tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post9193231812634057428..comments2024-03-28T21:32:26.550+00:00Comments on Bruce Charlton's Notions: The imagined ideal church - as a way of evaluating churchesBruce Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-78554800388416611242012-06-08T18:35:17.001+01:002012-06-08T18:35:17.001+01:00Sure. I agree they are relevant & that a rite ...Sure. I agree they are relevant & that a rite performed in a particular way, though essentially valid, may be so irreverent or spiritually anemic it actually does harm in other ways.<br /><br />Holy Communion is a complex ceremony. It participates in a past event while making it present. The breaking of the bread accomplishes a specific act, while the pouring of wine and mixing with water accomplishes another. Adoring the consecrated and transubstantiated elements accomplishes another. Consumming, yet another. The Mass simultaneously makes present the once-for-all immolation on Calvary and effects a distinct act of oblation (offering) for present needs. Furthermore, the consumption of the offered elements effects a sacrificial meal wherein the participants commune with the Priest and Victim of Calvary and with one another. In addition to this, faith is strengthened, holiness increased, and calling renewed. <br /><br />Outward performances and inward dispositions all have a tendency to enhance or detract from the individual's subjective appropriation of the rite's multiple benefits.<br /><br />I seek the communion and particular observance of the rite (Holy Communion) that promises to maximize my personal appropriation of the objective benefits found in the ideal form of the rite. Where is this ideal located? In the ministry of our Lord, especially the original institution in the upper room, the sacrifice of Calvary, and the intercessory activity he presently undertakes for us. This is the pattern to which the Church's earthly service should conform and in which it participates.A. M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10561861834161207823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-8810201077135025402012-06-05T16:16:29.025+01:002012-06-05T16:16:29.025+01:00@A.M - I am (as usual!) suggesting a middle way. O...@A.M - I am (as usual!) suggesting a middle way. Of course aesthetic/ personal preference is not sufficient, BUT neither is it absolutely irrelevant.Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-50285996437368556362012-06-04T23:53:13.122+01:002012-06-04T23:53:13.122+01:00Dr. Charlton, I'm sure you're getting at s...Dr. Charlton, I'm sure you're getting at something deeper than aesthetic preference and reaction against disorder. Presumably, there ought to be some theory of liturgical practice that is guiding your preferences. What is the service of Holy Communion supposed to accomplish and how do we know?A. M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10561861834161207823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-47977667736589084832012-06-01T15:03:09.554+01:002012-06-01T15:03:09.554+01:00Did anyone else read that description and imagine ...Did anyone else read that description and imagine the congregation wearing grey "gender-neutral" bodysuits like in Star Trek?Catherinenoreply@blogger.com