In response to Nikki’s questions I am not sure. Having a conversation recently reinforced the issue that the gospels were recorded after many of the letters. I was discussing inclusive communion and how Jesus included Judas in the meal even though he was about to betray him. Does this give us evidence that we can make communion inclusive? One response suggested was that as Judas subsequently hanged himself, that this was a result of taking communion in an unworthy manner. However this sits very uneasily as Jesus himself then set Judas up and the unworthy manner bit was not mentioned in the gospels but in letters. So I still think there could be a case for inclusive communion (perhaps the agape meal that Nikki distinguishes) but I struggle with these kind of semantics and denying people a communion regardless of where we think they are as it may give glimpse of God.
SUNDAY PAPERS – THE SUPPLEMENT
A CO-OPERATIVE LOOK AT LIFE, MISSION, EMERGING CHURCH AND ALL THAT
If we see communion as the rules based system that it tends to exist as then we can see that anyone can ‘follow the instructions’ and ‘take’ communion. However, if we see that the ‘spirit’ of communion is what is important then we see that only those who live out of that spirit can experience communion.
This kind of relates to my second comment against the last post.
Naturally people who are starting to experience Christ start to experience communion. The term ‘communion’ means a sharing and unity. So faith based communion would be a sharing and unity in faith.
More thoughts on communion here: http://bromleyboy.blogspot.com/2005/07/fresh-thinking-on-communion.html
Also obvious book link is Mass Culture edited by Pete Ward.
Personally I think communion should be inclusive – some churches have “closed tables” – doesn’t seem very Christ-like to me!
Mark comments that “people who are starting to experience Christ start to experience communion”. But what if it is the other way round. Like the whole belonging before believing before behaving thing. What if people come to our inclusive communion table, and find not only a spiritual experience but a belonging? In fact, what if the belonging they find is the spiritual experience and this is the beginning of experiencing Christ for them?
Ah communion as evangelism. I think that this is similar to the idea of having a seeker service where we expect none beleivers to sing lies (like expecting them to sing the line ‘Jesus is Lord’ etc.).
I don’t deny that if non-believers take communion that they can’t experience Christ, but I still think that communion should be taken literally and that it is communion.
What do you mean when you say that ‘communion should be taken literally and that it is communion’?
To compare communion again to a meal, I know that I have been introduced to friends over meals. I go for a meal with someone who also has other friends around and I go away with more friends. Maybe as people who believe share communion with one another and with christ and invite in those who are exploring it is like an introduction, a sense of belonging that must precede believing?
To be honest, I don’t know that I differntiate much between ‘believers’ and ‘non believers’ these days. We are all people in the world, and could be part of the kingdom of God if it were extended to us. Surely in this kingdom anyone to whom it is extended is part of it… whether they realise it yet or not?
Sorry- that one above was me- forgot to fill in the form before I clicked send.
Hi Nikki,
When I say about taking it literally I mean as in it being an act of community – as in a validation that ‘we are a community’.
Sure, if one doesn’t differentiate between believers and non-believers then everyone is ‘in’ the community. However, it seems to me that the Biblical record does show a differentiation between believers and non-believers (not that we can necessarily always know who is who) and because of that (and the reasons for that differentiation – which are illustrated) then I believe that communion is for the believing community.
Maybe Richard P will do a post about belonging before believing etc that we can discuss this more fundamental issue on? 🙂
It is interesting to see how both of our beliefs about communion come from our more fundamental beliefs about belonging.
Good points Mark. I’d certainly be interested in a belonging before believing conversation. 🙂