We all do it. We appeal to logic when we approach an issue that we feel scripture does not speak to explicitly. Often this approach is helpful, and I would even say valid. However, I believe that all too frequently we fail to do adequate study because we trust our logic so thoroughly. I recently found reason for this accusation in myself with regard to communion, and I think probably it is a safe one to point at the academic/pastoral world as well. I recall spending about eight minutes talking about the Lordâs Supper at seminaryâ¦add that to the 12 seconds I got at college, and all totaled I had only spent eight minutes and twelve seconds trying to think biblically about communion.
This past week I was called out and asked to give a scriptural defense of open communion over against closed communion. I could bring up a couple of texts that could be interpreted my way, but in the end I found myself saying, âWell, we are one body in Christ. Open communion is simply the better picture of unity. Ergo, closed communion is stupid and anyone who believes in it is stupid (insert other ad hominem attacks hereâ¦)
As soon as I took a breath, I realized that I had not ever really studied it. I am not suggesting that we abandon logic in the Christian life, but I found that for myself I had only logic and a proof-text. So off I wentâ¦and now, off I go.
(If you read this post before 10/6, I have made several updates and shortened it a bit.)