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| Q: | I was watching a religious television program the other day and a question came up concerning the Real Presence in Holy Communion. If Lutherans believe that the Body and Blood of Jesus are really present in the Sacrament and they are really consumed, does that make them cannibals? No one on the program was able to give a response. | ||||||||
| A: | Thanks for asking. It is unfortunate that no one on that TV show was able to provide an adequate answer. It must be assumed that the participants were not very well qualified to discuss such matters, since this question has been discussed and clarified many times in the history of the church, especially since the time of the Reformation. Historically, "Capernaitic" eating is the term used for "cannibalistic" eating of flesh and blood. No church has ever taught that, neither the Roman Catholics nor the Lutherans who believe we receive the true body and blood of in a special way (in a "sacramental presence" or an "illocal presence"). The term Capernaitic is derived from the event described in John 6:43-59, when Jesus was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. At least some of the people present apparently misunderstood Jesus' words about spiritually feasting on him (by faith) as a physical, cannibalistic eating. Stated briefly, to receive the true body and blood of Christ orally in the Lord's Supper is not a cannibalistic eating and drinking because the true body and blood of our Savior are given and received in a special way, not what we would call a normal physical way. We cannot fully explain this distinct manner or mode of presence that our Lord uses here, nor are we asked to fully understand or explain it. Terms like "illocal presence" and "sacramental presence" are used to make it clear this is a different and special kind of presence and eating. | ||||||||
This is recent question #45 of 50
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