An
Introduction to the Sacraments
The first question on the
Confirmation exam was "What is a sacrament?" Claire
had missed that class and hadn’t bothered to get notes from
anyone in the class, so she responded with the first thing
that came to mind. "It’s a city in California."
In some ways it’s easier to
find a city in California than to give a comprehensive and
specific definition and explanation of a sacrament. Throughout
history rivers of ink have been spilled trying to nail down
the how, when and where of sacraments. Luther said one thing.
Zwingli said another. The Anabaptists said one thing. The
Roman Catholics said another. In our own day the argument has
been made that children shouldn’t receive Holy Communion
until they can understand what’s going on, while the
opposite argument has been that no one really
"understands" what happens in a sacrament. Others
have countered by saying that if we don’t want to commune
infants then we shouldn’t baptize them either.
Contemporary theologians,
especially Edward Schillebeeckx, have said that Christ is the
"primordial sacrament." The grace that is received
in the sacraments is the grace of Christ. In the two
sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist Jesus Christ is the
content of the sacrament as well as the minister of the
sacrament. In both sacraments it is the whole Christ who
encounters us. The sacraments are wonderful ways in which
Christ is present to us. This is not to deny that Christ is
present to us in other ways as well, but if we look at Christ’s
command and Christ’s promise it is obvious that two actions
are central.
Historically a sacrament was
viewed as "an outward and visible sign of an inward and
spiritual grace given to us, ordained by Christ himself, as a
means whereby we receive the same, and a pledge to assure us
thereof" (Anglican Catechism). Lutherans have
traditionally tried for greater clarity in their definition by
stating that a sacrament is an act that is commanded by
Christ, uses a material or earthly element, and through
connection with the Word is the bearer of God’s promise. And
Lutherans have quite clearly stated that using those criteria
Holy Baptism and Holy Communion qualify as sacraments, and
nothing else.
In recent years theologians and
liturgical scholars have been working toward a richer and
fuller understanding of sacraments. They have employed the
best available biblical scholarship as the basis for expanding
our understanding. The trend has been away from arguments
about validity and efficacy. The emphasis has been more on the
mystery and joy of Christ’s presence rather than dealing
with how, when and where. The starting point has been Christ
as the sacrament of God’s encounter with the world.
We live in an exciting time of
ferment and new possibilities, and during these days while we
search for greater clarity in our understanding, it is in the
doing of the sacraments that we receive what is offered –
forgiveness of sins, life and salvation – the presence of
Christ in all his fullness.
February 2003
Resources
Berry-Bailey, Barbara. "God
Comes to Us." The Lutheran. March, 2003.
Lathrop, Gordon. Holy
Things: A Liturgical Theology. Minneapolis: Fortress
Press, 1993. ISBN: 0800631315.
Luther, Martin. The Large
Catechism.
Macquarrie, John. A Guide
of the Sacraments. New York: Continuum, 1997.
Torvend, Samuel.
Holy Meal: Opening the Gifts of Holy Communion.
Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2004. Daily Bread, Holy
Meal invites Christians to reconsider the significance
of eating and drinking with Jesus of Nazareth in a world of
great need. Drawing on recent biblical and historical
studies, this exploration of the Eucharist asks the seeker
in every Christian to consider the ecological, theological,
communal, and ethical dimensions of the Lord's supper.
ISBN: 0806651067.
The
Use of the Means of Grace: A Statement on the Practice of
Word and Sacrament. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress,
1997. This statement was adopted for guidance and practice
by the Fifth Biennial Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America, August 19, 1997. This document
provides guidance on the proclamation of the Word and the
Christian assembly, on Holy Baptism, on Holy Communion, and
on the relationship between worship and Christian mission.
It is also available from Augsburg Fortress. [Spanish
translation: El
uso de los Medios de Gracia]
Copyright ©
2004 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
This document may
be reproduced for use in your congregation as long as the
copyright notice appears on each copy.
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