When/ how did Zwingliist symbolism/ memorialism enter mainstream evangelicalism?

[Michael52]

Originally posted by Matt Black:
I think the receptionist view does fall within the ambit of a belief in the Real Presence, albeit a spiritual rather than physical Real Presence.

I think most memorialist, deep down, don't have a problem with the receptionist stance (I don't). The problem comes in when people mistakenly believe the "real presence" is somehow inherent in the elements, rather than the "real presence" that Jesus Christ has, or should have, in their daily lives. Without "that" presence, juice and crackers are merely juice and crackers.

Thus, to focus on the "presence" that really matters, I'll err on the memorialist's side. Besides, as Pastor Larry has so well illustrated, the memorialist postion is much easier to defend from the Scriptures.

 

[Matt Black]

Hmmm...I'm not sure that that amounts to receptionism; receptionism says that Christ is spiritually present in some way in the elements and that s/he who eats and drinks the elements by so doing spiritually receives and feeds on Christ. What you're describing seems to be halfway between receptionism and memorialism but leaning heavily towards the latter.

 

[Michael52]

Originally posted by Matt Black:
Hmmm...I'm not sure that that amounts to receptionism; receptionism says that Christ is spiritually present in some way in the elements and that s/he who eats and drinks the elements by so doing spiritually receives and feeds on Christ. What you're describing seems to be halfway between receptionism and memorialism but leaning heavily towards the latter.

Sobeit.

In response, I originally wrote a lengthy reply spelling out my own, possibly errant or non-systematic, view on the subject. I realized that I wouldn’t really be saying anything original that other learned Christians had not already heard and could use to better fit my view into a neat category. Some would simply agree and some would disagree.

I guess everyone should seek to be convinced in his own mind and I’m probably not the best to try and convince anyone otherwise.

Though, like you, it does bother me when those who tend toward “trans/sub” try to question sincerity and commitment of others with different views (yes, there is the flip-side). I do like to read and try to understand the insights of others.

Who am I to criticize the servant of another?