Calvin & Hops: August 2017

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Do This In Remembrance of Me: Grape Juice, Wine, and Leaven in Today's Sacraments

While the Protestant Reformation cleared away the superstition surrounding the sacraments, it nevertheless recognized the place given by Scripture to baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which, alongside the Word, deliver the gospel to sinners.

- Michael Horton

Thursday, 24 August 2017 from 1800-2000(ish)

The Noble Savage (21 and over)

Jesus instituted the Eucharist in the upper room during Passover, as recorded in the Bible in three separate locations: 1 Cor 11:23-26; Mark 14:22-24; Matthew 26:26-30; and Luke 22:14-23. While there can be much to discuss regarding it (credo vs. padeo or transubstantiation vs consubstantiation/sacramental union, etc.), the question that we are digging into this month are the elements themselves.

Questions:

Is it sin to take either wine or grape juice as communion?
Is it sin to take either leaven vs unleavened bread as communion?
Is using an element not prescribed by Christ mean that He is not present and His promise is void?
What of those with struggle with allergies or alcoholism?
What of those where bread or wine is not common?
Is intiction (dipping the bread into the cup) wrong/a sin because it presupposes transubstantiation?
Are we wrong in not taking it on the second floor of a room, likely seated on the floor?

Leaven vs Unleaven:

Does Scripture Demand Unleavened Bread? (The Gospel Coalition: John Hammett)
An Old Debate Revisited (Biblical Horizons: Peter Leithart)

Wine vs Grape juice:

Wine or Grape Juice: Theological and Pastoral Reflections on the Fruit of the Vine in Communion (OPC: John Mahaffey)
SHORT Calvin's Doctrine of the Lord's Supper (Ligonier Ministries: Keith Mathison)
LONG John Calvin on the Sacraments: A Summary (Theology Matters: Viola Larson)
Grapejuice for Communion? (Canonwired.com: Douglas Wilson)

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Why we're here

The Philosophy Behind C&H,

One of my all-time favorite quotations comes from John Wayne. “Life is tough…it’s tougher if you’re stupid.” Though not necessarily related to stupidity, there exists a common failure on the part of Christian men to humbly sharpen their reasoning skills and learn from one another. We, like much of the heathen world around us, fall into the trap of failing to ever challenge one another’s thinking either because of personal cowardice or for unreasonable fear of causing offense. While I do not advocate offense for its own sake, I do advocate the sharpening of one another in the bond of true Christian love, toward the end of excellence in spiritual warfare with the forces of darkness around us. Let us help each other “take every thought captive to Christ!”

Calvin and Hops is a monthly (generally) meeting of men from a variety of Christian churches in the Bossier City/Shreveport area in an informal setting to discuss a topic of general interest. Our primary objective is to grow in knowledge and wisdom and the ability to reason, for the sake of the gospel. Christ is Lord of all, and we need to be able to communicate that to others. This is true whether we are discussing Biblical canon or homosexual "marriage". But, I ask you, which is the more likely subject in your workplace? Which is the more likely "hook"with the unbelievers around you that you can use to lead them to the fear and wisdom of the Holy One?

I will establish the topic of the evening as indicated on this blog. However, the topic of the evening may be trumped by another “hot” topic if it seems appropriate. Please use information posted on this blog to prepare for meaningful discussion. Also, I’m always soliciting for topics of interest; just contact me using the blog contact form, email, text, phone call, carrier pigeon, or just telling me at church/work/other.

Please mark your calendars and feel free to pass this on to other men you think will be interested. If they want to be on the mailing list, they’ll need to send me an email address and a name.

In Him,

RTR

P.S. This is a men-only meeting, as we need to be free to discuss things as men, the way men do. However, for those of you with young sons, I highly encourage you to consider bringing them, as long as you deem it appropriate given their age and maturity level; we would also change the venue if this is an issue. I think that our sons can learn much from the accumulated wisdom of older men, teaching them to follow (and think about) Christ effectively).

How We Work

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:

1. Don't bring it weak; participate, don't merely spectate

2) Have a thick skin

3) No personal attacks (ad hominem), either given or received

4) No sidebars...it's just plain rude.

5) No texting/phone use (unless you have young children/family that must reach you)

6) Define & clarify your terms - ambiguity serves both the speaker and listener poorly

7) Never, ever, walk out the door offended or offensive - keep short accounts and our spears aimed at the common enemy rather than each other

8) Always think about how this applies to you, your family, church, neighborhood, city, region, state, country, and world (roughly in that order)...change starts in the heart/head and works outwards.