We cannot learn what the Church is from theological books. Nor can we learn this only from sermons, even though it should continually be said to us in sermons and we should hear it there. Rather, faith in the church - that is, believing knowledge of what the church is according to her deepest essence - arises from our experiences at the celebration of the Supper. -- Herman Sasse, *The Lonely Way* vol. 1, p. 394
23 May 2008
Old Lutheran Quote of the Day
We cannot learn what the Church is from theological books. Nor can we learn this only from sermons, even though it should continually be said to us in sermons and we should hear it there. Rather, faith in the church - that is, believing knowledge of what the church is according to her deepest essence - arises from our experiences at the celebration of the Supper. -- Herman Sasse, *The Lonely Way* vol. 1, p. 394
If this is so, and I believe it to be, then why is the Lord's Eucharist not celebrated every Sunday and feast day in the Lutheran Church?
ReplyDeleteSasse seems to understand that the church and her sacraments are mysteries, not to be understood or categorized by human logic or categories, which, unfortunately, seems to have been lost in most Protestant denominations nowadays. All the more unfortunate.
Christopher,
ReplyDeleteYou know, there are probably more Lutheran parishes that celebrate it each feast and festival now than at any time since the days of high Lutheran Orthodoxy.