The Roman Catholic Church relies on the doctrine of apostolic succession to claim an exclusive jurisdiction over the Church Universal; only its priests are able to confect the Eucharist, pronounce the absolution of sins (or refuse to do so,) etc... and all through an unbroken line of Laying on of Hands, dating all the way back to Saint Peter.
This of course paves the way for an interpretation of John:6, wherein Jesus explains that he will give his body and blood for men to eat, and that it is a necessity for having "life in them." The RCC developed transubstantiation as a term to describe this mystery.
I believe that regardless of what any believers call it or what their understanding of its nature is, it is the same thing that occurs: it is a mystery, and needs no definition by mankind to validate it. Nor should any man be condemned for refusing to call it a specific thing or insist upon its nature. It is metaphysical and beyond our grasp, and that's all we need.
Thoughts?
This of course paves the way for an interpretation of John:6, wherein Jesus explains that he will give his body and blood for men to eat, and that it is a necessity for having "life in them." The RCC developed transubstantiation as a term to describe this mystery.
I believe that regardless of what any believers call it or what their understanding of its nature is, it is the same thing that occurs: it is a mystery, and needs no definition by mankind to validate it. Nor should any man be condemned for refusing to call it a specific thing or insist upon its nature. It is metaphysical and beyond our grasp, and that's all we need.
Thoughts?