I’m a big fan of Zondervan’s Counterpoints series. I enjoy reading different perspectives on any number of doctrines. I eagerly awaited the Counterpoints contribution to the Lord’s Supper, and I was not disappointed.

Understanding Four Views on the Lord’s Supper lays out the Baptist, Reformed, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic views of the Lord’s Supper. Russ Moore (our dean of the school of theology at Southern) starts off the book. It’s hard to believe that Moore is actually articulating a Baptist position! As a lifelong Baptist, I have yet to come across Baptist pastors who articulate such a rich, (indeed sacramental) understanding of the memorialist view (except perhaps for Charles Spurgeon). Moore’s contribution includes the most Scripture – another good thing for a Baptist. He also rightly shows how different atonement theories are visible in the Lord’s Supper proclamation.

John Hesselink brings the Reformed position into view, quoting Calvin and the Reformed confessions at length. David Scaer clearly articulates the Lutheran position, and Thomas Baima contributes the chapter on the Roman Catholic view.

Understanding Four Views on the Lord’s Supper is a terrific addition to the Counterpoints series. I find much to be commended in each of the four views, though I would probably land somewhere in between the Baptist and Reformed perspective. The authors’ responses to the other contributors also help the reader distinguish the differing doctrines. After reading this book, I came across with a clearer understanding of how all of our theology is affected by or at least made evident in our doctrine of the Lord’s Supper.

I must not fail to mention the helpful appendix. This section includes confessions of faith from many traditions as well as a compendium of quotes from important church figures, both Protestant and Roman Catholic. One’s view of the Lord’s Supper will be enriched simply by spending time with the giants of church history whose thoughts are included in this book.

written by Trevin Wax  © 2007 Kingdom People blog

Last night, I caught a little bit of Fox News’ O’Reilly Factor. In one segment, Bill O’Reilly showed the video footage of two homosexual men dressed up as nuns with clown wigs entering a Catholic church to receive Communion from the visiting archbishop. This event was clearly designed to be a desecration of the sacrament, as well as a slap in the face of all Christians.

O’Reilly opined for a while with former Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed about the failure of Christians to stand up and demand their rights. He mentioned how Muslims would have reacted had this been a mosque, and he urged Christians to fight back against those who would denigrate their religion.

O’Reilly is right to point out the unfairness of the media coverage regarding this issue. The only acceptable form of bigotry left in the United States is that which is directed to Christians. However, I take issue with O’Reilly’s insistence that Christians strike out against the desecrators. I wrote a letter to Bill, which I am publishing here. (I will check tonight to see if it is included in the mail comments at the end of the program.)

Bill,

As a Baptist minister, I deplore the mockery made of the sacrament at the Catholic mass in San Francisco. However, your concern and anxiety over the fact that few Christians were fighting back is perplexing.

Do you actually expect us Christians to react similarly to Muslims when our religion is desecrated? History shows that early Christianity spread throughout the world under persecution from the Roman Empire and the Caesars. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church…” claimed Tertullian in the third century. History shows that early Islam spread quite differently, by wielding the sword and forcing conversions.

Perhaps the reticence of Christians to respond angrily and violently to the mockery in San Francisco is not so much apathy, as it is the right response demanded by the Christian faith.

The Christ we worship was mocked, spit upon, and beaten, but he did not fight back. Instead, he uttered the words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

The truly Christian response to the mayhem in San Francisco is not angry words and fighting for our rights. It is taking up our crosses, offering forgiveness, and shedding tears for those who persecute the very One who died for our sins.

written by Trevin Wax  © 2007 Kingdom People blog