1. Why do you think Cross does not use the term “sacrament” in his chapter title?
Cross believes the word sacrament is misunderstood. He “doesn’t use the term sacrament in this chapter title because he believes it indicates we must perform or participate in them to receive a blessing from God.” (p. 84). The process of such rituals implies that I can do some action to receive a special gift from God. ‘“Sacrament” is also inappropriate since it carries too much baggage from the history of Christian thought.” (p. 116)
2. According to Cross, what is a sacrament?
According to Cross, a sacrament is “occasions for God’s presence to be in our midst as well as opportunities for believers to express their devotion and faith to God.” They are a actions performed by humans in response to God’s grace. They are “…rich with symbolic meaning and promise of God’s manifest presence. There are rituals of baptism, holy communion, weddings, funerals, dedication of
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A dedication ceremony for the child is appropriate.
5. Elaborate on the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation in the Eucharist.
Transubstantiation is the Roman Catholic doctrine that at the consecration in the Lord's Supper, the elements of the Eucharist, bread and wine, are transformed into the actual body and blood of Jesus and that they are no longer bread and wine but only retain their appearance of bread and wine. Thomas Aquinas presented, “the substance of the bread and wine really change into the substance of the body and blood of Christ, while the accidents of the appearance of bread and wine remain the same.”
6. How would you explain (theologically) what is happening in the Lord’s Supper—especially in terms of Christ’s