Luther and the Eucharist

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Hello there. I have found myself in a discussion with a Lutheran regarding the Liturgy specifically the Eucharist. He is an LCMS parishoner and has told me that he was very close to coming home to Rome. So I know ultimately that the issue is not that they have a "eucharist’ but whether or not their “eucharist” is valid. Now I know that it is not valid since Lutherans do not have a validly ordained ministerial priesthood and that they deny the sacrificial nature of Holy Mass but trying to explain that to a very informed Lutheran is another story. So:
  1. Once Luther broke from the Church and given that he was a validly ordained priest, were his
    Eucharists valid though illicit?
  2. Once I have established whether or not his eucharists were valid, when did they become invalid after the reformation?
  3. I have read that Lutherans think that anyone can “confect” the Eucharist in the Lutheran Church based on Luther’s priesthood of the faithful, is that a uniform belief?
  4. They believe in the “Real Presence” but I know that it is drastically different from what we KNOW the Eucharist to be. So how can I logically explain this to him?
More questions may be forthcoming…
 
To me, it is more important to realize that Luther did accept Catholic communion for many years because he was a devout Catholic until some of his writings changed things. The act of making a new Eucharist practice will hopefully end up like the recent Coptic Church and Pope Francis’ agreement on Baptism. It was an amazing moment in Church history.

Link: Pope in Egypt: Catholics and Copts recognise shared baptism
 
I figured that was the case: his eucharists were valid but illicit. So the next quesiton is whether or not some Bishops followed him in his error. If they did, and therefore had the indellible mark that goes with being a priest and bishop, then if they laid hands on subsequent Lutheran pastors, does that then mean that they did in fact and are still confecting a valid eucharist. I personally do not think so since their understanding of the nature of the Eucharist is markedly differenent than ours; ie, transubstantiation vs. sacramental union or really consubstantiation.
 
Rather than hit him over the head with Theology, why not just invite him to your parish? He can google answers like everyone else. He needs for you, his friend, to show love and show him your faith community. welcomign, your priest kind, and your liturgy beautiful? That will sway him more.
 
That would be fantastic but he lives in NC and I live in Boston, lol. Besides, he is very informed regarding theology (Lutheran that is) and is somewhat informed with Catholic teaching.
 
I hope. But we have to give an accounting of what we believe. I am trying to do that. Right now I am reading something on Lutheran teaching on the Eucharist from the LCMS website. I have been furiously making notes on points that are just obviously wrong.
 
thanks…it’s a learing process which is good. Solidifies what I already know to be true and gives me a chance to dig in and know what they believe so I can be a better “apologist”
 
I personally don’t think Luther even deserves to be in the same sentence as. The Euchrist! 😉

Some of that is my own. baggage though.
 
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True that but I have to engage him in language that is common although not the same theologically. No?
 
Absolutely! I have an ex - Lutheran friend I have been trying to convert, he seems open to the idea so far.
 
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