Snoopy Considers 1 Corinthians

[paradox3]

No, the NT offers only 1 interpretation--that real wine was used!

Admittedly, grape juice unfortunately needed to be used in most of the Communion services I've participated in.

I am fine with this for many reasons. During the pandemic, we had tiny bags holding a cracker and a grape. It was a nice variation.

But Communion was far more real for me in services that followed Jesus and Paul's example of using wine.

Fair comment. I have never experienced communion with bread and actual wine. I must say I prefer actual bread, preferably broken from a loaf. I am not wild about those wafers that taste like cardboard. Or the tiny squares of Wonder bread.

 

[Mendalla]

What I see here is a break between the idea that Communion is most important as a symbol vs. Communion as a actual, literal event. In the former case, a substitute can be used. In the latter, there is a need for the actual items (though where one gets bread like what Jesus actually had at the table in 21st century Canada is an open question).

For @Mystic, what about de-alcoholized wine? Does it need to be 9+ percent alcohol or is the <1% in dealcoholized acceptable? After all, the ancients watered down their wine from it's original syrupy form, which would have reduced the proportion of alcohol.

 

[paradox3]

Our denomination calls both communion and baptism "sacraments". Which means (as I understand it) they are more than symbols. They invoke God's presence in a unique way and there is efficacy in the rituals. In other words, they actually achieve something out of the ordinary.

 

[GordW]

Our denomination calls both communion and baptism "sacraments". Which means (as I understand it) they are more than symbols. They invoke God's presence in a unique way and there is efficacy in the rituals. In other words, they actually achieve something out of the ordinary.

THe two sacraments are a classic Protestant position. Roman Catholics finalized the list of sacraments at 7 at the Council of Trent as part of the Catholic (or Counter) Reformation in the 1500's.

One classic definition of sacrament is "a visible sign of an in visible grace". There are, of course, multiple understandings of what a sacrament is and/or does. HOw we understand sacramentality will likely impact how we think the rite should/could/must be enacted or who can take part.

Personally I think there are rites officially called Sacraments and there are moments that are sacramental (that may or may not be linked to official Sacraments)

 

[paradox3]

@GordW
I have also heard "an outward sign of an inward grace."

Yes, there are those moments. Some people call them mountain top or peak experiences. Others say they realize they are standing on holy ground. I tend to think of the Holy Spirit working within me or among me and others.

I have never thought of the language of sacrament. But yeah. Good point.

 

[Mystic]

My point is sijmple: the more true to Jesus' practice, the better.
I don't believe the Catholic doctrine of Transfiguration. Bht J prefer it to the common Protestant interpretation that Commumion is merely symbolic.
So many Catholics treasure the intimate mystical experience of connection with Christ mediated by the Eucharist and even report healing miracles mediated through Holy Communion.

 

[paradox3]

Are there any other practices of Jesus we think we should emulate?

There's prayer, of course. We still use the prayer he taught. What about taking time away from everyday pressures? He did that, too.

He dined with others. Is that important? And we know he liked to tell enigmatic stories (the parables).

 

[Jaebius]

Our denomination calls both communion and baptism "sacraments". Which means (as I understand it) they are more than symbols. They invoke God's presence in a unique way and there is efficacy in the rituals. In other words, they actually achieve something out of the ordinary.

My denomination does that too. It means that God is active in them. They, along with his Word at least in our view, are his chosen means of grace. He uses them to give and to strengthen faith.

About half a decade ago, I was a Baptist, seeing Communion and Baptism rather as ordinances - things that we do to please God. We baptize. We do Communion. While God... sits around being pleased?

I prefer my current denomination's view

 

[unsafe]

Seven Spiritual Practices of Jesus

Following the Lord’s example in our daily habits

influencemagazine.com

Jesus modeled these disciplines perfectly, providing a template for us to follow in our daily lives. Here are seven spiritual practices of Jesus that we should seek to emulate:

1. Prayer​

At least 25 times in the Gospels, we read of Jesus praying. According to Luke 5:16, Jesus prayed often by himself. In other words, He made a habit of it.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught His followers about prayer — specifically, private prayer (Matthew 6:6). If such prayer times were important to Jesus, they should be a vital component of every believer’s life.

2. Fasting​

At the onset of His public ministry, Jesus took 40 days to fast in the wilderness. While it made His body weak, His spirit grew stronger.

Luke 4:14 says that after His trial in the wilderness, Jesus returned to Galilee “in the power of the Spirit.” Following the fasting pattern of Jesus will increase the vitality of His disciples.

3. Public Worship​

Luke 4:16 says that “on the Sabbath day [Jesus] went into the synagogue, as was his custom.”

Finding a place of solitude and silence can be repairing to your soul, especially amid the hectic demands of ministry.​

It’s interesting that Luke makes a similar observation regarding Paul in Acts 17:2: “As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue.”

Public worship is a time to grow spiritually with others of like faith. Jesus knew this, and all Christians should follow His lead.

4. Bible Reading​

Studying Scripture was an important part of Jesus’ life. In fact, by age 12, He was already as biblically literate as the leading teachers (Luke 2:41-47).

Reading the Bible early and often is foundational to the life of a believer. This was not something Jesus skipped. He relished it and excelled at it.

5. Solitude and Silence​

Jesus regularly ministered in front of large crowds. But He also made a habit of getting away from time to time (Luke 5:16). In fact, He even encouraged His disciples to get away to a quiet place and rest (Mark 6:31).

Finding a place of solitude and silence can be repairing to your soul, especially amid the hectic demands of ministry. Jesus knew this and practiced it.

6. Service​

In Mark 10:45, Jesus said His goal in coming to earth was not to be served but to serve others and to give His life for our benefit.

It’s easy to overlook service as a spiritual practice. However, serving with a heart of love for God and others is certainly a way to be more like Jesus. The next time you serve, whether at church or in the community, think about how it relates to your spiritual growth.

7. Meditation​

While other religions teach meditation as a way to clear the mind, Christian meditation is about focusing on God and His Word. This is apparent throughout the Old Testament (see Psalm 119:97, for example).

While there is no explicit text that shows Jesus meditating, it is likely one of the things He did when He went away alone. His teaching in Matthew 15:19-20 highlights the spiritual importance of maintaining a God-centered thought life, something Paul also talks about in Philippians 4:8.

 

[paradox3]

Excellent article @unsafe. Thanks.

 

[paradox3]

We could use this as a checklist for ourselves.

1. Prayer. Yes I pray. Trying to make it a daily habit.
2. Fasting: Big nope!!! Counter indicated for a diabetic but I doubt I would do it anyways.
3. Public worship. Yes.
4. Bible reading. I do this. Usually daily but I take breaks sometimes
5. Solitude and silence. Yes.
6. Service. Does hosting Snoopy's bible study count? What about attending study groups at church?
7. Meditation. Yes

 

[Jaebius]

We could use this as a checklist for ourselves.

1. Prayer. Yes I pray. Trying to make it a daily habit.
2. Fasting: Big nope!!! Counter indicated for a diabetic but I doubt I would do it anyways.
3. Public worship. Yes.
4. Bible reading. I do this. Usually daily but I take breaks sometimes
5. Solitude and silence. Yes.
6. Service. Does hosting Snoopy's bible study count? What about attending study groups at church?
7. Meditation. Yes

1. Prayer. Yes, often
2. Fasting: Have tried fasting for spiritual reasons a few times, but mostly I just fast for medical reasons
3. Public worship. At least twice a week
4. Bible reading. Yes, usually in preparation to preach
5. Solitude and silence. Yes for solitude
6. Service. Yes, I'm a pastor of an English language ministry
7. Meditation: No

 

[unsafe]

6. Service. Does hosting Snoopy's bible study count? What about attending study groups at church?

I would say So --it is a type of Ministry --and you do a very good Service in that regard in my view ----

AI
Spiritual service is the act of serving God and others through worship, ministry, and daily living.

 

[unsafe]

1. Prayer. --Yes every day
2. Fasting:--no
3. Public worship.-- yes
4. Bible reading.----yes --every day --reading and researching scripture ---my passion
5. Solitude and silence. --yes --
6. Service. Yes --teaching God's word to my great grandchildren and helping an elderly neighbour
7. Meditation: yes --

 

[BetteTheRed]

Do you do the other Catholic things? Dip your fingers in the holy water and make the sign of the cross as you enter the sanctuary? Genuflect (I think it's to Mary) as you enter the pew? Do you kneel throughout the service when they do?

I am curious Bette, not trying to be argumentative.

Yes, because I grew up knowing how to follow a Catholic service. My grandmother or my uncle with or without a cousin, were here regularly, like pretty well yearly between them all, usually for a month, and then needed to be ferried to Mass on a Sunday, and I had to go with, or drive, as age dictated. They never made a big deal of me taking the eucharist with them, and no-one ever seemed to care, so I just always continued; in all fairness, when I first took communion in the RCC I was a good little Lutheran, and honestly didn't know I was doing something wrong. I learned later that I was not welcome at that table, so took my usual contrarian position.

 

[paradox3]

My point is sijmple: the more true to Jesus' practice, the better.

When Jesus broke the bread at the Last Supper, he may have had no intention of establishing an ongoing practice. He was sharing a meal with his disciples & preparing to die. Perhaps he was simply being vulnerable and asking them not to forget him.

I don't believe the Catholic doctrine of Transfiguration. Bht J prefer it to the common Protestant interpretation that Commumion is merely symbolic.

If it is a sacrament as it is in the Reform tradition it is more than symbolic. I am not sure about the denominations that call it an ordinance as @Jaebius mentioned.

So many Catholics treasure the intimate mystical experience of connection with Christ mediated by the Eucharist and even report healing miracles mediated through Holy Communion.

These days I feel less mystical connection at the Table than I once did. I am not sure why. Will think about it.

 

[paradox3]

A little more about prayer before we move on in 1 Corinthians.

In our denomination, public prayer is seldom extemporaneous. Even in small study groups, the prayers are usually written in advance. The prose is somewhat formal and most of the time, beautifully written.

At a former congregation, I was a member of a team which prepared and offered the Prayers of the People. I certainly took my time writing the prayer when it was my turn in the rotation. But I spent much less time preparing than some people did.

Some members of the team wrote prayers so lovely they could have been published. Often these prayers were much longer than the guideline we were given (500 words). And folks told me they spent hours and hours writing them.

I just didn't see this as necessary.

Often when I pray privately, I go to more stilted and formal language than I use in conversation. These days I am trying to get a little more conversational with God. Making the prayer more like a chat with a friend.

 

[Jaebius]

A little more about prayer before we move on in 1 Corinthians.

In our denomination, public prayer is seldom extemporaneous. Even in small study groups, the prayers are usually written in advance. The prose is somewhat formal and most of the time, beautifully written.

At a former congregation, I was a member of a team which prepared and offered the Prayers of the People. I certainly took my time writing the prayer when it was my turn in the rotation. But I spent much less time preparing than some people did.

Some members of the team wrote prayers so lovely they could have been published. Often these prayers were much longer than the guideline we were given (500 words). And folks told me they spent hours and hours writing them.

I just didn't see this as necessary.

Often when I pray privately, I go to more stilted and formal language than I use in conversation. These days I am trying to get a little more conversational with God. Making the prayer more like a chat with a friend.

Many people in my small congregation have no problem at all praying out loud in Korean (we take turns) but have difficulty praying out loud in English. There's a language difference to be sure, but also a shyness

 

[paradox3]

Next up in 1 Corinthians we have Paul's teaching about spiritual gifts. Some of the verses in this chapter are quite well known. A few years ago, many churches were doing inventories of spiritual gifts. The spiritual gift inventory definitely had a moment.

It will be interesting to consider in light of this discussion about spiritual practices.

Anyone have anything more to say about spiritual practices? I will put up the new text tomorrow. Stay tuned and thanks for following this thread.

 

[unsafe]

My prayer life haschanged dramatically over the years ---- I know I can talk to God about my Problems anytime and he will listen and comfort me -----When I would pray for others in their situation I use to ask God to please help the people ----as I studies and researched scripture I realized that asking God to help was actually not what I should be saying --as God already knew before I prayed what I would be praying --and His answer was already done ===I also realized that I had to make sure that I examined myself before praying ----if I wanted my prayer answered ----I found there is a lot to know if you want answered prayer --and I found a big difference in my prayer life knowing all I know now -----