- "God and the Sacraments" con'd. (S. 143)
- "The Spirit and the Sacraments in the Lutheran Confessions" (S. 151)
- In Lutheran Confessions:
- Discussion of Spirit's role in sacraments set against background of Reformed teachings.
- Reformed:
- Give Spirit greater role than Jesus.
- Due to their teaching re: limitations on His human nature not participating fully in sacraments.
- Lutheran Confessions
- "Sacraments are the Spirit's good gifts to Christ's church." (id)
- S.A. III, VIII, 7,10 (Tappert, p. 313: Kolb & Wengert, pp. 322, 323)
- F.C., S.D., XI, 76 (Tappert, pp. 628, 629; Kolb & Wengert, p. 652)
- Word and the Spirit
- Are distinct
- Word gives distinctive character to each sacrament.
- Word is "vehicle of the Trinity by which the elements become sacraments." (S. 151)
- Spirit's role in baptism established by His participation in Jesus' baptism. [Mt. 3:16,17]
- 1Co 10:3,4.
- "same spiritual": auto pneumatikon.
- might seem to support Reformed's teaching re: "spiritual" not actual eating, etc.
- But, refers to real food and drink "provided by the Holy Spirit as gifts of grace." (id)
- 1Jn 5:7-8
- Understand as references to baptism and the Supper.
- Lutherans understand passage to mean "Spirit is a witness together with these two sacraments." (id)
- Jn 14:22-[26]
- Jesus will come with the Father.
- Promise to send the Spirit applies particularly to the sacraments. (S. 152)
- In sacraments, Spirit gives Himself.
- Spirit's presence in sacraments.
- Essential not incidental.
- There is no other way Spirit works and creates faith. (id).
- Word and Spirit are the only two efficient causes of conversion.
- F.C., Ep II, 19 (Tappert, p. 472; Kolb & Wengert, p. 494)
- S.A., III, VIII, 10 (again) (Tappert, p. 313; Kolb & Wengert, p. 323)
- S.A., III, [VIII], [3,4] 5-6, (Tappert, 312, 313; Kolb & Wengert, p. 322); Luther's real opponents not Rome, but Zwingli and Enthusiasts. (S. 152)
- Also disagreed with Rome's teaching that Spirit worked apart from the Word in conversion.
- S.A. III, VIII, 7 (Tappert, p. 313; Kolb & Wengert, 322)
- S.A. III, VIII, 11, 12 (Tappert, p. 313; Kolb & Wengert, p. 323)
- F.C. Ep II, 4,5 (Tappert, p. 470; Kolb & Wengert, p. 492)
- Zwingli and Calvin still wanted to keep sacraments while teaching they were dispensable.
- L.C. IV, 14-18 (Tappert, p. 438; Kolb & Wengert, p. 458)
- In sacraments, "the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the elements constitute a unity" (S. 153)
- "The Means of Grace as the Locus on the Holy Spirit" (S. 153)
- Holy Spirit in the Lutheran Confessions.
- No separate article is typical of Lutheran Theology.
- Apart from article on the Trinity, Spirit prominent in articles re:
- Law and Gospel
- the Sacraments.
- Earliest creed's 3rd Article re: works of Spirit without defining His person.
- Spirit's person first defined by Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381) handed down as Nicene Creed.
- Conversion
- Involves faith in Jesus Christ.
- Does not require knowledge of Spirit's person and work. (S. 153)
- First act of confession "is coming to understand who Jesus is as God's Son". (id)
- Then realize that this recognition is worked by Spirit.
- Believer's knowledge of Spirit within Trinity:
- Follows knowledge of Son and Father.
- Mt 28:19.
- 1Co 12:13.
- "The Historical Jesus and the Means of Grace" (S. 154)
- Jesus' presence in sacraments and His institution of them necessary for defining sacraments.
- Therefore, must presuppose His earthly existence.
- "Quest for the historical Jesus"
- Name given to scholars questioning the historical reliability of the gospels.
- Claims scholarly objectivity.
- But various methods used.
- Has led to varied or opposing conclusions.
- Place origin of "sacraments" not in Jesus, but rather early Christian communities.
- If question whether He really lived, died and rose, His institution, relationship to them, and sending Spirit are moot.
- Doubts about His institution of sacraments create serious doubts about rites performed in those church bodies allowing such doubt.
|
