Introduction

White Horse Sin is a weekly round table discussion about theology and culture. We're starting a new series on something called the Comfortable Words. In the Anglican tradition these verses are meant to be read altogether and in a particular order by the minister right after the confession of sin and absolution. Thomas Cranmer the archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the English Reformation back in the 1500s organized these four comfortable words as he did because he wanted people to understand that first and foremost Christ was the good shepherd alluring his lost sheep with self sacrificing love.