Comments on: Swine Flu and the Common Cup http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2009/10/21/swine-flu-and-the-common-cup/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:48:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Christian Pandemic Response « Cogito, Credo, Petam http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2009/10/21/swine-flu-and-the-common-cup/#comment-911 Christian Pandemic Response « Cogito, Credo, Petam Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:28:56 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=725#comment-911 [...] naïve, unwarranted, ridiculous. Our qualms about a common cup for those who aren’t sick seems petty in [...] [...] naïve, unwarranted, ridiculous. Our qualms about a common cup for those who aren’t sick seems petty in [...]

]]> By: rick http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2009/10/21/swine-flu-and-the-common-cup/#comment-466 rick Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:30:47 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=725#comment-466 Your comment about viruses being unstoppalbe isn't right - hand sanitizer gels will kill both bacteria on the surface of the skin, and viruses on the surface of the skin - but only if the gel has the right active ingredients. At least 60% ethanol or similar. And do not drink it! Your comment about viruses being unstoppalbe isn't right - hand sanitizer gels will kill both bacteria on the surface of the skin, and viruses on the surface of the skin - but only if the gel has the right active ingredients. At least 60% ethanol or similar. And do not drink it!

]]> By: A Doctor http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2009/10/21/swine-flu-and-the-common-cup/#comment-353 A Doctor Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:56:05 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=725#comment-353 Interesting that we can think because we are Christians or observing the communion cup we think (pray) we are not susceptable to a host of commom diseases. Do not think for a second that drinking from a common cup does not infect yourself and others. In fact it is clearly documented that there is a host of very virulant diseases passed on from drinking from the same cup of others. Absolutely, a common drinking cup will pass on diseases such as Cold Sores, Hep.B Hepc HepA.(not to mention Influenza, H!N!) Even in the SPCA they will not let animals drink from the same bowl. Surely we would not infect the communion cup, even if we were just trying to protect others from the diseases we have! Just because the church gives it out doesn't mean NO DISEASE (recall the blankets, and influenza and TB given out to natives during the 1800's). Full of Faith, Full of common sense W. Interesting that we can think because we are Christians or observing the communion cup we think (pray) we are not susceptable to a host of commom diseases. Do not think for a second that drinking from a common cup does not infect yourself and others. In fact it is clearly documented that there is a host of very virulant diseases passed on from drinking from the same cup of others. Absolutely, a common drinking cup will pass on diseases such as Cold Sores, Hep.B Hepc HepA.(not to mention Influenza, H!N!) Even in the SPCA they will not let animals drink from the same bowl. Surely we would not infect the communion cup, even if we were just trying to protect others from the diseases we have!
Just because the church gives it out doesn't mean NO DISEASE (recall the blankets, and influenza and TB given out to natives during the 1800's).

Full of Faith, Full of common sense

W.

]]> By: Dave http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2009/10/21/swine-flu-and-the-common-cup/#comment-352 Dave Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:40:42 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=725#comment-352 I agree with Mike's post on this. The awesome and wonderful truth is that Jesus' body was broken for us, and his blood was 'poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins'. Let's focus on what that means, and what our response must be. In Luke 22:17, we read: 'After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you...' (NIV) Scripture does not legislate on the practicalities of the precise way we are to divide it amongst us. So we should not either. Scripture does rebuke the Corinthian church for their practice, but that had nothing to do with how many cups were or were not used. Their error was that their heart attitude to their brothers and sisters in Christ was wrong. It is necessary for us to divide over the Gospel itself, but let's not divide, or encourage division, over issues Scripture doesn't rule on. We can't help but have our own traditions - but let's not elevate our own traditions, whatever they may be, into the Word of God. I agree with Mike's post on this.

The awesome and wonderful truth is that Jesus' body was broken for us, and his blood was 'poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins'. Let's focus on what that means, and what our response must be.

In Luke 22:17, we read: 'After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you...' (NIV)

Scripture does not legislate on the practicalities of the precise way we are to divide it amongst us. So we should not either.

Scripture does rebuke the Corinthian church for their practice, but that had nothing to do with how many cups were or were not used. Their error was that their heart attitude to their brothers and sisters in Christ was wrong.

It is necessary for us to divide over the Gospel itself, but let's not divide, or encourage division, over issues Scripture doesn't rule on.

We can't help but have our own traditions - but let's not elevate our own traditions, whatever they may be, into the Word of God.

]]> By: Chris http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2009/10/21/swine-flu-and-the-common-cup/#comment-350 Chris Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:35:49 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=725#comment-350 The hand-sanitizer seems like a placebo to me, as germs are not viruses. That stuff might kill bacteria, but if it was really effective against colds and the flu we would all be drinking it. In fact, we could all just have a gin and go on our merry. Viruses can't really be stopped (except by quarantine and death) and that is why we need to just rest in the Sovereignty of our God. The hand-sanitizer seems like a placebo to me, as germs are not viruses. That stuff might kill bacteria, but if it was really effective against colds and the flu we would all be drinking it. In fact, we could all just have a gin and go on our merry.

Viruses can't really be stopped (except by quarantine and death) and that is why we need to just rest in the Sovereignty of our God.

]]> By: mike http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2009/10/21/swine-flu-and-the-common-cup/#comment-344 mike Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:34:31 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=725#comment-344 Come on... does it really matter how many cups are used? The Scriptures place no emphasis at all on this issue. You might, but God doesn't. Yes, Jesus took the cup (one) and told his disciples to divide it amongst themselves. However, historically people had their own cup at the Passover meal. So it isn't crazy to think they each put some in their own cup after He passed "the" cup around. The emphasis in Scripture is on the meaning of the cup and in making sure everyone gets some, ie. not running out of wine (1 Cor. 11). The emphasis is not on how many cups are used. At my church, we all get a glass of wine to remember our Lord by. Biblically, we feel fine with that. If you want to use one cup, that is fine... lets just focus on what matters, shall we? Come on... does it really matter how many cups are used? The Scriptures place no emphasis at all on this issue. You might, but God doesn't.

Yes, Jesus took the cup (one) and told his disciples to divide it amongst themselves. However, historically people had their own cup at the Passover meal. So it isn't crazy to think they each put some in their own cup after He passed "the" cup around.

The emphasis in Scripture is on the meaning of the cup and in making sure everyone gets some, ie. not running out of wine (1 Cor. 11). The emphasis is not on how many cups are used. At my church, we all get a glass of wine to remember our Lord by. Biblically, we feel fine with that. If you want to use one cup, that is fine... lets just focus on what matters, shall we?

]]> By: Stephen http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2009/10/21/swine-flu-and-the-common-cup/#comment-341 Stephen Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:57:20 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=725#comment-341 I couldn't agree more. Our practice of the Lord's Supper (even in more "high church" congregations like my own) tends to be a reflection of our individualistic, health-obsessed society instead of a reflection of the body of Christ we read about in the New Testament. I couldn't agree more. Our practice of the Lord's Supper (even in more "high church" congregations like my own) tends to be a reflection of our individualistic, health-obsessed society instead of a reflection of the body of Christ we read about in the New Testament.

]]> By: Sean Rushforth http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2009/10/21/swine-flu-and-the-common-cup/#comment-340 Sean Rushforth Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:44:50 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/?p=725#comment-340 The first swine flu vaccinations have today started in the UK. Seriously ill hospital patients are among the first to receive the jab. 11 million vaccinations will be rolled out from Monday the 26th of October. <a href="http://www.swineflubritain.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Swine Flu in the UK</a> The first swine flu vaccinations have today started in the UK. Seriously ill hospital patients are among the first to receive the jab. 11 million vaccinations will be rolled out from Monday the 26th of October. Swine Flu in the UK

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