Questions about transubstantiation

[Zirconia]

Two questions:

First, can someone(s) clearly and concisely explain the difference between transubstantiation and consubstantiation in language suitable for a confused Protestant?

Second, and apologies if this has already been answered elsewhere, but if transubstantiation really occurs, does this mean that someone who is allergic to wheat can take communion with no ill effects?

Zirconia

 

[vocatio]

No…

not easy to explain or understand. But I do believe…John 6

But if you have wheat allergies, you can still receive the blood of Christ and still receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ. Either Or or Both suffice.

 

[Bubble]

It might help to understand some of the terminology.

The appearance of the bread, for instance, is also called accident. This is an external reality, which we can experience with our senses—see, taste, etc.

Substance is the internal reality—sort of like how humans have souls. Science can test the accident of a living organism to determine if it’s a human being, but it cannot test the substance of that same organism to determine if it has a soul.

After the consecration, the substance (the internal reality) has chanaged into Jesus—Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. **The accident has not–meaning that the bread retains its scientific properties, which means that a person with wheat allergies would have an allergic reaction to the wheat in the Bread. **

In transubstantiation, Christ does not take away the bread and wine and replace it with His body under the form of bread and wine. Nor, is He present beside the bread and wine. In transubstantion, Christ changes the substance of the bread and wine into His Body and Blood.

I’m not 100% on this, but consubstantiation teaches that the substance of the bread and wine are not changed at all, but that Christ dwells beside the substance.

 

[JonNC]

I’m not 100% on this, but consubstantiation teaches that the substance of the bread and wine are not changed at all, but that Christ dwells beside the substance.

Close. Lutherans believe that “in, with, and under” the bread and wine is the true and substantial body and blood of Christ.