Well, the body of Christ is much bigger than just offiical members of the Catholic Church. I understand that the Orthodox Churches have the same view of the Eucharist as the Catholic Church. However, God’s final judgement of our eternity does not rest in our understanding of the Eucharist within the context of the warning of 1 Cor 11.
The vast majority of them most likely do, but without being able to explain it very well.
Careful there! You are putting God to the test, aren’t you? Jesus did nothing that was without eternal import. He taught on the bread of life just before the Passover. At the last supper, the most important supper, He taught that the bread and wine were no longer bread and wine, but rather, His Body and Blood. Why would He do that, if it was symbolic or unneeded? Once you start labeling things symbolic, where do you stop?
Thanks for the warning. But please remember that you are addressing a Protestant Christian; therefore, our perspectives are completely different. I do not hold the position that you do, but I don’t go as far to say that you are partaking in an unworthy manner (especially since I’m on a Catholic Forum site
)Oh… I don’t doubt that a large percentage may understand what the official Catholic position is in regards to the Eucharist. I guess I was curious to see how many Catholics actually believe that the elements change to the actual body and literal blood of Christ.
In response, please go back to the iron sharpening iron idea for the purpose to grow our love for God as fellow Christians. We are brothers, or at least seperated brothers, or step brothers, or something like that.
This is the most honest and coherent post you have made … yes, you are a protesting Christian …Thanks for the warning. But please remember that you are addressing a Protestant Christian; therefore, our perspectives are completely different. I do not hold the position that you do, but I don’t go as far to say that you are partaking in an unworthy manner (especially since I’m on a Catholic Forum site
I was wondering why God would not care about our understanding of the Eucharist, since we have no life within us unless we knowingly partake of it. That’s all. My questions are rhetorical, and meant to stimulate thought. My concern is not that Catholics partake of the Eucharist, but rather that so many others do not. Who authorized the change in belief? And, by what authority? Points to ponder.Thanks for the warning. But please remember that you are addressing a Protestant Christian; therefore, our perspectives are completely different. I do not hold the position that you do, but I don’t go as far to say that you are partaking in an unworthy manner (especially since I’m on a Catholic Forum site
Well, I recant of my label of Protestant. Let’s change my title to a non-Catholic Christian for the sake of unity.This is the most honest and coherent post you have made … yes, you are a protesting Christian …
You are protesting 1500 years of Christian belief …
You are protesting our God given Free Will … our freedom to chose to turn towards God or away from God … [you actually echo what a presbyterian professor once stated in my Pauline Scriptures Studies class in graduate school … he stated that “saving faith was like a telephone … since God knows from eternity who will answer [pick up the phone] when he calls, he does not need to make the phone ring for those who don’t answer”] …
You are protesting the Body of Blood of Christ … the Cup of Blessing that is Blessed … the Participation in the Death adn Resurrection of Christ … and you may being doing this to your peril [not for me to judge … that is for God alone … but the scriptures give us that warning] …
You are protesting the Church established by Christ and the unity that is professed and expressed by Paul when he writes to the "Church in ____ " PAul never writes to “the _____ Church” as if it is distinct in belief, faith or practice …
You are protesting against Christ’s command to partake of the Eucharist [His Body and Blood] the very Felsh and Blood which comes down from heaven for Eternal Life …
The Holy Spirit opens eyes and causes all conversions. We are witnesses, perhaps having some small usefulness in the process, but Glory goes to God.
Now, that’s the preceived attitude that concerns me. When ECT 1 and ECT II documents were forumlated, I don’t think the Eucharist became a dividing line in reconcilation between Catholics and Protestants.
I understand and accept that people believe in Christ beyond the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. In your earlier post, you used the term “bigger” in reference to God, not his Church. So you haven’t really answered the question.
We are separated brothers in Christ, and you are here to sharpen us, and vice versa. That is how the Lord works. I gladly accept any and all sharpening.In response, please go back to the iron sharpening iron idea for the purpose to grow our love for God as fellow Christians. We are brothers, or at least seperated brothers, or step brothers, or something like that.
Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
I think many can interpert this post as being a dividing line of being converted to Christ. We know Saul was unconverted and an enemy of the cross until he became Paul. Since Protestants do not have the same theological positon as the Catholic Church in regards to the Eucharist, you are saying that we do not know Christ and are not united to Christ. Yet, this perspective goes against the Catholic Catechism in receivng Protestants who are baptized as your seperated brethern. You guys have gone beyond the Magestrieum from my interpertation of the line that you created.
Well, nothing is more important than the source and summit of our faith - Jesus Christ, but the rejection of Church authority was the big divider. We cannot live in the past, no matter how sinful or blessed. We are here and now, and one of our tasks is Christian unity, as time is short. I say never mind when the last day comes - the last breath that each of us takes is our personal end times. And, as Father John Corapi says: “One day, forever, you and I will be in Heaven or hell. Period.”
Not at all, IMO. Having believed in Christ your entire life, you can have a SOT moment in realizing that the Eucharist really is Christ.
Are you familar with ECT 1 and ECT 2? I was opposed to both documents for years, but I have reconsidered my position on ecumenical attempts between both branches of Christianity.
I am not familiar with those documents. However, there is so much more that unites us than divides us. Jesus prayed that we be one, as He and the Father are one. Of the Evangelicals who have converted to the Catholic Church, all of them are very thankful for their Evangelical roots. An excellent example is Mark P. Shea, who has written a short book on the process that he personally experienced on his way to belief in the Eucharist. He has not one bad thing to say about his Evangelical background.
