Really? Hmmm. So if I was to show you that the early Christians thought that the Eucharist was Christ Himself, whom they worshipped, you'd become a Catholic?
In my honest opinion, the Eucharist, as I understand its practice, is much more centered on the Church, than on God. I am not at all saying that I think it is an anti-Christian practice, or going anywhere near there. I'm just saying that I think the priorities are in the wrong place.
FK, "church" means the community of God's people. It also is the Body of Christ. There is mysterious meaning behind these words of Paul. A relationship with Christ IS intimate and personal! To a Jew, the life is found in the blood. Christ offers His life to us sacramentally in the Eucharist. You can't get much more intimate than that. Is there a better way that Christ can abide within us than the sacramental presence of Christ in the Eucharist? Considering the writings of the first Christians, it seems pretty clear that they, too, considered Christ to be present in the Eucharist, and that they shared an intimate union with Him as a result. Your idea of the Eucharist being centered on the Church is a stereotype knee-jerk reaction to priests, I think.
It has been my experience here that Roman Catholics find Paul to be their least favorite Apostle precisely because he is so clear in teaching Reformed theology.
LOL! Clearly? I will have to disagree on that one. Even Scriptures themselves tell us that Paul's writings can be difficult to understand. I wouldn't place all my bets on a contorted understanding of Paul alone, knowing that this can lead to destruction - according to the Word of God.
It seems extremely unlikely to me that Paul would preach a personal relationship with Christ, but then practice a sacrament that diminishes the intimacy.
The sacrament diminishes intimacy? LOL! How would making God visible diminish intimacy? Are you closer to your wife when you are thinking about her, or when you are in her visible presence???
Scriptures tell us that the disciples of Christ recognized the Risen Lord in the breaking of the bread. We know they celebrated it daily. Thus, they were in a visible and intimiate relationship with Christ daily.
Where do you live? I'll ask the nearest parish to come fetch you!
Regards
All I said was that I didn't know of any SCRIPTURE supporting Paul partaking. I have no doubt that you can show me Tradition that it was later practiced by some/many Christians.
Christ offers His life to us sacramentally in the Eucharist. You can't get much more intimate than that. Is there a better way that Christ can abide within us than the sacramental presence of Christ in the Eucharist?
Why would Christ want to keep offering His life over and over? Wasn't once enough? To me it just diminishes the accomplishment. BTW, is this the thought behind the crucifix, vs. the empty cross that we use?
I wouldn't place all my bets on a contorted understanding of Paul alone, knowing that this can lead to destruction - according to the Word of God.
I agree, and we don't. In addition, we view all scripture as equally inspired and true.
How would making God visible diminish intimacy? Are you closer to your wife when you are thinking about her, or when you are in her visible presence???
It is diminished because one must go THROUGH a man. The idea is that God cannot be made visible (true or not) UNLESS one submits himself to another man. If I had to go through another man to get to my wife, believe me, there would be no intimacy there. :) In my personal relationship with my wife I can go to her anytime I want, 24/7. THAT is the kind of personal relationship we teach that we are to have with God. No middlemen.