Opened the office this morning. Somehow still managed to watch two videos — nearly two hours of class time. I think writing about this every day is making me do the work. Unexpected side effect.
Today moved into sacramental theology proper. The dominical sacraments — Baptism and the Lord’s Supper — are in a category by themselves. Article XXV doesn’t say the other five so-called sacraments lack all sacramental character. It says they aren’t in the same league. Baptism purifies. The Supper nourishes. Both are signs and seals of the covenant of grace, designed by God to make the invisible benefits visible and the eternal things tangible.
The second lecture was on marriage symbolism running through the covenants. The argument is that we western Christians tend to think about salvation too legally — transaction, verdict, acquittal. But the biblical picture is a King seeking a bride. Christ sheds his own innocent blood to cover the impurity of the bride. The bishop, then, is the caretaker of the bride awaiting the return of the Bridegroom.
That’s a different kind of weight than a juridical office carries.
Tomorrow: more videos. The required reading needs attention too.
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