Episode 7: The Body
INTERVIEW WITH DR. PATRICK FRANKLIN
Note
Anabaptists departed theologically from Catholics, and other protestant groups on the question of sacraments. A sacrament is a religious ceremony or ritual that “conveys a sacred or spiritual power through material elements.” [Source] In the Catholic tradition for example, there are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist (communion), Penance (confession or reconciliation), Extreme Unction (anointing the sick), Order (Holy Orders or ordination), and Matrimony (marriage). Anabaptists argued that these should be understood as symbolic actions rather than “mystical channels of divine grace” [Source]. Anabaptists use the word “ordinance” to describe important Christian rituals and consider fewer rituals as having this level of significance. In the EMC there are only two ordinances: water baptism and the Lord’s supper.
Discussion Questions
Franklin, notes the Anabaptist view which takes a symbolic approach to spiritual things, and wonders if we’ve gone too far. He suggests that by thinking of the body of Christ only as symbolic we lose some of the power. What do you think?
Dr. Franklin goes on to say that instead of the church being a spiritual club or gym, it is inherently connected to who we are in Christ and to our salvation; "salvation has to be socially embodied.” What do you think he means? How does this work out in our church relationships?
Patrick talks about how mobile our culture is and therefore how temporary many relationships are. He then asks us to consider if we even factor into our priorities who we are there and present for? And whether we regard each other literally almost as our limbs? How would you answer him?
Dr. Franklin mentions single people twice as being in particular need of the stability of the church. How well would you say your church enfolds single people? If it’s not as strong as it might be, how can this be done better?