I’ve spent the last nine months studying the Lord’s Supper—working through the New Testament texts, exploring the Jewish Passover context in which it was instituted (including what participation in a sacrifice and true remembrance would have meant), reading early church writings through the Middle Ages, and engaging perspectives from Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Reformed traditions. After studying passages such as John 6, 1 Corinthians 10–11, and Luke 22, along with the historical record, I have become convinced that Christ is uniquely present in, with, or through the bread and wine in Communion. I do not mean carnally or locally, but truly and spiritually. Biblically, I believe there is a strong case for this understanding, and historically there appears to be near-universal affirmation among early Christians that the bread and wine are more than mere symbols—that Christ’s body and blood are genuinely present in some real sense. Have you or any of your colleagues in the teaching ministry studied this issue? This doctrine appears spiritually significant—particularly regarding our sanctification and perseverance—much like manna sustained Israel on their journey to the Promised Land. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I truly appreciate your thoughts! — C.M.
Good question. And sure, several teachers have studied this and come to the same conclusion. I myself have been teaching this for several years: the “real presence” position.
I resisted this view for many years, probably because my denomination follows the Zwinglian (not Lutheran) view. As I now understand the issue, Eucharist is symbolic, yet more than just a representation (though definitely not a “re-presentation,” or re-sacrificing of the body of Christ). This shift in thinking led me to rewrite Q&A 1094.
Thanks for reaching out.
