... on the Eucharist:
-- If it's not the literal Body and Blood, it better be treated like it is, at least upon reception, if not consecration.
-- I'm leaning toward the Lutheran understanding of the elements; namely, that the Body and Blood of our Lord is "in, with, and under" the elements of communion.
-- It's a profound mystery, and, I think, even a Roman Catholic would admit that a scientific scan of the contents of your post-communion stomach would not show human flesh and human blood, but still, those elements are present, because He said so.
-- JESUS said, "This is My body." But He also said, "This is the New Covenant in My blood." I don't think the New Covenant was inside of the cup he passed around. That's just something to think about.
-- Many Protestant churches could learn a thing or two from the Lutherans (who are fellow Protestants) and Catholics.
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Me too.
At Element we acknowledge that the elements aren't literally flesh and blood while stressing that they aren't merely symbols either. They are substantively Christ's flesh and blood because Jesus said so, and every time we celebrate communion, I do as full a treatment of Scripture's teachings on the supper as I can and go through the various admonitions (test yourself, see it as a confession that you need this to live, see it as a proclamation of the gospel, don't drink wrath upon yourself by consuming in an unworthy manner, etc.).
It's serious business for us even as it's good news.
IMO.. The Holy Spirit inhabits the bread and the wine when we take it (not when a minister prays over it).. it is spiritual.. it is powerful.
I think that when we make it something physical it leads to some strange behaviors.. like locking up leftover bread and wine.. and worshiping the elements instead of the Lord.
Kansas Bob --
IMHO2. There are few, if any, "mere" symbols. This is certainly not a "mere." It's all speculation. Moot. Whether the Lutherans or the Catholics are right or wrong doesn't matter. The communion is so profound, so rich, so deeply moving, convicting, and healing, that I don't need the elements to be real cellularly, or mystically. The only thing that matters is what they point to. That's the reality.
There is, as you say, a very real danger in focusing on the pointer and thereby relegating the target to a fuzzy background image. But it's just a risk, not inevitable. So it doesn't matter whether it's juice, blood, or a little of both. Either way it becomes part of us, just like He does. As the elements become physically entwined with our bodies, He becomes spiritually entwined with our spirits. He dwells in us. It doesn't get any more profound than that.
Oh, and Bird, while I admittedly don't know you that well, I have yet to see any evidence that any of your thoughts are "meager."
Great post.
I agree. :-)