So forgiveness pre-requires understanding the mistakes of the past? here hear re this opposing this me-first, America-first, white-first, male-first approach>…
Weekly lessons in theology and public life • Since 2011
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Lesson 1: Sacraments as a Means of Grace
Read MORE: Lesson 1: Sacraments as a Means of GraceTalking to Derek last week, I was reminded that I wanted to push myself to look at the commandments and sacraments from a modern perspective. All of us are conditioned to use old concepts when speaking of ancient traditions. They…
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Lesson 2: Sacrament as God’s Bodily Presence
Read MORE: Lesson 2: Sacrament as God’s Bodily PresenceThe sacraments remind us that Christians claim that God is more than spirit. Although most of us can remember having defined God as a spirit at various times, the Church has insisted God is a person. And we all know…
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Lesson 3: The Meaning of Baptism
Read MORE: Lesson 3: The Meaning of BaptismEarly Christians felt baptism was so important they built their houses of worship near running water whenever possible. Those who have visited ancient churches in their travels have seen many were constructed right over springs so that baptisms could be…
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Lesson 4: Baptism as Community
Read MORE: Lesson 4: Baptism as CommunityBaptism marks the entrance into a new community that follows Jesus. One of its primary features is welcoming believers to the Lord’s table. The modern church makes a huge mistake when it fails to make this the boundary for who…
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Lesson 5: Baptism as Ritual
Read MORE: Lesson 5: Baptism as RitualBack in seminary, quite some time ago, I read an account of an early baptism. My recollection is that it might have been the earliest detailed rite that has come down to us. The candidates had been extensively prepared. Although…
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Lesson 6: Eucharist as Eating Together
Read MORE: Lesson 6: Eucharist as Eating TogetherThe sacraments taken together express the fullness of the Christian life. Baptism welcomes us into the community that shares meals with each other and God. Although this might appear to be nothing extraordinary to an outside observer, the Church proclaims…
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Lesson 7: Eucharist as Remembering
Read MORE: Lesson 7: Eucharist as RememberingIn our technological society, we forget how important remembering the past is for keeping our balance in life. Faith, hope, and love have always been used to summarize how Christians make decisions. Faith primarily is trust in the story that…
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Lesson 8: Eucharist as Thanksgiving
Read MORE: Lesson 8: Eucharist as ThanksgivingThe official title of the communion meal is the Eucharist, a Greek word meaning thanksgiving. By examining how this title applies we can learn a lot about the sacrament. First, thanksgiving is given a prominent place in the official account…
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Lesson 9: Eucharist as Ritual
Read MORE: Lesson 9: Eucharist as RitualThe most important challenge for a Eucharist liturgy is to express a community meal rather than an institutional ritual. The Church has not always done a very good job with this one. Too often, the service is regarded as fulfilling…
Recent Comments
An extremely timely topic. Thanks, Fritz!
yes we need to forgive our leaders yet make sure they do the right thing – which they aren’t.