tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859942738506247433.post3874514018494869950..comments2023-06-13T10:36:03.712-05:00Comments on Bilgrimage: The Two Tables Again: Communion and communionWilliam D. Lindseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07246026074693891965noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859942738506247433.post-4891041438628132022008-06-05T10:27:00.000-05:002008-06-05T10:27:00.000-05:00Colleen, this is really valuable analysis, it seem...Colleen, this is really valuable analysis, it seems to me. The question you're raising is how we got from the symbol of a shared meal to a sacrificial ritual based on atonement theology. <BR/><BR/>I think you're right, a lot has to do with whether we see Jesus as a sacramental sign of God's loving presence everywhere in the world, or as a scapegoat on whom all the sins of the world are placed.<BR/><BR/>In turn, depending on which of those images dominates our theology, we'll see the world either as full of divine presence, or as a dark, lost place where we have to find a sacrifice to take away our sins.<BR/><BR/>And dependent on that ecclesiology is the question of how we approach others everywhere in the world: as fellow pilgrims on the way to God with us, in whose lives God is present; or as those who are lost sinners because they don't know about or accept Christ.<BR/><BR/>It's probably no secret where my own theology tends!William D. Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246026074693891965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859942738506247433.post-27536182745708601252008-06-04T11:26:00.000-05:002008-06-04T11:26:00.000-05:00Bill I'm beginning to think that the real twist Ch...Bill I'm beginning to think that the real twist Christianity took away from a positive theological understanding of the Eucharistic meal came when a poor understanding of atonement theology--specifically that theology known as 'penal substitution' became the pervasive understanding of the Eucharistic celebration.<BR/><BR/>Christ did not under go His passion and ressurection to save us dirty unworthy sinners from the punishment of his Vengeful Father. He died to appease our need for vengeance, our need for scapegoats, our need to have priestly sacrifice in place of hard spiritual work. In my mind His sacrifice had nothing to do with His Father and everything to do with our lousy attitudes about each other stemming from our inherent fear of death.<BR/> To participate in His Eucharistic meal is to understand accepting His bread is an invitation to the hard work involved in changing our understanding of His Father, of ourselves, and of our fellow man.<BR/> Only if you think Jesus died for your sins in some literal sense do you engage in scapegoating others. You don't have to change your lousy attitudes, Jesus already took care of that. Just come back next Sunday for some more taking care of.<BR/> Penal substitution theology is the greatest cop out Christianity could ever have invented to prevent a real understanding of what Jesus actually did and who He was. Not to mention it allows people to still scapegoat others for their own flaws instead of dealing with just how tough it is to practice the love He taught.<BR/> No wonder most of our clergy can't heal their own bunions.colkochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03432916690101599393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859942738506247433.post-19825144709083032342008-06-04T09:57:00.000-05:002008-06-04T09:57:00.000-05:00Michael, I appreciate your comment and welcome com...Michael, I appreciate your comment and welcome comments on my blog. Please note, though, that the blog exists to pursue discussion of theological and social issues and not to market products other than those comprised in the Google ads.William D. Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246026074693891965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5859942738506247433.post-81741237764350879812008-06-04T06:19:00.000-05:002008-06-04T06:19:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754737652581878189noreply@blogger.com