Thanks very much for pointing out this emphasis in Calvin's writings. I read his Institutes of the Christian Religion years ago and was profoundly impacted by his nuanced theological assessment of this sacrament. In fact, reading him demonstrated to me the emptiness of the memorialist view of the Lord's Supper. After reading Calvin on this I could never again seriously consider a memorialist only view. By the way, could you please supply the exact source for this quote from Calvin that you opened up this piece with? Thanks.
I'm with you all the way on this, and I feel my congregation is on a starvation diet with its monthly celebration of the sacrament. I grew up Presbyterian (quarterly communion, plus Maundy Thursday), and have served in New England UCC churches (congregational heritage) for 50 years now, all with monthly communion (plus MT). However, I began going to Episcopal mid-week services after the leader of a clergy self-care retreat pointed out that leading worship on Sunday morning is no more worshiping than coaching a basketball team is playing basketball, because the leader has to be too focused on managing an event. (I think the point is exaggerated but well taken.) He also said to attend a service outside your own denomination or else that little internal critic will be chattering away in your head and distracting you. Some of the best advice I've ever received. Anyway, in doing this I've come to appreciate the Eucharist.
(If I ever retire, I will probably go to an Episcopal church. It bothers me how few of my retired colleagues do not attend church at all, but that is another matter.) But I feel as if I'm talking to a brick wall with my congregation's leaders in trying to get them to have a more frequent celebration of the sacrament. ("If we did it more often, it would lose its meaning."). Well, I do it every week as a part of a congregation, and the opposite has happened! Anyway, suggestions as to how to remove some bricks from the wall? I may go off the lectionary and preach from John 6 soon
Interesting! I was confirmed a Lutheran and learned that the Reformed churches taught that Communion was merely a memorial meal. Calvin obviously thought differently. I asked a Presbyterian minister, and she said their teaching is that Christians receive Christ's body and blood spiritually when they take Communion. This is not the same as the Lutheran teaching (Christ's body and blood are truly present "in, with, and under" the bread and wine), but it would provide the same benefits to the recipient.
Great to hear I’m a 2 year confirmed LCMS Lutheran. If you want to read a real in depth solid teaching of the Lutheran doctrine on the Sacrament of the Altar or Lords Supper read This is my Body: Luther’s contention for the real presence of Christ by Herman Sasse. He was a champion defender of the confessional Lutheran in Germany during WWII. He was spoke of against the Third Riech from day one and if effect the Lutheran church and Christianity as whole. He was part of the resistance movement along side Dietrich Bonhoeffer etc. It’s the best teaching of the Real Presence of Christ in the Lords Supper. It’s about 400 plus pages but worth the read. Hope you read it it’s worth it.
As a Baptist of Reformed convictions, I appreciate Zwingli's position, but also that the symbols of the Lord's ordinances are a means of grace, feeding, and real fellowship with the risen Messiah Y'shua, through the Holy Spirit. Even singing Psalms & hymns can be a carnal performance instead of worshipping God in Spirit & truth. Obedient faith works through love. Communion, by its very nature is participation by faith in love. Why would we not 'remember' our Lord's own sacrificial love & promised coming as often as possible with a company of God's faithful communicants? We will if we love him & celebrate his love.
I quite agree with Calvin and Horton. We may debate the metaphysics of the Eucharist, but the real presence of Christ is essential to the rite.
Thanks very much for pointing out this emphasis in Calvin's writings. I read his Institutes of the Christian Religion years ago and was profoundly impacted by his nuanced theological assessment of this sacrament. In fact, reading him demonstrated to me the emptiness of the memorialist view of the Lord's Supper. After reading Calvin on this I could never again seriously consider a memorialist only view. By the way, could you please supply the exact source for this quote from Calvin that you opened up this piece with? Thanks.
Hi Jason, I agree on Calvin. I think it’s from his Letter/Treatise on the Lord’s Supper.
Mike
I always quietly suspected Calvin believed in Transubstantiation......
Good article, we are certainly far removed from the theological bearings of the reformer on this issue.
I'm with you all the way on this, and I feel my congregation is on a starvation diet with its monthly celebration of the sacrament. I grew up Presbyterian (quarterly communion, plus Maundy Thursday), and have served in New England UCC churches (congregational heritage) for 50 years now, all with monthly communion (plus MT). However, I began going to Episcopal mid-week services after the leader of a clergy self-care retreat pointed out that leading worship on Sunday morning is no more worshiping than coaching a basketball team is playing basketball, because the leader has to be too focused on managing an event. (I think the point is exaggerated but well taken.) He also said to attend a service outside your own denomination or else that little internal critic will be chattering away in your head and distracting you. Some of the best advice I've ever received. Anyway, in doing this I've come to appreciate the Eucharist.
(If I ever retire, I will probably go to an Episcopal church. It bothers me how few of my retired colleagues do not attend church at all, but that is another matter.) But I feel as if I'm talking to a brick wall with my congregation's leaders in trying to get them to have a more frequent celebration of the sacrament. ("If we did it more often, it would lose its meaning."). Well, I do it every week as a part of a congregation, and the opposite has happened! Anyway, suggestions as to how to remove some bricks from the wall? I may go off the lectionary and preach from John 6 soon
Edit: "how most of my retired colleagues..."
Interesting! I was confirmed a Lutheran and learned that the Reformed churches taught that Communion was merely a memorial meal. Calvin obviously thought differently. I asked a Presbyterian minister, and she said their teaching is that Christians receive Christ's body and blood spiritually when they take Communion. This is not the same as the Lutheran teaching (Christ's body and blood are truly present "in, with, and under" the bread and wine), but it would provide the same benefits to the recipient.
Great to hear I’m a 2 year confirmed LCMS Lutheran. If you want to read a real in depth solid teaching of the Lutheran doctrine on the Sacrament of the Altar or Lords Supper read This is my Body: Luther’s contention for the real presence of Christ by Herman Sasse. He was a champion defender of the confessional Lutheran in Germany during WWII. He was spoke of against the Third Riech from day one and if effect the Lutheran church and Christianity as whole. He was part of the resistance movement along side Dietrich Bonhoeffer etc. It’s the best teaching of the Real Presence of Christ in the Lords Supper. It’s about 400 plus pages but worth the read. Hope you read it it’s worth it.
As a Baptist of Reformed convictions, I appreciate Zwingli's position, but also that the symbols of the Lord's ordinances are a means of grace, feeding, and real fellowship with the risen Messiah Y'shua, through the Holy Spirit. Even singing Psalms & hymns can be a carnal performance instead of worshipping God in Spirit & truth. Obedient faith works through love. Communion, by its very nature is participation by faith in love. Why would we not 'remember' our Lord's own sacrificial love & promised coming as often as possible with a company of God's faithful communicants? We will if we love him & celebrate his love.