Kurt E. Marquart Commends Luther's Liturgical Criteria by Bryan D. Spinks

 

Central to Luther’s Reformation was the rediscovery of the Sacrament as pure gift. The Lord’s body and blood are present not to be resacrificed by us to God—this “sacrifice of the mass” is completely contrary to Heb 10:10-18—but rather to be received by us from God! The tragic reversal by which God’s gracious gift of the Holy Supper had been falsified into a work which we offer to appease Him was what made the Roman mass such an abomination for Luther (see SA II.ii). The reformation of doctrine to this point was expressed in the reformation of liturgical practice. As far as Luther was concerned, in emphasizing  the words of institution, he was replacing the canon with the gospel itself, and in the gospel it is God who does something for us, and offers it to us. Here, then, is not a remnant of the canon prayed to God, but the gospel offering Christ and his forgiveness to us [as Spinks sets forth, 1982 edition, p. 34]. And so, after centuries of secretive muttering, the consecrating Words of Institution were solemnly chanted by the celebrant as a public heralding and embodiment of the very heart of the Gospel!

Kurt E. Marquart, “‘Church Growth’ as Mission Paradigm: A Confessional Lutheran Assessment” in Church and Ministry Today: Three Confessional Lutheran Essays (St. Louis: The Luther Academy, 2001), 123.

Too Sinful for Communion?

Do you feel that, because of your sins, you cannot go to the Lord's Supper?

Perhaps you do because of how many your sins are. Or perhaps because of one that is besetting, a sin that many times you have resolved and even taken measure against repeating, but here you are again, right in the same sin. Perhaps it is because of a line you crossed from prior sins to this new one, this worse one, as if sin has so overgrown the garden that there are no fruits of faith left in it. Perhaps it is because you compare yourself to others who seem to not even know anything about the existence of the kind of sin that grips you. Them make life seem so easy, as if they are not even tempted, but casually walk in the holiness you desire.

If this is you, then hear and believe the Word of the Gospel:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Luther uses this Word as motivation to move people to come to the Sacrament.

Because of your distress, this command, invitation, and promise are given to you. This ought to move you. . . . He means those who are weary and heavy laden with their sins, with the fear of death, temptations of the flesh, and of the devil. If, therefore, you are heavy laden and feel your weakness, then go joyfully to the Sacrament and receive refreshment, comfort, and strength Mathew 11:28.[1]

This teaching also is given in the article on “The Holy Supper” in the Formula of Concord:

Some Christians have a weak faith and are shy, troubled, and heartily terrified because of the great number of their sins. They think that in their great impurity they are not worthy of this precious treasure and Christ’s benefits. They fell their weakness of faith and lament it, and from their hearts desire that they may serve God with stronger, more joyful faith and pure obedience. These are the truly worthy guests, for whom this highly venerable Sacrament has been especially instituted and appointed. For Christ says: Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).[2]

_______________________ 

[1] Martin Luther, Large Catechism, Part V, The Sacrament of the Altar, Paul Timothy McCain, Ed., Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, 2nd ed. (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2006), 439; LC V.71-72.

[2] Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord, Paul Timothy McCain, Ed., Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, 2nd ed. (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2006), 573-574; SD VII.69-70.

Election Torment (Predestination)

Christians sometimes torment themselves with thoughts relating to election, thoughts about what they imagine to be God’s secret counsel, his secret will about their salvation.

If this happens to you, hear this Word of God:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

These words of Christ are his Gospel invitation to salvation and his revelation of the will of God that you be saved. The Formula of Concord uses this verse when teaching our Lutheran faith and confession concerning election unto salvation.

Whoever would be saved should not trouble or torment himself with thoughts about God’s secret counsel, about whether he also is elected and ordained to eternal life. Miserable Satan usually attacks with these thoughts and afflicts godly hearts. But they should hear Christ, who is the Book of Life, and hear about God’s eternal election to eternal life for all of His children. Christ testifies to all people without distinction that it is God’s will that all people should come to Him “who labor and are heavy laden” with sin, in order that He may give them rest and save them [Matthew 11:28].

Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord, Paul Timothy McCain, Ed., Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, 2nd ed. (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2006), 611-612; SD XI.70.