John: You probably feel much like I fee every time JS says ”...mere remembrance.” :-)

When anything is defined DOWN by someone, then the “something else” is part of many people’s journey. The “something else” may be a connection to Jesus in present time or a connection to Jesus in eternal time. It may be a “something else” that can be talked about but not measured, or it may be something that can’t even be talked about.

I’m certainly not offended by anyone having a long list of “something else’s,” but JS has historically felt that any statement by non-RPers somehow amounts to an attack on those who affirm a real RP. The elephant in the room always amounts to who RESPECTS the other person’s view of the Supper and Baptism. Well….I have a question:

Do we respect one another’s confession of faith in the real Jesus?

If so, then what are we talking about? The Lutheran has Jesus here, the RC there, the Pentecostal up there, the Baptist around here somewhere. Are we talking location or REALITY, because I don’t think even the most non-sacramental person here is exercising faith in something NOT real, but ultimately real.

After that, I really don’t get what the discomfort level is. Why do these RCs continually write me with the assumption that if I get in the room where the eucharist is, I’ll finally discover the beauty of the real presence of Jesus? Why is my discovery of the presence of Jesus and my entire life’s devotion and worship to that Jesus not working?

I don’t want Baptists or whatever the hell I am to be adopted into the Lutheran, Anglican or Catholic church, and I’ll publicly call out anyone who degrades your faith in Jesus. But I think we have an open door to all those who believe Jesus of Nazareth is Lord, present, reigning, united to us, here in the power of the Spirit, whatever we want to say and after that anyone ought to be ashamed of himself for insisting on more for the purposes of the love of the brethren.

I know I’ve sinned in this area, but when you can’t have fellowship in your own family over this kind of distinction, you long for it not to be an issue elsewhere. Without compromise on anyone’s part.

peace and thanks for reading this bit of a vent