Many of you have expressed interest in some of the specifics of Lutheran teaching. And really, I can hardly restrain myself. I feel like I’ve just found out that Dillard’s is giving out free IPODS to everyone who visits the shoe counter…..that’s how much this teaching has wowed me. There are two teachings in particular that are very different than what’s taught in most American Evangelical churches today; those that surround Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. I’ll attempt to tackle the Lord’s Supper in two parts over the next few days.
In part I, I will explain what Lutherans believe the Bible teaches about the Lord’s Supper and in part II, I will present common arguments against the ‘real presence’ and how we Lutherans answer those arguments. Let me say first that I am no Bible scholar and though I have listened to and read many Lutheran scholars for hours and hours on this subject, I realize I have serious limitations. I do not speak Greek or Hebrew or Latin and I have not been to seminary. (But I know a few people who do and have and I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night). I pray for God’s mercy that I will explain things clearly, with humility, and with the sincerity that His teachings deserve. I will refer you to my favorite Lutheran pastor if this discussion gets over my head. I’ve heard before that you don’t really understand a subject unless you can explain it to someone else. This is my attempt at that. And we should be able to defend our faith and practices. I’m working on that one too.
Let’s dig in.
Lutherans teach the ‘real presence’ in the Lord’s Supper. That the true body and blood of Christ is present ‘in, with, and under’ the bread and wine. There are several scriptures which can be used, but they all have similiar language: “Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take eat; this IS my body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this IS my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” I could stop there I guess. We take Jesus at His word. And since as far back as the time of the apostles, the blessing and giving of the Lord’s Supper has been central to the church’s gathering. In Lutheran churches, it is THE central event of the worship service. Worship is literally the receiving of God’s gifts (His word and sacrament) and returning thanks to Him for those gifts. The Lord’s table is positioned centrally with the pulpit off to the side. These guys are serious about Christ-centered, cross-focused worship.
Most Lutheran churches serve communion every Sunday……taking advantage of every opportunity to receive the blessings promised with the sacrament; namely, the forgiveness of sins. I have to admit that I struggled with this when becoming Lutheran. ‘Eating the Lord’s body….drinking His blood’…..how can this be? Surely He meant a ‘spiritual’ type eating. It just didn’t sound right. At least not to my rational mind. Lutherans don’t attempt to explain how it is this happens. It still looks like bread and wine…..it tastes like bread and wine, and yet Christ says ‘This IS my body and blood’. Jesus’ words have always been powerful like that though. He spoke the worlds into being, he spoke and turned water into wine, he spoke and food multiplied, he spoke and people were healed. Miracles are part and parcel of the christian life, so why is this one so hard for us? Because we’re reasonable and rational and because this teaching doesn’t fit into a nice little box that we can easily explain. We serve a God who thinks and works outside the box. And we can try to twist His words to fit our rational or we can simply take Him at His word.
Why did God choose bread and wine? Maybe He intended for us to see the sacrament as the very sustenance of life. We literally live by the body and blood of Christ. It is likely not a coincidence that just as God used manna in the desert and fed the 5000 and instituted the Passover supper , he also feeds us now…Himself, his body broken for us, his blood poured out for us….. for the forgiveness of sins. He gives us this sacrament in the form of eating and drinking because it’s a concept we understand. We must have food to live. Even more so, we must have His food to truly live.
Almost all churches, I suspect, observe the Lord’s Supper in some form. In the churches where I grew up, it was called an ordinance—-a fancy word meaning law. In the Lutheran church, the sacrament is pure gospel. The unmerited grace of God given to us freely. In my prior experience, it was a ‘representation’ of something Christ did. Lutherans believe it is the means by which Christ’s forgiveness is granted to us…..over and over again. Previously, I was taught that I needed to be ‘right’ with God in order to take communion. Lutherans teach God makes me right with Him in His supper as He imparts His grace to me. To ‘discern His body’ in the Supper, properly understood, I think, means to acknowledge His true presence there.
Lutherans do not believe the scripture teaches transubstantiation as Catholics teach. Of all denominations, Lutherans tend to hold one of the highest views of the sacrament. It is not an ordinance or a representation. It is pure, free, powerful gift from God. A concrete, physical means by which I can know I have received God’s forgiveness and grace…..rather than looking for concrete evidence in myself…in how much I am improving in the christian life. I am so thankful for this tangible gift that Christ gives. We are doubting physical beings who need physical sustenance and reassurance. His supper is His means of giving us both.
For an audio clip on this teaching, click here. Or try this article , written by Todd Wilken. In the next couple of days, I’ll post part II. I welcome your thoughts, your church’s practice, even your questions….which I may or may not be able to answer. Some scripture references include Matt. 26: 26-28 and I. Cor. 11:23. May God bless the reading and studying of His word.
Winners for the giveaway posted on Monday. Yes, I said winnerZ. My family insisted on more than one. You lucky blog friends-a-mine.
i love you…i need help. don’t go to makin fun of me….okay
so when i take communion you believe that i am ACTUALLY LITERALLY eating jesus’ body and FOR REAL drinking his blood….like it turns into his flesh in my mouth? like literally? and if that is so….it is better than just FIGURATIVELY because? ok…i know i sound mean…but really I AM NOT. i am curious….honestly
we are lookin for a new chuch with the move and all…i hate church shoppin liek i hate bra shoppin…but for different reasons.
one more — let’s just HYPOTHETICALLY speakin say I have a whole bunch of sin all buried away in me — like evil bad wicked sin — and i took communion…would god pull out his angry eyebrows on me….or what would happen? HYPOTHETICALLY speakin
I liked reading this…both parts. Thank you for posting this for all to read, it’s a wonderful message. Closely related to Presbyterians; which is what I am. Not totally related, but closely I say.
Have a wonderful weekend…….Hey, I think I forgot to tell you…but I have something for you over at my blog. You’ll have to scroll to Tuesday, ok.
Dear friend CG,
I know…it’s a tough concept…at least it was for me. But Christ can be physically ‘present’ without occupying physical space; as in the instance where he walked through the wall of the temple. He ‘physically’ appeared on the other side. We almost all agree on other such miracles in the scriptures…the immaculate conception, the resurrection, the incarnation. It’s hard to wrap our minds around any of it. But otherwise, we’re left to ‘ignore’ His own words when He says, “This is my body”. We reject the notion of cannabalism as some have accused. We are only partaking in the Supper as He has commanded us to. So yes His literal body and blood but present in a physical way that only He could be. Does that make sense? Still literal bread and wine too.
As for the evil bad sin…..yes, we are all full of evil, bad sin….the real wicked kind….everytime we partake of it…and that’s why we so need the forgiveness provided in the Supper so desperately.
And thank you so much for your bravery…..to ask. I would love to recommend a Lutheran church (the Missouri Synod variety) to you. It’s rich historic worship where you will always here the gospel and always be served ‘the Supper’. (At least that’s been my experience). It’s a little hard to get used to for us holy roller types…..but there’s so much depth to it and it is intensely Christ-centered.
In the words of Martin Luther, we are beggars, all.
Love and hugs and wishes for many more communions for us all!
Katy, Thank you so much for the blog award. You are too kind. You Calvinist, you.
That was a very interesting read, Edie. We go to a non-denominational church, but I think it’s just because we were raised going to this church(hubby) and I went to one similar when my Dad was alive. I have never been to a Lutheran church.
okay — go i looked some stuff up and u r right it does say those things…literally….but if i can be so bold…may i ask just one more tiny question …please. if you don’t wanna answer you can ignore…
but talk to me about PW….music? no music? reason? purpose? etc….
i hope you understand that i am NOT challenging you, i am truly curious.
I love this little talk we’re having. I think I’ll pour me some coffee with a little cream and sit by the fire to type….and make you a cup too and let you try the chocolate chip shortbread cookies I made today which are todiefor. As for PW (which I should remember means praise and worship)…that’s a loaded question for me. I intend to do a PW post sometime but I know what I have to say on the subject won’t be popular. Anyhoo, Lutherans believe that the Bible teaches that worship is ‘us receiving God’s gifts’ and praise is the returning of thanks to Him. Music is a very important part of the service but probably not like what you’re used to. Pipe organ, piano….singing old hymns and singing the psalms…..would all be part of Lutheran worship….with the climax being the Lord’s Supper. Most Lutheran teaching that I have heard would guard against a lot of what goes on in modern PW because it tends to be very man-centered—-songs that say what “I” am doing for the Lord–or how much “I” love the Lord….versus what He has done so graciously for me.
If you think about contemporary worship, it often does bring the focus onto those people who are performing the songs and is often constructed to evoke an emotional response. The ‘divine service’ as its’ called in the Lutheran liturgy is taken almost exclusively from scripture….and has carefully been guarded over the years so that it does not become man-centered.
Contemporary worship also leaves anyone who’s too old or feeble or disabled at a strong disadvantage. It’s hard to dance around and wave your hands when you are suffering….physically or mentally. It tends to play to the emotions—as the songs often have very little depth musically or lyrically. And it tends to in general follow the culture.
Lutheran hymns tend to be written by theologians or masterful musicians or both…..and often are handed down from hundreds of years ago. The music is some of the most beautiful I have ever heard….and despite the fact that it’s not engineered to play on the emotions, it often does leave me blurry eyed. But then we all know I’m a cry baby.
Just try it. It’ll be different for sure. It reminds me of reading a C.S. Lewis book….it gets better after the 5th or 20th time you’re exposed to it. Amazing depth.
Any more coffee?
Edie, Thank you for sharing this. I love learning how other Christians believe and worship. Jesus did say this was a hard teaching. I do believe with all my heart, the Scriptures.
One thing I might be very wrong in, but I hope I am not wrong, is that Jesus did teach this in a common way, during Passover. It was during their meal. We have had communion at the dinner table. We have got our Bibles out and read the Scripture and quoted God’s Word and had communion, yes, at the dinner table with our family.
We are to do this to remember Him. We do remember Him and the more often, the better. I appreciate so much, your sharing about the Luthren Faith. I do not dis-agree. Jesus said, “This is MY Body, and This is MY Blood.” It’s a fact. Praise His name. I’m so thankful for His Word and I do believe it.
Have a blessed weeknd. Kathi
mmmm — soakin in the thoughts and he cookie in my coffee,,,
let me think out loud…so is there a wrpng way? is there a way that is displeasing to god? or is it more the uniquness of the person…the spirit of the child….
ET would express her love to me in poen
MT would express his love to me in touch
BT would express his love to me in actions…doing…
all are so so precious to me and bring me such joy…all unique…all right for different reasons….ET could never do what baby twerp does and it have the same impact on me….
do you think maybe (i really have no clue here…i am truly askin) that is depends on the persons spirit,,,their intentions…their heart…if they are seeking THEIR glory or truly HIS…so is there a right or wrong way?
uhm, can i switch over to decaf?
Decaf for sure. I’m loving your analogy with your kids. And I do believe that God loves and understands the groanings of our heart….just like we do our little ones.
The rest of it, I need to sleep on. Since I switched to decaf, I can’t stay awake.
Love you all,
Edie
I really loved this post and I loved reading the dialogue between you and CG . . . very interesting. Thanks for the information on what Lutherans believe. I am now remembering the last time we took communion at our church (Christmas-time) about my pastor commenting on Lutherans taking communion at every service.
I have also heard of people taking Communion daily at home.
I also love how you pointed out how so many churches make worship about them (“I”) and not about Him. We have very contemporary PW music at my church, and I am going to make an effort to really pay attention to our music and my pastors sermons and see where they are focused. Thanks for challenging me.
I really don’t have anything to add or questions or disagreements but I will say this. I sure do love Jesus with all of my heart, soul, strength, and mind!!!
You know what, I’ve changed my mind. I do have one question. Do Lutherans believe in election like Calvinists?
Michele,
Thank you so much for joining us. Pull up a chair and I’ll pour ya some coffee! You are referring the one of the 5 points of Calvinism. (Total depravity, Unconditional Election, , Limited Atonement, Irrresistable Grace, and Perserverance of the Saints). I studied that acronym like I was gonna take a test over it when I became Lutheran. I was forever bringing flow-charts and power point presentations to my pastor to see if I finally understood it. (I’m sort of joking). Lutherans believe in the total depravity of man–but that Christ died for ALL–not just ‘the elect’. We can resist God’s grace. And lutherans do not believe in the perserverance of the saints. We believe that you can reject God’s atonement and therefore ‘lose your salvation’. But not that you willy-nilly ‘lose’ it everyday because you still sin. You would have to reject Him and His redemptive work in Christ. Hope that helps!
I’m glad you are going to pay close attention to your church’s worship style and message. This is what I started doing when I first listened to Lutheran teaching on the radio (Issues Etc. org). it did’t take that long before I realized that half the time there wasn’t even a clear presentation of the gospel. And I started to feel like the music was manipulative—-like if someone didn’t come ‘forward’ at the altar call—let’s sing 3 more stanzas and pour on the guilt. In the Lutheran church, communion is like the altar call. Everyone comes forward–every week–to receive God’s body and blood for forgiveness. We all need it all the time.
Lutheran pastors tend to present God’s word clearly–minus any dramatic manipulations. They let His word which is sharp and powerful unto itself–do the work, along with the Holy Spirit.
Have a great weekend and hope your worship holds Christ firmly at the center!!
Love and blessings and thanks for chiming in
Where were we CG? Ya know, I think what you’re touching on is unity. And Lutherans, more than any denomination I have ever been apart of, appreciate and foster unity. We christians are all in this together from the catholics to the primitive baptists. My pastor always like to emphasize the things we have in common—a common belief in the redemptive, saving work of Christ on our behalf. They also have been very careful in the history of the Lutheran denomination to not let anything ‘creep’ into the worship service that doesn’t hold firmly to having Christ at the center. I think other denom. have maybe not been so careful.
So while we would embrace the unity of believers—and would want discussions about differences to be kind and with all love and humility, we would also protect the gospel of Christ first and foremost. For ‘it is the power of God unto salvation’. So when you say that we all express our love for God differently, that’s true. But we must guard against making it ‘all about me’. As long as He is the focus and the true center, then it’s Christ-centered worship. That’s harder to do than we think though. ‘Cause we’re already all so self-centered. It shouldn’t surprise us that we want our worship to be just like we want it. For me, the Lutheran style of worship takes the focus off the people and puts it back on Christ.
When I first discovered Lutheranism, it blew me away. I had been ‘in church’ all my life and won bible drill many times! but still had never heard things explained in this Christ-centered way. I learned every parable wrong, many Bible stories I had been taught wrong. So many things Ive had to relearn. And I’m still not sure at times how to share all the great stuff I’m learning without being offensive.
You know what though, whatever it is that gets us talking about and thinking about our faith in Christ is a good thing.
This unity and ‘communion of saints’ that the Bible speaks of is cool thing. That means you and I will worship together tomorrow–along with all the saints of old. I call sitting by David. Who’s your favorite Bible person?
So happy you visited my blog! Found your post really interesting.The message was really good. thanks for sharing.
Have a great weekend,
LuLu
Thank you for this discussion!!!
I tend to condemn myself with the thought that all *good christians* should be meek and quiet and never venture from plain Jane. I tend to be loud and fun and drawn to bright colors and florals and LOTS of sweets and LOTS of everything. I KNOW that God made us all unique and for His purpose but in me it is hard to see that.
I have read that you should pick one purpose for your blog or you will lose readers. I LOVE that *we* are discussing lip gloss, hairbows, cookie recipes, laughing and discussing deep theology all in one “converstaion” because….Thats how I roll 🙂
I came accross something I thought Id share with you……
Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS) has a beautiful set of Catechism posters available FREE to anyone interested. There are six posters, one for each of the six chief parts of the Small Catechism of Martin Luther. They are 22×28 and include a background illustration along with the printed words. contact the seminary Admission Office at (800)481-2155 or email posters@ctsfw.edu
BTW I am a reformed Presbyterian 🙂
Sola Gratia,
kathy
Sitting down late to the party and offering to refill your cup of coffee now . . .
As a (relatively new) Catholic, I have a question for you – how is transubstantiation not the belief in the real presence of the Eucharist? What part of it do Lutherans not believe, while still believing in the real presence? Frankly, that is what I thought transubstantiation was. . . . just curious!
I didn't know that Lutherans believed in the real presence at all. I knew that they had a similar "format" to their church service to Catholics (and Episcopalians, and Orthodox) – and one of my dear, dear childhood friends "converted" to Lutheranism (one who attended all those churches that I did, and actually was my high school boyfriend – but that is a different story) and we've talked at length about our "reverting" back to more traditional denominations – and he's mentioned that he doesn't believe in transubstantiation (boy that is a big word to type one handed with a baby in the other arm!:) but I took that as not believing in the real presence.
So please, I'm intrigued!
Part of the reason I joined the Catholic church was because I came to believe in the literal meaning of Jesus' words and the literal real presence in the Eucharist. I'm excited to know that you do too!
But just confused about the details.
Thank you and God Bless!
Sarah