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Rating: 
Summary: Modern theology expressed in beautiful language.
Review: As a newcomer to Christianity, I have to say that I find the Book of Common Prayer a refreshing book. It's language is clear, elegant, and yet modern and readily intelligible. Personally, I found its modern, somewhat liberal theology to be the only kind that a thinking person living in the 21st century can subscribe to. But in fact, the book is purposefully written to accomodate those of differing views: a conservative can use and enjoy the book equally with a liberal, provided he's not fixated with making all other readers think exactly as he does. I suppose those who pine away for the days the church gleefully taught about "miserable sinners" tortured for all eternity in lakes of burning fire by a "merciful" God for the high crime of simply being human won't like the Book of Common Prayer. I would recommend that such readers peruse the Church's Teaching Series, particularly those volumes dealing with an informed interpretation of the Bible. Then, they might enjoy the beauty of the current Book of Common Prayer. Otherwise, their best bet might be to skip this book, and turn to publications put out by the Southern Baptists... so the rest of us can continue to enjoy this great work in peace.
Rating: 
Summary: How are the mighty fallen!
Review: One's opinion of the current Book of Common Prayer is naturally going to be shaped by one's experience with previous editions. To lay my cards on the table, I grew up on the 1928 edition. And this version does have two very nice features. The Psalter here is clear and eminently readable and the liturgy for Compline is great as a private devotion, one that I've used many times.But that's pretty much it. Now and then, the theology is appalling. Removing the phrase "miserable offenders" from the confession, for example(we can't call people that;they might feel bad about themselves). Thee's and thou's are arbitrarily stuck into modern prayers, as if pronoun trouble was all that bothered Episcopal conservatives. And the whole book is such an inept hash that it will not surprise me if it is substantially revised again very soon. This edition of the Book of Common Prayer is not as egregious a disaster as the current Episcopal hymnal. But if you would like a great Christian devotional book in the English language, get the 1928 version of this(or the 1662 English version)and see how this sort of thing should be done.
Rating: 
Summary: A Tool of the Devil
Review: The 1979 BCP is a horrible step backwards for the Episcopal Church in particular and the Anglican Communion in general. Only a fool could miss the rush towards "inclusiveness" and "feel good-ism" that the current church wants to shove down out throats. Other reviews have told of the specific issues a genuine Anglican might have with the 1979 BCP, I just think that this "book" is the last step before the church splits permanently.
Rating:
Summary: A great BCP
Review: The 1979 edition of the BCP has been given a lot of bad press by traditionalists within the Church who claim that its theology is somehow not up to par with previous versions. Many of these people view the prayer book as the source of declining morality and ascendant liberalism within the Episcopal Church. Although I would probably be considered conservative on many issues within the Church I feel this Prayer Book has gotten a bad reputation for no reason. Aside from the charge that the 79 prayer book is not really a BCP prayer because it contains two rites, I haven't heard a criticism that I can countenance. Traditionalists would also do well to remember that Rite One was included to allay their fears of contemporary language. The inclusion of multiple prayers makes this prayer book ideal for personal use and the ease of memorization extends this to common worship. Although there are some parts of the new wording that are awkward, there were prayers in both the 1928 and the 1662 version that were also awkward. Add to this that the theology of the 79 prayer book is more catholic than the 28 and all in all you have a wonderful Book of Common Prayer. It seems to me that the actions that infuriate most traditionalists (and sometimes myself) such as attempting to use a gender-neutral Lord's Prayer are less a matter of Prayer-book theology and more a reflection on political correctness within the Church, and perhaps a lack of appropriate rubrics.
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Summary: Why I became an Episcopalian---and a revived Christian
Review: The exquisite poetry and praise of the Book of Common Prayer speaks to all Christians--except perhaps those of the 1928 vintage. Prayers for all people in their daily life and work remind us that we are not only to be Christians of action, but also contemplation.
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