tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20483025.post116235458785944189..comments2023-10-28T10:40:36.246-05:00Comments on Without Authority: Thoughts for Reformation DayThomas Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16168017369500841150noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20483025.post-1162855988252634992006-11-06T17:33:00.000-06:002006-11-06T17:33:00.000-06:00ok, thanksok, thanksColin Clouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11836100534647181995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20483025.post-1162750755740673682006-11-05T12:19:00.000-06:002006-11-05T12:19:00.000-06:00Matthew -- I apologize if my post confused you. I...Matthew -- I apologize if my post confused you. It was never my intention to suggest that the doctrine of justification through faith is itself the center of my hope. Christ is my hope, not the doctrine. However, the doctrine does perfectly <I>describe</I> the manner in which I am saved by Christ, that is, through faith apart from works of the law. Thus, the content of the doctrine, what it <I>conveys</I>, is the center of my life. That is why I said that O’Connor and I are not that far apart. Both of us trust in the justification that comes from Christ alone, in Word and Sacrament. <BR/><BR/>In short, I agree with what you said in your comment: the only center is Christ. And that is what the doctrine of justification through faith makes so clear, and that is why I treasure it so much.Thomas Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16168017369500841150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20483025.post-1162689983316936302006-11-04T19:26:00.000-06:002006-11-04T19:26:00.000-06:00I am having difficulties understanding this post. ...I am having difficulties understanding this post. O'Connor said the SS. Sacrament was the center of her life. She did not say the doctrine of the real presence was. The Sacrament was the comfort in distress. But you seem to say that the doctrine of justification by faith alone is the center of your hope. But the doctrine of justification by faith alone is not Christ, the sacrament is. Thus it would seem that you should say that the SS. Sacrament is the center of your life. That the Sacrament be the center is only possible 1) because the Sacrament is Christ and Christ is the center, and 2) because he has justified me by faith. But nevertheless, the only center is Christ, which is the Most Blessed Sacrament.<BR/><BR/>As I understand it, the doctrine of justification by faith states that Christ through the sacrament is the center. And because he is the center, nothing more is required, save that we not spit on it. But nevertheless, the SS. Sacrament is the center.Colin Clouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11836100534647181995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20483025.post-1162396481625824382006-11-01T09:54:00.000-06:002006-11-01T09:54:00.000-06:00Wonderful post. I've been realizing that the olde...Wonderful post. I've been realizing that the older I get, the more "comfortable" my faith has become. Not comfortable in that I may be taking it for granted too much, but comfortable in the sense that it is THERE. The forgiveness is there. The justification is there. It was given to me. <BR/><BR/>I've unfortuately had to listen to more "Christian radio" in recent months that I care for (long story). There seems to be an underlyng tone to that station's speaker about doing this or doing that or about our sinful natures and how to improve in this or that aspect of daily life. <BR/><BR/>All well and good, but I do miss that comfort of "Given for You."LoieJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08083454353846306345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20483025.post-1162390009719493982006-11-01T08:06:00.000-06:002006-11-01T08:06:00.000-06:00Very nice post, Thomas. I liked the way you were ...Very nice post, Thomas. I liked the way you were both ecumenical and uncompromising in your adherence to justification. I am reminded of Jüngel's own uncompromising ecumenism.David W. Congdonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03009330707703611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20483025.post-1162388706277218142006-11-01T07:45:00.000-06:002006-11-01T07:45:00.000-06:00Great post. It reminds me of one of the things I m...Great post. It reminds me of one of the things I miss from the Lutheran liturgy since we've been worshipping at an Episcopal church. In the Lutheran liturgy, as you point out, the pastor (or whoever) says "The Body of Christ, <I>given for you</I>" whereas in the Episcopal liturgy it's "The Body of Christ, the Bread of Heaven." I miss that "pro nobis" aspect that Lutheranism emphasizes, which I think it's safe to say is tied in to the doctrine of justification. God, in Christ, is <I>for us.</I>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com