Can anyone explain the different views of the Eucharist?

[Rurik]

I am still having difficulty with this topic. It seems that Anglicans take issue with the "Sacrifice" of the Mass. But if the really is no sacrifice then:

a) why is there a priest to begin with? the Function of a priest is?
b) why is there an altar? the function of an altar is?
c) why was the purpose of God creating a priesthood in the OT? Was it to foreshadow the Priesthood of Christ and why would Christ tell us to do something in remembrance of Him that is just window dressing?

A) The role of the priest in the Lords Supper is to preside over the gathered community.
B) We don't have an altar we have a table.
C) My OT theology is not good enough to go into this. It is not window dressing, the purpose of the Eucharist is to feed and nourish the Church on Earth.

 

[Deegie]

Is that the teaching of the Anglican Church?

I'd be curious to see if anyone else has seen a currently authoritative Anglican consensus on this matter. I certainly haven't. The nature of the OT sacrificial system can be described in a variety of ways. It relates to worship/praise, purification, and corporate guilt, among other themes. But it clearly has an atoning function, and I think many/most people would likely describe it as propitiatory, wouldn't they?

 

[Albion]

I'd be curious to see if anyone else has seen a currently authoritative Anglican consensus on this matter.

There is no consensus in the churches of the Anglican Communioni. The church's Articles of Religion and the liturgy itself advance the historic position. However, there is no discipline in the church, so members are free to believe essentially whatever they want, meaning that those who want to think of themselves as separated Catholics are at liberty to do so.

 

[Deegie]

That's a bit overly harsh, don't you think? The gatherings at Lambeth are authoritative although how much consensus is reached is debatable. I think the vast majority of Anglicans would feel that at least the historic core doctrines are to be accepted. I believe the intention was to allow liberty of opinion on the lesser matters.

 

[Albion]

That's a bit overly harsh, don't you think?

No. Not only is it accurate, but it's common knowledge. Most Anglicans readily admit it.

The gatherings at Lambeth are authoritative although how much consensus is reached is debatable.

They're not authoritative. These meetings are of recent origin; the attendees are not really representatives or delegates but purely those whom the ABC chooses to invite; and no member church is compelled to conform to anything that's decided at Lambeth.

I think the vast majority of Anglicans would feel that at least the historic core doctrines are to be accepted.

It would be interesting to see the result if there were some way to verify that.

I believe the intention was to allow liberty of opinion on the lesser matters.

Me too. However, that's not how it has worked out. The only thing that an American Episcopalian absolutely must not disagree on is the right of the Presiding Bishop to do whatever she wants to do. No doctrine is beyond the pale--none. My local parish has members who openly admit-- in newspaper interviews -- to being adherents of another religion (non-Christian) as well as holding membership in TEC.

 

[Deegie]

I can't figure out how to quote with the mobile app. I would certain agree that we are a grassroots organization with little top-down direction and say that current reality is a lamentable evolution of a beautiful plan.

Any comment on the nature of the OT sacrificial system? That's what I posted to discuss.

 

[Cappadocious]

Any comment on the nature of the OT sacrificial system? That's what I posted to discuss.

Perhaps a thread in GT would be appropriate. But then the e-vangelist copypasters might dominate it.

 

[Deegie]

Perhaps a thread in GT would be appropriate. But then the e-vangelist copypasters might dominate it.

Hey...you brought it up, not me!

 

[The Dark Knight]

There is no consensus in the churches of the Anglican Communioni. The church's Articles of Religion and the liturgy itself advance the historic position. However, there is no discipline in the church, so members are free to believe essentially whatever they want, meaning that those who want to think of themselves as separated Catholics are at liberty to do so.

We're free to think of ourselves as Catholic, because that is what we are.

 

[Albion]

We're free to think of ourselves as Catholic, because that is what we are.

You're also free to think of yourself as a Protestant, because that is what you are also.

 

[Deegie]

Isn't it all about "both/and" instead of "either/or" nowadays? LOL.

 

[Albion]

Isn't it all about "both/and" instead of "either/or" nowadays? LOL.

Probably, but again, it all depends on whom you're talking to.

 

[Rachel Rachel]

If I may ask...
Do you feel that what my friend said on the issue was responded to properly? Or do you feel that she was off in what she said and perhaps needed to consider what was said in response? [/COLOR]


Personally, I felt that what my friend was saying was gravely misunderstood - and IMHO, it felt that she was being attacked due to what she was saying because those opposed to it came from the understandings developed in the Protestant Reformation - a camp I agree with on certain things and yet simultaneously feel got A LOT wrong when it came to much of it divorcing itself from the mystical dynamic that Ancient Christianity was very much supportive of.....and some of the responses I did think were a bit poor in regards to what my sister in Christ said. It smacked of the ideology that just because someone believed in/supported that which was Catholic automatically meant that they were off ...and somehow, the goal was the Reformation/going from there.

But I do think it'd be wisdom for others to consider the Eucharist/the concept of DIVINE Connection from the perspective of how the Early Body of Believers saw it when it came to the concept of God's Prescence being manifest (that which is Eternal/WITHOUT limit being simultaneously experienced by that which is Mortal...a mystery). The issue of

Thank you, Gabriel. You are so sweet and beyond awesome! YHVH bless you, my friend.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

TYou are so sweet and beyond awesome! YHVH bless you, my friend.

Blessings to you as well, sister in CHrist Glad you came over and hoping you'd be able to find more healthy discussion/honest dialouge on the Word like you're looking for...