I am so glad you are doing this series. Here are a couple question/thoughts/observations : I have thought it odd for some time now that in the COC I was always taught that our baptism is where we come in contact with the blood that cleanses us from our sins, not a symbol. And yet when we come to the Lord’s Supper we emphasize and use the word symbol and elements that represent. Words that were not used by Christ. If we believe in God’s presence everywhere and if we believe God can hear our unspoken prayers then why can’t we believe in His real presence in the bread and cup during the Lord’s Supper? Just something I have been thinking for a long time now. Thanks for providing this place to share.
Good thought Jennifer. It's one of those tricky controversies people get hung up on ... as some faith groups claim an actual change in the elements when prayed over by a priest. While I do not think there is an actual change, I do think Scripture tells us that Jesus is actually present. In this class I talked about how much of this relates to our thinking / a spiritual reality - an act of faith in the Bread of Heaven. You're right, they are more than symbols... they are, as Jesus said, the body and blood of Christ. It seems to me the more details we want beyond that, the more likely we are to veer off into one of the controversies. Thanks for making me think more about this important subject!
I am so glad you are doing this series. Here are a couple question/thoughts/observations : I have thought it odd for some time now that in the COC I was always taught that our baptism is where we come in contact with the blood that cleanses us from our sins, not a symbol. And yet when we come to the Lord’s Supper we emphasize and use the word symbol and elements that represent. Words that were not used by Christ. If we believe in God’s presence everywhere and if we believe God can hear our unspoken prayers then why can’t we believe in His real presence in the bread and cup during the Lord’s Supper? Just something I have been thinking for a long time now. Thanks for providing this place to share.
Good thought Jennifer. It's one of those tricky controversies people get hung up on ... as some faith groups claim an actual change in the elements when prayed over by a priest. While I do not think there is an actual change, I do think Scripture tells us that Jesus is actually present. In this class I talked about how much of this relates to our thinking / a spiritual reality - an act of faith in the Bread of Heaven. You're right, they are more than symbols... they are, as Jesus said, the body and blood of Christ. It seems to me the more details we want beyond that, the more likely we are to veer off into one of the controversies. Thanks for making me think more about this important subject!