This is for the Lutherans to clarify but just in case they don’t frequent CAF, I’ll give my views.
We’ll take it from here.
In all seriousness, I’d like to thank you for this opening statement. Too often, folks will impose what they think others believe as fact. It is so very welcoming to us non-Catholics that you took the time to acknowledge that it is for Lutherans to explain Lutheran thinking. It’s appreciated.
As reformation Christians, Lutherans do not believe the natural substances of the bread and wine are changed at the Lord’s Supper.
Ja und nein. While Lutherans do not believe that the bread and wine effectively cease to exist as in Transubstantiation, “The Lutheran tradition affirms the Catholic tradition that the consecrated elements do not simply remain bread and wine but rather by the power of the creative word are given as the body and blood of Christ. In this sense Lutherans also could occasionally speak, as does the Greek tradition, of a change.” (
Conflict to Communion quoting the Lutheran-Catholic Dialogues, Round IV, 1953. It’s worth noting that this was a section that even Confessional Lutherans agreed with, not just Liberal agree-with-anyone ecumenicalists) In other words, the consecration is real. The Verba have real power.
Consubstantiation is the term that I’ve heard used in classic Lutheranism, ie the spiritual presence of the Lord co-exists with the natural substance of the bread and wine. The image of iron in the fire is often used: iron used as an analogy for the natural substances of bread and wine and the fire being the real presence of Christ.
No. Lutherans do not believe in Consubstantiation. Any Lutheran who says this either does not understand what he is saying or is no Lutheran with regard to the Supper. Consubstantiation and Transubstantiation are both Artistotelian terms that can be interpreted as ways of saying
how the Real Presence comes to be. Lutherans are against explaining away this miracle. Instead, they prefer the term “Sacramental Union.” It is merely an acknowledgement of Christ’s words that His Body and Blood is really, truly present in, with, under, around, inside, outside, over, and in every way in the Bread and Wine – yet not replacing the Bread and Wine (Transubstantiation) nor co-mingled or creating a new substance (Consubstantiation). It is a mystery. Lutherans object to anything that explains any further than that, similar to the Orthodox in the respect.
A note about the term “Consubstantiation.” It was invented by Crypto-Calvinists (Calvinist pastors who pretended to be Lutheran in order to essentially convert the Lutheran churches to Calvinism) to confuse Lutherans into thinking their beliefs on the Supper were erroneously similar to Roman Catholics and that John Calvin’s beliefs on the Supper were correct. The real Lutherans who stayed faithful were called Gnesio-Lutherans.
Additionally, Lutherans occupy a spectrum with varying degrees of commitment to classical Lutheranism so the requirements for a valid consecration may vary as it does among many Protestant groups.
Eucharistic doctrine is not uniform as it is amongst Catholics and there is not one Lutheran church but a federation of churches with various levels of connections to each other and influenced by other forms of Protestant doctrine.
Sadly, this is true. There are many “Lutherans” who are, in actuality, not Lutheran at all. The measure of Lutheranism is the degree to which a body adheres to the Lutheran Confessions. Groups that hold tightly to them are called Confessional Lutherans (WELS, LCMS, ELS, etc.). Confessional Lutherans typically don’t consider the more liberal groups (ELCA, Church of Sweden, etc.) to even be Lutheran, and accordingly do not share fellowship or communion.
See this thread for more info on different Lutheran groups.
Most Protestants would say bread (leavened or unleavened) and wine (or grape juice) are necessary, the words of the Lord at the Last Supper should be prayed and his death and passion commemorated.
The question of who recites the prayer would vary across the denominations but classical Lutherans would require an ordained minister to preside. Those on the other side of the spectrum would be less prescriptive and may accept lay presidency at the Lord’s Supper.
That said, amongst Protestants, classical Lutherans have the highest Eucharistic doctrine, higher even than classical Anglicans. Luther did not suppress the sacrament of Penance and saw it as a fitting preparation for Holy Communion.
Thank you for your kind words toward classical/Confessional Lutheranism. We do hold a high view of the Supper. Some have said Lutherans hold the Supper higher than Catholics due to the ‘mystery’ nature of the transformative Word, opposed to the ‘explained miracle’ that is dependent merely on succession (I don’t think it’s wise to brag about who’s more pious, myself!
).
Anyway… Lutherans don’t use words like “valid” to describe the Supper, but in order to avoid confusion, offense, or potential false use, the following things should
always take place:
- The Verba must be spoken. It is the Word that effects the “change” in the elements, not any person.
- Administered by a called and ordained pastor. It is what the church has charged them to do, and it explicitly noted in the Lutheran Confessions.
- Consist of Bread and Wine. These were the elements used by Christ.
- Confession and Absolution must take place before communion (during the Divine Service, if not individually).
