Non-Catholic Exclusion of the Eucharist

[rcwitness]

Hmm, that’s a new one and goes against everything that I learned

Can you please explain what is new to you? Do you mean that Evangelicals believe Communion doesn’t require a ministerial priesthood? Or that some Evangelicals aren’t comfortable with practicing Communion in groups outside of once a month at the church service (and ministered through the pastor)?

I started the analogy of the meal wayyy back on like page 5 and had it morphed for me 3 or 4 times. And I don’t think that anyone is opposing your viewpoint. There are a handful of us in here who were trying to explain the to the OP her boyfriends viewpoint so that she can better understand where her loved on is coming from (which is what is being told to all us evangelicals in here, that we need to understand), but then just have our explanation of our feelings turned around and told “no, it’s more like this”.

Ah yes, feelings. I know that is a compelling emotion which drives the Evangelical position.

“I feel this” “I feel that”

“I feel abandonment justifies divorce and remarriage”
“I feel Baptism is only a sign of a commitment, but not necessary”

Listen, I am NOT anti-Evangelical. I first heard God’s saving message in this community. I was around 7, maybe. I believed and was “saved” in a real sense. And I didn’t convert against that faith. I converted with that faith and further into more accurate and deep faith. I united with Jesus more profoundly.

Did I sin also against this faith, and put myself in opposition to even the Evangelical principles, at times? Yes! And I have humility to confess to all Christians that I have sinned against them and our Lord. And so, after turning, I have peace through Reconciliation again and the joy of His mercy and grace.

I would love to see the genuine Christians in the denominations come together in Communion! But Communion has a profound meaning for Catholics, and one which, even with all Scripture and Church and Saint and Church father’s testimony, must have His Holy Spirit to give understanding

 

[TC3033]

Can you please explain what is new to you? Do you mean that Evangelicals believe Communion doesn’t require a ministerial priesthood? Or that some Evangelicals aren’t comfortable with practicing Communion in groups outside of once a month at the church service (and ministered through the pastor)?

Bolded, especially the once a month. I still don’t understand that one.

And I’m not anti-Catholic either. The only think point that I was making to the OP is maybe try to understand where your boyfriend is coming from, and maybe show a little compassion.

I never said if anyone was right or wrong. Just trying to help the OP understand his point of view so it may be easier for her to deal with the situation. (I really wish the OP would have come back BTW).

 

[rcwitness]

Bolded, especially the once a month. I still don’t understand that one.

And I’m not anti-Catholic either. The only think point that I was making to the OP is maybe try to understand where your boyfriend is coming from, and maybe show a little compassion.

I never said if anyone was right or wrong. Just trying to help the OP understand his point of view so it may be easier for her to deal with the situation. (I really wish the OP would have come back BTW).

Yes to all!
I think if the relationship is genuine love (between op and bf) then the compassion will be there. And I show respect to my Evangelical brothers and sisters (and parents too) all the time.

Endless arguing is ugly. But when it comes to pushing “open Communion” at the Catholic Church and us members, you will meet a firm stance. We are a Eucharist centered faith and community.

 

[rcwitness]

Bolded, especially the once a month. I still don’t understand that one.

What does your community practice, regarding communion?

 

[TC3033]

What does your community practice, regarding communion?

My church at home has always had communion, open to all Christians, every Sunday.

To me, it seems like this once a month phenomenon started within the last 5-10 years. I’m not sure where or what it’s based in to be honest.

 

[rcwitness]

My church at home has always had communion, open to all Christians, every Sunday.

That’s good.

To me, it seems like this once a month phenomenon started within the last 5-10 years. I’m not sure where or what it’s based in to be honest.

I think older than that. I honestly think it’s an attempt to down play the “ritual” aspect of Communion.

I appreciate a focus on the Spiritual aspect of Communion, for sure! But when we take out the Sacramental reality in Communion, we remove what Jesus established. He instituted His Word into this act.

 

[Wannano]

Can you please explain what is new to you? Do you mean that Evangelicals believe Communion doesn’t require a ministerial priesthood? Or that some Evangelicals aren’t comfortable with practicing Communion in groups outside of once a month at the church service (and ministered through the pastor)?

Ah yes, feelings. I know that is a compelling emotion which drives the Evangelical position.

“I feel this” “I feel that”

“I feel abandonment justifies divorce and remarriage”
“I feel Baptism is only a sign of a commitment, but not necessary”

Listen, I am NOT anti-Evangelical. I first heard God’s saving message in this community. I was around 7, maybe. I believed and was “saved” in a real sense. And I didn’t convert against that faith. I converted with that faith and further into more accurate and deep faith. I united with Jesus more profoundly.

Did I sin also against this faith, and put myself in opposition to even the Evangelical principles, at times? Yes! And I have humility to confess to all Christians that I have sinned against them and our Lord. And so, after turning, I have peace through Reconciliation again and the joy of His mercy and grace.

I would love to see the genuine Christians in the denominations come together in Communion! But Communion has a profound meaning for Catholics, and one which, even with all Scripture and Church and Saint and Church father’s testimony, must have His Holy Spirit to give understanding

I followed CAF for a while before contributing to it. I perceived early on that you have a genuine relationship with Christ. Personally I believe true Christianity is way more than knowing about Christ and following someone else’s dictates. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Memaw]

I agree with you Kliska, on several points. Well past the Biblical era into the early church, there was dissension and disunity. And, yes, the one unifying factor was Baptism. If you were a baptized Christian, you were welcomed wherever you went.

Should we hold to that today? In many cases, we already do.

The only Christians at that time were Catholic Christians. How old is your denomination? God Bless, Memaw

 

[rcwitness]

The only Christians at that time were Catholic Christians. God Bless, Memaw

Right. And divisions and heresies were warned against and condemned by the Apostles and leaders. Abuses too!

And still, John criticizes a bishop (believed to be) in one of his letters for not submitting to their authority.

No doubt disagreements were from the very beginning. That’s why the councils delt with so many over the centuries. When the Church concludes and gives Her confirmation about an issue, we should accept it as bound by Christ.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

The only Christians at that time were Catholic Christians. How old is your denomination? God Bless, Memaw

That’s quite inaccurate. Christians from the beginning had different communities, with different practices and different authorities, spread throughout the known world.

 

[Thorolfr]

My church at home has always had communion, open to all Christians, every Sunday.

To me, it seems like this once a month phenomenon started within the last 5-10 years. I’m not sure where or what it’s based in to be honest.

I was raised Southern Baptist, and even when I was small which is over 45 years ago, they did communion once a month or perhaps even less. So this is not something new among some Christians.

 

[Thorolfr]

That’s quite inaccurate. Christians from the beginning had different communities, with different practices and different authorities, spread throughout the known world.

It is even believed by most modern professional historians of early Christianity that the authors of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John came from distinctly different Christian communities that viewed Jesus in slightly different ways. Once it’s pointed out, it’s quite easy in my opinion, for example, to see how different the Gospel of John is from the Gospel of Mark. These two gospels came from different communities that saw Jesus in different ways, not one unified community with the exact same beliefs. Or take the Gospel of Thomas which is also fairly early but has a somewhat Gnostic way of seeing Jesus. But the Gospel of Thomas was excluded from the later canon.

 

[Padres1969]

I was raised Southern Baptist, and even when I was small which is over 45 years ago, they did communion once a month or perhaps even less. So this is not something new among some Christians.

May have something to do with the non-denominational rise in the last 10-20 years. In my experience most non-denominational churches are more or less Baptist in their beliefs and practices even if not part of one of the major Baptist conferences (there are obviously exceptions and obviously some non-denoms that take from more than one denominational family for their individual beliefs).

 

[JonNC]

My church at home has always had communion, open to all Christians, every Sunday.

To me, it seems like this once a month phenomenon started within the last 5-10 years. I’m not sure where or what it’s based in to be honest.

Growing up, despite my dad’s protests, our parish did communion once a month, the unfortunate influence of Reformed Christianity and a misinformed view of Luther’s statement that Christians should commune no less than 4 times a union. It is often the case that a minimum becomes a norm, or even a maximum.

Jon

 

[TC3033]

I was raised Southern Baptist, and even when I was small which is over 45 years ago, they did communion once a month or perhaps even less. So this is not something new among some Christians.

OK, it was a new one to me probably 5 or 6 years ago.

 

[Wannano]

It is even believed by most modern professional historians of early Christianity that the authors of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John came from distinctly different Christian communities that viewed Jesus in slightly different ways. Once it’s pointed out, it’s quite easy in my opinion, for example, to see how different the Gospel of John is from the Gospel of Mark. These two gospels came from different communities that saw Jesus in different ways, not one unified community with the exact same beliefs. Or take the Gospel of Thomas which is also fairly early but has a somewhat Gnostic way of seeing Jesus. But the Gospel of Thomas was excluded from the later canon.

This is an enlightening concept for me. I have struggled with the fog that obscures the reality of the first centuries.

 

[rcwitness]

That’s quite inaccurate. Christians from the beginning had different communities, with different practices and different authorities, spread throughout the known world.

Can you give an example?

 

[commenter]

Originally Posted by ComplineSanFran View Post
That’s quite inaccurate. Christians from the beginning had different communities, with different practices and different authorities, spread throughout the known world.

It is even believed by most modern professional historians of early Christianity that the authors of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John came from distinctly different Christian communities that viewed Jesus in slightly different ways. Once it’s pointed out, it’s quite easy in my opinion, for example, to see how different the Gospel of John is from the Gospel of Mark. These two gospels came from different communities that saw Jesus in different ways, not one unified community with the exact same beliefs. Or take the Gospel of Thomas which is also fairly early but has a somewhat Gnostic way of seeing Jesus. But the Gospel of Thomas was excluded from the later canon.

If there were multiple theologies and multiple NT canons early on, apparently some humanly visible, respected central authority must have pulled them together, and threw out the chaff. Doctrine and practice on Eucharist were brought to unity, in agreement with the Faith. Some things got kicked out. (by whom?) Mark and John were decreed to be different but both compatible with the Faith; Gospel of Thomas got ejected. (Ejected by whom?)

 

[rcwitness]

It is even believed by most modern professional historians of early Christianity that the authors of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John came from distinctly different Christian communities that viewed Jesus in slightly different ways. Once it’s pointed out, it’s quite easy in my opinion, for example, to see how different the Gospel of John is from the Gospel of Mark. These two gospels came from different communities that saw Jesus in different ways, not one unified community with the exact same beliefs. Or take the Gospel of Thomas which is also fairly early but has a somewhat Gnostic way of seeing Jesus. But the Gospel of Thomas was excluded from the later canon.

First of all, this is quite vague, to say, “… saw Jesus in different ways”

What does that mean? Can you provide an example of these “different ways” Jesus was viewd?

 

[rcwitness]

I followed CAF for a while before contributing to it. I perceived early on that you have a genuine relationship with Christ. Personally I believe true Christianity is way more than knowing about Christ and following someone else’s dictates. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you very much Wannano!