussher. Many of the ideas found in the Lambeth Articles also influenced the Five Points of Calvinism, which were later explained in detail at the Canons of Dort meetings (1618–19).