Gregory Dix
Encyclopedia
George Eglinton Alston Dix (named in religion Gregory) (4 October 1901 – 12 May 1952) was an English monk and priest of Nashdom Abbey, an Anglican Benedictine
community. He was a noted liturgical
scholar whose work had particular influence on the reform of Anglican liturgy in the mid-20th century.
becoming an exhibitioner at Merton College, Oxford
. His modest degree did not reflect his real ability and from 1924 to 1926 he was appointed lecturer in modern history at Keble College, Oxford
while studying at Wells Theological College. He was ordained
priest in 1925. He entered Nashdom the following year and was sent to the Gold Coast as a novice until his health broke down in 1929. Returning to Nashdom he became an intern oblate and took his final vows only in 1940. During the Second World War he lived for a while in Beaconsfield
, Buckinghamshire and looked after the Anglo-Catholic daughter church of St Michael whilst his brother Ronald, who was the priest there, served as a military chaplain. With another monk he lived in the parsonage, kept the round of monastic offices and cared for the parish. On his return to Nashdom he was succeeded in Beaconsfield by Dom Augustine Morris, who was to become Abbot of Nashdom in 1948. Dix was elected to the Southern Convocation in 1945 and prior of his abbey in 1948.
studies. He produced the first critical edition of the Apostolic Tradition
in 1935; but his most influential book is The Shape of the Liturgy, first published in 1945. In this book he argued that it was not so much the words of the liturgy but its 'shape' which mattered. This was, he believed, even more fundamental than the inclusion of the Words of Institution (This is my Body... This is my Blood), which he believed had not always been included. To Dix, the entire liturgy of the Eucharist constitutes anamnesis
— a commemoration and re-presentation of the one sacrifice of Christ. His study of the liturgy's historical development, as seen in the writings of Justin Martyr
, the Apostolic Tradition
of Hippolytus of Rome, and the Syriac Liturgy of Addai and Mari, among others, led him to formulate what he called the Four Action Shape of the Liturgy: Offertory
, Consecration
, Fraction
, Communion. This was, he believed, even more fundamental to the rite than are the Words of Institution, which the Liturgy of Addai and Mari does not include, and which may not have been part of the earliest celebrations of the Eucharist.
Dix's work heavily influenced liturgical revision both in the Church of England
and in related rites of the Anglican Communion, along with that of the Church of South India
. More recent scholars, however, have criticised it as lacking historical accuracy, and newer rites such as those in the Alternative Service Book
and Common Worship
represent a reduction of his influence.
In particular, his claims for the 'shape' of the liturgy, which laid emphasis on the significance of the Offertory
, have been argued to rest on weak evidence historically, and have been criticised on the theological ground that the Offertory was in danger of Pelagianism
: that is, it suggests a natural goodness in human kind who could give God anything. (This objection originated in a comment by Archbishop Michael Ramsey
about the dangers of a 'shallow and romantic sort of Pelagianism' but was taken up by Evangelical liturgical scholars, not as a warning, but as a prohibition of offertory processions of any sort.) On the other hand Dix's thesis was defended by members of the English Parish Communion movement, such as Gabriel Hebert
and Donald Gray, who saw the offertory as representing the bringing of the world into the eucharistic action. This is also the traditional Eastern Orthodox perspective on the offertory. Dix's thesis was also defended by scholars who noted ancient ideas of sacrifice
particularly associated with the work of St Irenaeus
.
However, what caused particular scandal and uproar on the publication of "the Shape of the Liturgy" was Dix's conclusion that "Cranmer in his eucharistic doctrine was a devout and theologically founded Zwinglian
, and that his Prayer Books were exactly framed to express his convictions". As to how far this is true, it was certainly taken up by Ratcliffe and Couratin, although it greatly upset old fashioned Anglo-Catholics who revered the Prayer Book of 1549. The battle still rages, as Diarmaid MacCulloch, Cranmer's most recent biographer, would appear to be in substantial agreement with Dix's conclusion.
which I have outlined would have ceased to exist". A by-product of his campaign was the book of essays entitled "The Apostolic Ministry" published in 1946 and edited by Kenneth Kirk, with a contribution by Dix. However he remained on excellent terms with those, including William Temple, who opposed his views.
In addition to writing a defence of the practice of Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, he also found time in 1944 to defend Anglican Orders against Roman Catholic critics. Firmly believing that 'Unless we are 'Catholics' inasmuch and because we are 'Anglicans, then we are not being 'Catholics', he strongly defended the Church of England. "For three centuries the C. of E. taught the essentials of the Catholic Faith and ministered the essential Catholic Sacraments to the ordinary English people, when no one else could, or would have been allowed by the state to do. That is her title to exist, and I think a man could and should love her for that, even if he felt that he must leave her now.
A busy confessor and spiritual director with many penitents, he was yet an irrepressible wit and raconteur. When Hugh Ross Williamson
once remarked to him how strange it was that the Anglican episcopate seemed determined to betray their principles in their dealings with South India, he remarked "I really don't see why you should be surprised at the conduct of your fathers-in-God. After all the sign of a Bishop is a crook and of an Archbishop a double-cross." In explaining his oft repeated description of the bishops as Edwardian, he commented "Strictly Edward VI in theology; strictly Edward VII in mental equipment and strictly Edward VIII in their views on marriage".
Order of St. Benedict (Anglican)
There are a number of Benedictine Anglican religious orders, some of them using the name Order of St. Benedict . Just like their Roman Catholic counterparts, each abbey / priory / convent is independent of each other...
community. He was a noted liturgical
Liturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
scholar whose work had particular influence on the reform of Anglican liturgy in the mid-20th century.
Life
Dix was born in Woolwich. He was the son of a schoolmaster who became a priest and served as the first Principal of the College of St Mark and St John, Chelsea. He was educated at Westminster SchoolWestminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
becoming an exhibitioner at Merton College, Oxford
Merton College, Oxford
Merton College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its foundation can be traced back to the 1260s when Walter de Merton, chancellor to Henry III and later to Edward I, first drew up statutes for an independent academic community and established endowments to...
. His modest degree did not reflect his real ability and from 1924 to 1926 he was appointed lecturer in modern history at Keble College, Oxford
Keble College, Oxford
Keble College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its main buildings are on Parks Road, opposite the University Museum and the University Parks. The college is bordered to the north by Keble Road, to the south by Museum Road, and to the west by Blackhall...
while studying at Wells Theological College. He was ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
priest in 1925. He entered Nashdom the following year and was sent to the Gold Coast as a novice until his health broke down in 1929. Returning to Nashdom he became an intern oblate and took his final vows only in 1940. During the Second World War he lived for a while in Beaconsfield
Beaconsfield
Beaconsfield is a market town and civil parish operating as a town council within the South Bucks district in Buckinghamshire, England. It lies northwest of Charing Cross in Central London, and south-east of the county town of Aylesbury...
, Buckinghamshire and looked after the Anglo-Catholic daughter church of St Michael whilst his brother Ronald, who was the priest there, served as a military chaplain. With another monk he lived in the parsonage, kept the round of monastic offices and cared for the parish. On his return to Nashdom he was succeeded in Beaconsfield by Dom Augustine Morris, who was to become Abbot of Nashdom in 1948. Dix was elected to the Southern Convocation in 1945 and prior of his abbey in 1948.
Scholarly work
As a scholar, Dix worked primarily in the field of liturgicalLiturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
studies. He produced the first critical edition of the Apostolic Tradition
Apostolic Tradition
The Apostolic Tradition is an early Christian treatise which belongs to genre of the Church Orders. It has been described as of "incomparable importance as a source of information about church life and liturgy in the third century".Re-discovered in the 19th century, it was given the name of...
in 1935; but his most influential book is The Shape of the Liturgy, first published in 1945. In this book he argued that it was not so much the words of the liturgy but its 'shape' which mattered. This was, he believed, even more fundamental than the inclusion of the Words of Institution (This is my Body... This is my Blood), which he believed had not always been included. To Dix, the entire liturgy of the Eucharist constitutes anamnesis
Anamnesis (Christianity)
Anamnesis , in Christianity is a liturgical statement in which the Church refers to the memorial character of the Eucharist and/or to the Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ...
— a commemoration and re-presentation of the one sacrifice of Christ. His study of the liturgy's historical development, as seen in the writings of Justin Martyr
Justin Martyr
Justin Martyr, also known as just Saint Justin , was an early Christian apologist. Most of his works are lost, but two apologies and a dialogue survive. He is considered a saint by the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church....
, the Apostolic Tradition
Apostolic Tradition
The Apostolic Tradition is an early Christian treatise which belongs to genre of the Church Orders. It has been described as of "incomparable importance as a source of information about church life and liturgy in the third century".Re-discovered in the 19th century, it was given the name of...
of Hippolytus of Rome, and the Syriac Liturgy of Addai and Mari, among others, led him to formulate what he called the Four Action Shape of the Liturgy: Offertory
Offertory
The Offertory is the portion of a Eucharistic service when bread and wine are brought to the altar. The offertory exists in many liturgical Christian denominations, though the Eucharistic theology varies among celebrations conducted by these denominations....
, Consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
, Fraction
Fraction (religion)
The Fraction is the ceremonial act of breaking the consecrated bread during the Eucharistic rite in some Christian denominations.-Roman Catholic:In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, it is accompanied by the singing or recitation of the Agnus Dei....
, Communion. This was, he believed, even more fundamental to the rite than are the Words of Institution, which the Liturgy of Addai and Mari does not include, and which may not have been part of the earliest celebrations of the Eucharist.
Dix's work heavily influenced liturgical revision both in the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
and in related rites of the Anglican Communion, along with that of the Church of South India
Church of South India
The Church of South India is the successor of the Church of England in India. It came into being in 1947 as a union of Anglican and Protestant churches in South India. With a membership of over 3.8 million, it is India's second largest Christian church after the Roman Catholic Church in India...
. More recent scholars, however, have criticised it as lacking historical accuracy, and newer rites such as those in the Alternative Service Book
Alternative Service Book
The Alternative Service Book 1980 was the first complete prayer book produced by the Church of England since 1662. Its name derives from the fact that it was proposed not as a replacement for the Book of Common Prayer but merely as an alternative to it...
and Common Worship
Common Worship
Common Worship is the name given to the series of services authorised by the General Synod of the Church of England and launched on the first Sunday of Advent in 2000. It represents the most recent stage of development of the Liturgical Movement within the Church and is the successor to the...
represent a reduction of his influence.
In particular, his claims for the 'shape' of the liturgy, which laid emphasis on the significance of the Offertory
Offertory
The Offertory is the portion of a Eucharistic service when bread and wine are brought to the altar. The offertory exists in many liturgical Christian denominations, though the Eucharistic theology varies among celebrations conducted by these denominations....
, have been argued to rest on weak evidence historically, and have been criticised on the theological ground that the Offertory was in danger of Pelagianism
Pelagianism
Pelagianism is a theological theory named after Pelagius , although he denied, at least at some point in his life, many of the doctrines associated with his name. It is the belief that original sin did not taint human nature and that mortal will is still capable of choosing good or evil without...
: that is, it suggests a natural goodness in human kind who could give God anything. (This objection originated in a comment by Archbishop Michael Ramsey
Michael Ramsey
Arthur Michael Ramsey, Baron Ramsey of Canterbury PC was the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury. He was appointed on 31 May 1961 and was in office from June 1961 to 1974.-Career:...
about the dangers of a 'shallow and romantic sort of Pelagianism' but was taken up by Evangelical liturgical scholars, not as a warning, but as a prohibition of offertory processions of any sort.) On the other hand Dix's thesis was defended by members of the English Parish Communion movement, such as Gabriel Hebert
Gabriel Hebert
Arthur Gabriel Hebert SSM was a monk from Kelham, Nottinghamshire, and a proponent within Anglicanism of the ideas of the Liturgical Movement. As such he was in familiar contact with Benedictine monasteries in Austria and Germany...
and Donald Gray, who saw the offertory as representing the bringing of the world into the eucharistic action. This is also the traditional Eastern Orthodox perspective on the offertory. Dix's thesis was also defended by scholars who noted ancient ideas of sacrifice
Sacrifice
Sacrifice is the offering of food, objects or the lives of animals or people to God or the gods as an act of propitiation or worship.While sacrifice often implies ritual killing, the term offering can be used for bloodless sacrifices of cereal food or artifacts...
particularly associated with the work of St Irenaeus
Irenaeus
Saint Irenaeus , was Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, then a part of the Roman Empire . He was an early church father and apologist, and his writings were formative in the early development of Christian theology...
.
However, what caused particular scandal and uproar on the publication of "the Shape of the Liturgy" was Dix's conclusion that "Cranmer in his eucharistic doctrine was a devout and theologically founded Zwinglian
Huldrych Zwingli
Ulrich Zwingli was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland. Born during a time of emerging Swiss patriotism and increasing criticism of the Swiss mercenary system, he attended the University of Vienna and the University of Basel, a scholarly centre of humanism...
, and that his Prayer Books were exactly framed to express his convictions". As to how far this is true, it was certainly taken up by Ratcliffe and Couratin, although it greatly upset old fashioned Anglo-Catholics who revered the Prayer Book of 1549. The battle still rages, as Diarmaid MacCulloch, Cranmer's most recent biographer, would appear to be in substantial agreement with Dix's conclusion.
Ecclesiastical politics
However, Dix was not just a liturgical scholar, he was also an able ecclesiastical politician. A convinced Anglican Papalist, he sought reunion with the Holy See and was against any developments which might make such a union impossible. He therefore campaigned vigorously against the projected church union in South India, which he saw as a possible model for similar schemes in England, and which in his view equated Anglican and Free Church Holy Orders. "If these proposals were to be put into practice, the whole ground for believing in the Church of Englandwhich I have outlined would have ceased to exist". A by-product of his campaign was the book of essays entitled "The Apostolic Ministry" published in 1946 and edited by Kenneth Kirk, with a contribution by Dix. However he remained on excellent terms with those, including William Temple, who opposed his views.
In addition to writing a defence of the practice of Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, he also found time in 1944 to defend Anglican Orders against Roman Catholic critics. Firmly believing that 'Unless we are 'Catholics' inasmuch and because we are 'Anglicans, then we are not being 'Catholics', he strongly defended the Church of England. "For three centuries the C. of E. taught the essentials of the Catholic Faith and ministered the essential Catholic Sacraments to the ordinary English people, when no one else could, or would have been allowed by the state to do. That is her title to exist, and I think a man could and should love her for that, even if he felt that he must leave her now.
A busy confessor and spiritual director with many penitents, he was yet an irrepressible wit and raconteur. When Hugh Ross Williamson
Hugh Ross Williamson
Hugh Ross Williamson was a prolific British historian, and a dramatist. Starting from a career in the literary world, and having a Nonconformist background, he became an Anglican clergyman in 1943....
once remarked to him how strange it was that the Anglican episcopate seemed determined to betray their principles in their dealings with South India, he remarked "I really don't see why you should be surprised at the conduct of your fathers-in-God. After all the sign of a Bishop is a crook and of an Archbishop a double-cross." In explaining his oft repeated description of the bishops as Edwardian, he commented "Strictly Edward VI in theology; strictly Edward VII in mental equipment and strictly Edward VIII in their views on marriage".