Since the bread and wine of The Lord’s Supper are (visible or tangible) words, given in what one might call the particular “language” of one situated culture, that of Israel in the first century, one might argue that what is needed is a dynamic equivalence “translation” of the elements into all the different cultural languages of human societies over time and around the world.
On this view, one would isolate the essential meaning of the word-signs (perhaps a staple food and a red drink used in festivity) and render it in meaningful ways: say, rice and red tea might be used
For my self I am a literalist. Let’s always and consistently have bread and wine. The most important meaning given to bread and wine is that found in the Scriptures, where bread (or its constituents, such as grain) and wine are presented very frequently.
Behind all this is are question of whether all cultures and languages are equal or whether we should seek to learn the Bible’s language and conform to its culture and whether the symbolism of the Lord’s Supper is natural (general) or conventional (special).
No doubt one could use other elements if bread and wine really weren’t ever going to be available to you, but would it really be The Lord’s Supper in gold capital letters? Similarly, one might use the Good News Bible or The Message, but we wouldn’t want to confuse them with the Word of God, would we?
No burger and coke eucharists for us and perhaps some time with James Jordan’s Through New Eyes (on biblical symbolism / worldview).
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Hi Marc,
I always enjoy reading your thoughts / musings, though probably should be getting on with other things...
I'm particularly inclined to agree with you - bread and wine are important as biblical theological symbols. The incarnation and the New Testament did not suddenly happen but are part of the big story, which involves the particular use of the people of Israel and the (cultural) imagery and symbolism of the Old Testament. God's redemptive work for all the many cultures of the world (Genesis 1-11 - general - and in which his glorious diversity is seen) happens through his particular choosing (Gen 12 onwards). Potatoes and blackberry juice may be the obvious natural choices say in Northern Ireland, and they certainly speak of the bounty, diversity and provision of God, but they don't speak of the one eternal gospel, planned and worked out in a particular way from beginning to end.
Slightly related is the idea of understanding Jesus as Shepherd in an urban setting or King in a republic. There might be other, relevant illustrations we can use to help people, but in the end, the symbols/categories we are given are more than merely illustrations from one culture to be somehow translated. We need to explain to people what a shepherd is and does and what a King is and demands, don't we?
Yes, Ben. Thank you very much. And well put, if I may say so. I think your potatoes & balckcurrent in the Province is a great illustration.
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