June 10, 2007

• thinking about The Table

       Awhile back Coart and I were acquainted with a guy who studied at
  the Reformed Episcopal seminary in Texas. He was an interesting fellow,
  brimming with ideas about music, art, theology, philosophy which shook
  the little pillars of my worldview. I haven't heard from him in quite a
  while; we need to track him down.
       Anyway, since meeting Mark, we've been curious about the REC. I
  don't know much about the denomination other than it's been around more
  than 100 years. They're Calvinist Episcopalians. (If you remember your
  Anglican history, you'll recall that the Church of England adopted
  Arminius's view of salvation and theology in the 1600s, offering yet
  another reason for the Puritans under Oliver Cromwell to view the
  Anglican church with disfavor.)  Being the curious folks that we are,
  we tracked down a congregation here in Phoenix and visited their
  Eucharist service last evening.
       There's not a whole lot to tell about the service itself; we
  worked our way through a long liturgy that included candles, vestments,
  and many Scripture readings (which are chanted instead of read). The
  rector's sermon was what one expects from an evangelical pastor, with
  perhaps a bit more historical theology thrown in (a brief discussion of
  Trinitarian heresies). The small group of believers were very friendly. But what stood out to me most was the Eucharist itself.
       After so many years in conservative Protestant circles, I find
  myself longing for something "more" in worship practice, especially at
  the Lord's Table. Our fear of Catholic transubstantiation has led us to
  evacuate Communion from any real meaning in our lives .... other than,
  perhaps, an excuse for a guilt trip once a month for our inherent
  sinfulness. If your mom welcomed you to Christmas Dinner each year with
  a review of your recent failures, I doubt you'd get much pleasure out
  of the meal. No wonder many Christians stay home on Communion Sunday.
       NCC is the first church I've ever attended that treats the Lord's
  Supper as a celebration instead of a judgment. Even Mt Calvary, whose
  silent meal followed by soulful singing, was far more focused on
  judging yourself for sin instead of on the Grace of Christ which frees
  us from that sin.
      
  I think the Lord's Supper does impart grace to the taker.  Now I'm not talking
  about "saving grace (ie: I don't think taking communion saves you). But
  in another sense, the grace is salvific -- if we recognize that
  salvation is a process and not a point in time. The Gospel which
  translates me from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His dear
  Son (Colossians 1) is the same Gospel which works itself out over a
  lifetime of sanctification and miraculous transformation from sinner to
  "new creation."
      I think that kind of Grace is imparted
  to us at the Table. This sacrament of the Church (it seems to me) must
  be more than a simple memorial of past events. An illustration:
  Protestant views of Communion seem to treat the event like a visit to
  see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: A
  really meaningful opportunity to increase my appreciation for America's
  veterans who sacrificed themselves for Freedom. 
       But let's be honest. I might miss something by never seeing the
  changing of the guard at Arlington (I haven't), but that doesn't mean I
  can't come to a deep and real appreciation for the military's
  sacrifice. Basically, I can take it or leave it. Should I never pass by
  Arlington again, I will die a complete and "total" American.

  I have a hard time treating the Lord's Supper like a mere memorial with
  no real affect on the believer who partakes of the body and blood of
  Jesus Christ.  .... There's something wrong with this picture....

  • 2:26 pm
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