<P> The canon law of the Church of England identifies the Christian scriptures as the source of its doctrine . In addition, doctrine is also derived from the teachings of the Church Fathers and ecumenical councils (as well as the ecumenical creeds) in so far as these agree with scripture . This doctrine is expressed in the Thirty - Nine Articles of Religion, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Ordinal containing the rites for the ordination of deacons, priests, and the consecration of bishops . Unlike other traditions, the Church of England has no single theologian that it can look to as a founder . However, Richard Hooker's appeal to scripture, church tradition, and reason as sources of authority continue to inform Anglican identity . </P> <P> The Church of England's doctrinal character today is largely the result of the Elizabethan Settlement, which sought to establish a comprehensive middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism . The Church of England affirms the Protestant Reformation principle that scripture contains all things necessary to salvation and is the final arbiter in doctrinal matters . The Thirty - nine Articles are the church's only official confessional statement . Though not a complete system of doctrine, the articles highlight areas of agreement with Lutheran and Reformed positions, while differentiating Anglicanism from Roman Catholicism and Anabaptism . </P> <P> While embracing some themes of the Protestant Reformation, the Church of England also maintains Catholic traditions of the ancient church and teachings of the Church Fathers, unless these are considered contrary to scripture . It accepts the decisions of the first four ecumenical councils concerning the Trinity and the Incarnation . The Church of England also preserves Catholic Order by adhering to episcopal polity, with ordained orders of bishops, priests and deacons . There are differences of opinion within the Church of England over the necessity of episcopacy . Some consider it essential, while others feel it is needed for the proper ordering of the church . In sum these express the' Via Media' viewpoint that the first five centuries of doctrinal development and church order as approved as acceptable be a kind of yardstick by which to gauge authentic catholicity, as minimum and sufficient; Anglicanism did not emerge as the result of charismatic leaders with particular doctrines . It is light on details compared to Roman Catholic, Reformed and Lutheran teachings . The Bible, the Creeds, Apostolic Order, and the administration of the Sacraments are sufficient to establish Catholicity . Indeed, not one major doctrinal development emerged from the English reformation, Diarmid MacCulloch, The Later Reformation in England, 1990, p. 55 . The Reformation in England was initially much concerned about doctrine but the Elizabethan Settlement tried to put a stop to doctrinal contentions . The proponents of further changes, nonetheless, tried to get their way by making changes in Church Order (abolition of bishops), governance (Canon Law) and liturgy (' too Catholic'). They did not succeed because the Monarchy, the Church and resisted and the majority of the population were indifferent . Moreover, "despite all the assumptions of the Reformation founders of that Church, it had retained a catholic character ." The Elizabethan Settlement had created a cuckoo in a nest ..." a Protestant theology and program within a largely pre-Reformation Catholic structure whose continuing life would arouse a theological interest in the Catholicism that had created it; and would result in the rejection of predestinarian theology in favor of sacraments, especially the eucharist, ceremonial, and anti-Calvinist doctrine" (ibid pp. 78--86). The existence of cathedrals "without substantial alteration" and "where the "old devotional world cast its longest shadow for the future of the ethos that would become Anglicanism," p. 79 . This is "One of the great mysteries of the English Reformation," ibid that there was no complete break with the past but a muddle that was per force turned into a virtue . The story of the English Reformation is the tale of retreat from the Protestant advance of 1550 which could not proceed further in the face of the opposition of the institution which was rooted in the medieval past, ibid . p. 142 and the adamant opposition of Queen Elizabeth I . </P> <P> The Church of England has, as one of its distinguishing marks, a breadth and "open - mindedness". This tolerance has allowed Anglicans who emphasise the Catholic tradition and others who emphasise the Reformed tradition to coexist . The three "parties" (see Churchmanship) in the Church of England are sometimes called high church (or Anglo - Catholic), low church (or evangelical Anglican) and broad church (or liberal). The high church party places importance on the Church of England's continuity with the pre-Reformation Catholic Church, adherence to ancient liturgical usages and the sacerdotal nature of the priesthood . As their name suggests, Anglo - Catholics maintain many traditional Catholic practices and liturgical forms . The low church party is more Protestant in both ceremony and theology . Historically, broad church has been used to describe those of middle - of - the - road ceremonial preferences who lean theologically towards liberal Protestantism . The balance between these strands of churchmanship is not static: in 2013, 40% of Church of England worshippers attended evangelical churches (compared with 26% in 1989), and 83% of very large congregations were evangelical . Such churches were also reported to attract higher numbers of men and young adults than others . </P>

Are protestant and church of england the same