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Scott, Scripturally and as a Lutheran, I see community defined on the basis of "wherever two or more are gathered in My name." As the pastor and the invalid gather in his name, all the requirements have been met as far as I can see. In Christ, -Cloy

No, the Holy Spirit is certainly present in the community; but it takes the action of a community of Christ's followers to make the Sacrament "valid." Ex opere operato - "by the work already done" is the Roman Catholic understanding of how the Sacrament is a means of grace. [emphasis mine]...

Thanks, I see your point. As I said, in the area where I was raised, the term was not in common use until relatively recently -- and its introduction was an obvious attempt to put the Lutheran faith on the back burner for the sake of ecumenicism. You've been there -- you know the issues. In...

Philip, That's a good question. The Lutheran faith is centered on the idea that "God comes to us -- it's all about what He does, not what we do." That concept is reflected in our understanding of the Sacraments and it's also important to the "nugget" that is the core of our faith -- "Theology...

Ethan, How do you justify a tabernacle within the context of the Lutheran Confessions? -Cloy

Dan, You are correct in noting that lots of Lutherans use the term eucharist; and I will admit that I overstated the fact that Lutherans don't use the term. Lots of Lutherans do -- and lots of Lutherans believe that humans have free will. What I will stand my ground on -- and I think you...

That's fine, Dan. If you prefer to present the Sacrament as "Our Thanksgiving to God," then knock yourself out. I prefer to say that it's Christ coming to us -- and our response has nothing to do with it. -Cloy

We never said it was possible to seperate Christ from the Sacrament; however, the practice of the Sacrament-- as it given by Christ -- comprises consecration, distribution and reception. I don't think it's a coincidence that adoration is not included; and outside of these three steps, Christ...

I have not doubts that the term eucharist has been used for years. [I also can't honestly disagree with calling Mary the "Mother of God," but we've both see the mischief that has caused.] The point is that eucharist represents an understanding of the Lord's Supper that turns on our thanksgiving...

The Confession is clear on this point -- outside of the celebration of the Lord's Supper, the bread and wine are only bread and wine. Christ is present in, with and under the Sacrament when the community of the faithful gather in His name and celebrate the Lord's Supper. If we leave the bread...

As I wrote to IowaLutheran, the Confessions use Roman Catholic terms because they are written to Roman Catholics; but as AC Article 24, Section 66 says...66] And since we have explained the passages of Scripture which are cited against us, we must reply also...

Well, BD, you're pretty much right. As Lutherans, we focus on the fact that Christ comes to His community of believers through the Sacrament; and it is within that context that He is present. Outside of the celebration of the Lord's Supper, the bread and wine are only bread and wine -- we do...

IL, I never said that there isn't a lot of bad theology floating around out there. Read Article 24, #66 of the Apology to the Augsburg Confession. It explains the how the reformers understand the Lord's Supper differently from papists. Melanchthon concludes by writing, "darum nennen sie die...

Dan, I have to take issue with you on two points... First, Lutherans don't use the word eucharist to refer to the Lord's supper. That's a Roman tradition, but the Lutheran Confessions are quite clear that the focus on our thanksgiving is not appropriate in the Lord's Supper. Second, you don't...

You raise an interesting point, but I think the concept goes back much further than 18th/19th/20th century gender roles. Throughout history, we see a dichotomy between "right handed" and "left handed" presentation. Male/female is one way to look at it, but others have presented it in different...

Catholics make distinctions between worship, adoration, etc. To me it's a lot of smoke and mirrors -- there is no mediator between God and humanity except Jesus Christ. To justify praying to Mary, Roman Catholics pretend that "intercession" and "mediation" are different things; but their own...

No disagreement, and I stated that. But the fact that these folks keep showing up and are consistently called "brothers" of Jesus... and not "cousins" (anepsios) or "followers" indicates that there is something about "brothers" that the other terms do not correctly imply. As far as Joseph...

The more I look at the herchurch.org web site, the more that I think it's weird... but thought-provoking. The author is obviously pushing us to extend our thinking about God, which is probably good. Our ability to comprehend even a small part of God is so limited -- and our willingness to...

You are correct. Adelphos could be translated as cousin, close friend or even someone of the same nationality. But I would argue the only reason to do that in verses like Matthew 13:55... "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph...

This is an interesting point of contention with the Roman Catholics. I've frequently heard RC theologians refer to the in the "original Aramaic." Must be translations they did themselves! They often use this when talking about Mary. One I recently heard said that Mary NEVER had any other...