In the ordination service with which Bishop Wallace Benn is soon to ordain me presbyter (priest), d.v., it says that the special responsibilities of priests include absolving and blessing the people in the name of Christ. I’m perfectly happy to promise so to do, but I wonder if anyone can help us out with the exegetical basis for that? Also, how would you prove from the Bible that the minister is specially authorised to represent Christ (to his congregation)?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
I absolve you & I bless you
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4 comments:
I’m perfectly happy to promise so to do, but I wonder if anyone can help us out with the exegetical basis for that?
Aren't the two halves of that sentence the wrong way round? Didn't you mean to say "I wonder if anyone can help us out with the exegetical basis for that? Assuming one is provided, I’m perfectly happy to promise so to do."? :-)
Nah, I'm happy to do all sorts of things I don't have a text at my finger tips for. Just off to brush my teeth, for example, but I'm not sure Jesus explicitly commanded 30 year old fathers of one to do that on a Thursday morning... :)
Are you really putting "forgiving the sins of the people" (absolution) in the same basket, and are happy with the same level of explicit Biblical warrant as, brushing your teeth?
The Bible speaks regularly and at length on the subject of forgiveness and how it is obtained. Surely, therefore, if one is doing things related to that topic, particular attention must be paid? The Bible does not speak explicitly on the matter of brushing teeth (although it does command you to look after your body) and so it is a matter for godly common sense.
I think there is a similarity in principle about doing anything with or without explicity Biblical warrant. The Regulative Principle / sufficiency of Scripture really does apply to the whole of life.
Yet I can also see what you say.
I think one can make a case for the minister blessing and absolving in the name of Christ but I hoped someone could help with it and add a few texts.
One problem is whether or not one allows a line from the Apostles to ministers (remembering that Peter and John both call themselves Elders).
Has anyone read anything good on this?
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