AboutMartin W. Eldred Expertise I have been a Lutheran Christian for 47 years and a Lutheran pastor for almost 19. I can answer most general questions about Luther, Lutheran History, Lutheran Theology, and a Lutheran approach to Biblical Interpretation. I am ELCA, for those who know what that means, and I tend to be moderate theologically. I hope that I can converse with those that are either more conservative or liberal than I, and especially with those who are really just seeking.
Experience Pastors are "generalists" and generally have a working knowledge on many subjects. We are also used to working with a variety of answers from a variety of people. I teach a great deal, especially in the area ofthe New Testament. I particulalry enjoy the Pauline literature.
Organizations I have been a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, an international gathering of biblical scholars and teachers, since the late 1980s.
Publications I have written a few book reviews for the journal, "Lutheran Quarterly."
Education/Credentials I have a B.A. from Pacific Lutheran University in Religion (Biblical Studies)and a Master of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary.
Question QUESTION: If the bread and wine are the body and blood of Jesus how
come the bread and wine are then eaten after the Eucharist
and not like in the Catholic church placed in the altar for
the next Eucharist?
ANSWER: Thank you for your question.
For Lutherans, Christ's real presence in the Eucharist does not ontologically change the bread and wine (that is, it does not change their essence, or their being). The elements remain bread and wine, but Christs presence comes through the promise of his presence (the Word) connected with the material elements of bread and wine.
"Word plus element" is one way to formulate a Lutheran understanding of a sacrament--Jesus promises to be there and that his presence brings forgiveness of sins which is attached to a physical element such as bread and wine, or water for baptism.
After the event, therefore, either the Meal or the Baptism, the elements remain what they were--bred, wine, water. The Promise/Word is no longer connected in a grace-giving manner. It is only in the context of the Meal, or the Baptism that these elements have the Word's promised connection. Afterward, they are what they are--everyday elements.
That is why we do not reserve the bread and wine, or consider Baptism or blessed water "holy water." We do tend to treat these elements with respect after, often eating the remaining bread or giving it to the birds, drinking the wine or disposing of it in a respectful way upon the ground.
I hope that this is helpful.
Martin Edred
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QUESTION: Here is another question for you.
I am a man with long hair. Is this condemned in the Bible?
I read 1 Corinthians 11: 1-16 where Apostle Paul says:
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have
long hair, it is shame unto him.
Does this apply to the Jews only or does this apply to all
Christians living in modern times?
Did Jesus not have long hair?
And if men aren't aloud to have long hair should all women
also have their heads covered?
Answer The question of hair and clothing; etc. can best be allocated to the realm of contemporary cultural considerations. What would be scandalous in Paul's day (women with uncovered hair, men (at least in the Grecco-Roman culture) with long hair would probably not be as important today. For Paul these "freedom" expressions could bring a negative reputation about Christians among the "pagans" to whom they were supposed to be witnessing. The same can be said with the role of women in leadership, which for the conservative, male-dominated, woman-at-home, Roman culture was VERY offensive. Paul attempts, in his own way, to balance the freedoms Christians have through the gospel and their obligations to present a positive impression to their neighbors.
I would say, therefore, that matters of hair and such are best left to private decisions. Our culture, diverse and multi-cultural, no longer has the same universal issue with long hair, or strange clothes.
