RE: [asa] Pregnancy & Communio

George said: "The idea that there is some conflict between justification by faith and belief that the sacraments are means of grace is a basic error that afflicts many of the protestants you mention."

Don't the majority of Protestants reject "the sacraments are means of grace?" Looks that way to me, from this source:
http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html#families

I wouldn't say "they have a basic error" but more likely accept it as a genuine disagreement within the Christian faith.

...Bernie
________________________________
From: George Murphy [mailto:GMURPHY10@neo.rr.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 2:54 PM
To: Dehler, Bernie
Cc: asa@calvin.edu
Subject: Re: [asa] Pregnancy & Communio

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dehler, Bernie" <bernie.dehler@intel.com<mailto:bernie.dehler@intel.com>>
Cc: <asa@calvin.edu<mailto:asa@calvin.edu>>
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 4:25 PM
Subject: RE: [asa] Pregnancy & Communio

> What if an unbeliever sneaks in and eats a eucharist wafer, just as a prank- would he also be saved? Seems to be along the same lines. For most Protestants, not an issue since communion is just symbolic... it is nothing in and of itself... just bread and wine (or grape juice).
The fact that the body and blood of Christ are objectively present in the Lord's Supper and received by all who commune does not mean that they receive it to their benefit. I.e., it isn't magic. The Cathechism of the Catholic Church, par.1385, speaks of proper preparation and self-examination for communicants so that they do not eat and drink judgment upon themselves (I Cor.27-29). Unfortunately this does not mention what in the Lutheran understanding is proper preparation - d.h., faith.
"A person who has faith in these words, "given for you" and "shed for you ... for the forgiveness of sin" is really worthy and well prepared." (Luther's Small Catechism)

The idea that there is some conflict between justification by faith and belief that the sacraments are means of grace is a basic error that afflicts many of the protestants you mention.

Shalom
George
http://home.neo.rr.com/scitheologyglm

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Received on Wed Nov 5 18:41:30 2008