Read the Large Catechism with me.
Ten-minute studies on short readings from the Large Catechism.
Let's do this.
Click on the link below and read the short assigned reading. Then, if you have time, check out what I have to say about it. If not, no problem. Just soak up the goodness of the LC.
The Sacrament of the Altar, Introduction: Click here and read 1-7.
The basics:
- Luther will address this Sacrament in the same way he addressed Baptism: What is it? What are its benefits?, and Who is to receive it?
- The words of Christ instituted this Sacrament: "Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and gave it to His disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup when He had supped, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me."
- It should not be the intention of our pastors to admit and administer this Sacrament to those who do not know what they seek, or why they come.
- Luther uses this introduction to state that he will not be dealing with the controversies surrounding this Sacrament, because he will just stick to the basics. The chief point is the Word and ordinance of God, because it was not invented or introduced by any man, but instituted by Christ Himself.
- We must stand guard against those who teach the Sacraments as something that we do instead of what God says they are and what He does.
My thoughts today:
Luther, how can you seriously have two paragraphs of an introduction that squash so many heresies with such ease? You are awesome. Yeah, yeah, I know...not you, but God working through you. I am still learning from you how to speak about vocation.
The truth is Luther is awesome because he just plainly takes the words of the Bible and then does something crazy - HE BELIEVES THEM! I know, a totally radical thought.
You mean I don't have to try to explain it?
You mean I can just say "is means is" and "baptize means baptize?"
You mean I don't have to be a biblical scholar to understand the basics of the Sacraments of Baptism and Communion?
Yep. I am pretty sure that is exactly what Luther means. And that, folks, is why he is awesome.
