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Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Is the height of your sacramental theology balanced?

Currently, I’m attending a baptist church (actually I’m attached to two since I also go to a different one with my daughters every alternate Sunday).

Unsurprisingly, they make a big deal out of baptism. It is kinda their thing.

But, I do wonder about the way churches can vary in the way they handle the fundamental Protestant sacraments - baptism & communion.

In theory, a church will fall somewhere within the range of high to low sacramental theology.

A high sacramental theology will deeply value the structure, meaning and tradition of the ritual.

A low sacramental theology will be more pragmatic and flexible in regards to structure, meaning and the tradition.

I find it interesting when churches mix their sacramental theology across the sacraments, for example, being quite high on baptism, but low on communion (or vice-versa).

Is this a result of churches seeing the central sacraments as completely distinct?

Is this a result of the minister or congregation’s preference?

Ideally, the sacramental theology of a church should align.

Why?

Because the height of a church’s practice will contribute to the appeal of the church.

For those who value liturgy, structure, predictability and tradition, varying the degree that this is employed through two important rituals may cause discontent or disconnect.

Those who are drawn in by the casual nature baptisms are performed may find the way communion is conducted jarring.

Those who are drawn in by the formal nature communion is performed may find themselves placing less significance upon baptism if they are too unstructured.

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