Robbie F

Robbie F edited the glossary entries of Lords Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz Saturday, October 3, 2009.

• Added a term: receptionism: A belief that the real presence of Christ's body in the sacramental bread begins when a believing Christian eats it. This, according to Teigen, Chemnitz, and the Formula of Concord, implies that the individual's faith effects the sacramental union.
• marked the description of receptionism as not a spoiler
• Added a term: consecrationism: A belief that Jesus' words "This is my body" immediately cause his body to be present in the sacramental bread. A term used by Teigen's critics as a label for the school of thought represented by this book, it was condemned by some as a legalistic definition of the moment the sacrament begins. For Teigen, it implies that God's Word is the cause of the sacramental presence, an emphasis that runs strongly through Luther's theology.
• marked the description of consecrationism as not a spoiler

Robbie F edited the ridiculously simplified synopses of Lords Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz Saturday, October 3, 2009.

• Edited: A study of the implications of Martin Luther's belief about Jesus' words "This is my body"words

Robbie F edited the description of Lords Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz Saturday, October 3, 2009.

• Arguably the most important study of Lutheran sacramental theology in the late 20th century!

Robbie F edited the summary of Lords Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz Saturday, October 3, 2009.

• Do today's Lutherans believe what Martin Luther, Martin Chemnitz, and the Formula of Concord taught about the Lord's Supper? In a compelling study, Norwegian-American theologian B. W. Teigen argues that today's Lutheran church is influenced more by the thought of the 17th century dogmaticians, who took their cue from Philip Melanchthon. The latter, Teigen shows, gave ground to the Calvinist-Reformed school of thought, which spiritualizes the presence of Jesus' body in the Lord's Supper. A symptom of this is a superstitiousfear of naming a "precise moment" in the celebration of the sacrament when the Real Presence begins. Teigen proposes, as a solution,proposes returning to the thinking of Chemnitz and the Formula, which better represent Luther's thought, to wit: the words "This is my body" containhave the power to do what they say. When Christ speaks these words, His body is present. Implications for Lutheran practice include (in Teigen's view)consuming all bread and wine on the altar, in order to prevent impious questions about the extent of the sacramental presence from arising. This important, well-written, scholarly book touched off a storm of controversy in Teigen's church body, pitting a so-called "consecrationalist" party (who defined Jesus' words as the consecration of the Supper) against a "receptionist" ditto (who followed Melanchthon's thought in teaching that the presence of Christ's body depends,body. It continues to some extent, on the faith of those who receive the sacrament). If Teigen's advice were heeded, such a controversy would not be necessary.provoke thinking and re-thinking among conscientious Lutherans.

Robbie F edited the summary of Lords Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz Saturday, October 3, 2009.

• Do today's Lutherans believe what Martin Luther, Martin Chemnitz, and the Formula of Concord taught about the Lord's Supper? In a compelling study, Norwegian-American theologian B. W. Teigen argues that today's Lutheran church is influenced more by the thought of the 17th century dogmaticians, who took their cue from Philip Melanchthon. The latter, Teigen shows, gave ground to the Calvinist-Reformed school of thought, which spiritualizes the presence of Jesus' body in the Lord's Supper. A symptom of this is a superstitious fear of naming a "precise moment" in the celebration of the sacrament when the Real Presence begins. Teigen proposes, as a solution, returning to the thinking of Chemnitz and the Formula, which better represent Luther's thought, to wit: the words "This is my body" contain the power to do what they say. When Christ speaks these words, His body is present. Implications for Lutheran practice include (in Teigen's view) consuming all bread and wine on the altar, in order to prevent impious questions about the extent of the sacramental presence from arising. This important, well-written, scholarly book touched off a storm of controversy in Teigen's church body, pitting a so-called "consecrationalist" party (who defined Jesus' words as the consecration of the Supper) against a "receptionist" ditto (who followed Melanchthon's thought in teaching that the presence of Christ's body depends, to some extent, on the faith of those who receive the sacrament). If Teigen's advice were heeded, such a controversy would not be necessary.

Robbie F edited the characters of Lords Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz Saturday, October 3, 2009.

• Edited the description of B. W. Teigen: Makes the case that classical Lutheran dogmatics follow the thinking of Melanchthon on the Lord's Supper, rather than Chemnitz, whose position bestbetter accords with that of Luther and the Formula of Concord, claimed as normative by the Lutheran church.Concord. He reasons that a return to the teaching of Luther, Chemnitz, and the Formula will better serve the faith of Lutherans.

Robbie F edited the characters of Lords Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz Saturday, October 3, 2009.

• reordered the characters.
• Added a character: Martin Chemnitz: Important Lutheran theologian and co-author of the "Formula of Concord," he staunchly defended Luther's doctrine of the Lord's Supper
• marked the description of Martin Chemnitz as not a spoiler
• Edited the description of Philip Melanchthon: Author of the "Augsburg Confession" and its "Apology""Apology," in his later work he gave ground to the Calvinists on the teaching of the Lord's Supper
• Added a character: Martin Luther: He considered Jesus' words "This is my body" to be the key to the Lord's Supper
• marked the description of Martin Luther as not a spoiler
• Added a character: John Calvin: Spiritual father of most Protestants, he claimed that the Lord's Supper involves Jesus' body only in a spiritual way
• marked the description of John Calvin as not a spoiler
• Added a character: Ulrich Zwingli: Another early Reformed theologian, he and his followers argued that since Christ's body is seated at the right hand of God, we cannot say it is really present in the Lord's Supper without denying Christ's human nature
• marked the description of Ulrich Zwingli as not a spoiler
• Added a character: B. W. Teigen: Makes the case that classical Lutheran dogmatics follow the thinking of Melanchthon on the Lord's Supper, rather than Chemnitz, whose position best accords with that of Luther and the Formula of Concord, claimed as normative by the Lutheran church. He reasons that a return to the teaching of Luther, Chemnitz, and the Formula will better serve the faith of Lutherans.
• marked the description of B. W. Teigen as not a spoiler

Robbie F edited the characters of Lords Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz Saturday, October 3, 2009.

• reordered the characters.
• Edited a character: Martin ChemnitzPhilip Melanchthon: Important Lutheran theologianAuthor of the "Augsburg Confession" and co-author of "Formula of Concord"its "Apology"

Robbie F edited the characters of Lords Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz Saturday, October 3, 2009.

• Changed the section title: Cast of Characters/Important People
• Added a character: Martin Chemnitz: Important Lutheran theologian and co-author of "Formula of Concord"
• marked the description of Martin Chemnitz as not a spoiler

Robbie F edited the ridiculously simplified synopses of Lords Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz Saturday, October 3, 2009.

• Edited: An extremely persuasiveA study of the implications of Martin Luther's belief about Jesus' wordswords "This is my body"