The Lord's Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz Bjarne - Logia

Introduction |
could bring it about that Christ is in heaven and His body in the
Supper at the same time, and that He reserved to His divine wisdom
and power many more ways to accomplish the same result, because
we do not know the limit or measure of His power” (LW 37, 207).
Luther’s doctrine of the Real Presence is taken from “the clear, distinct
Scripture which reads, ‘Take, eat; this is my body,’ and we are
not under obligation nor will we be pressed to cite Scripture beyond
this text — though we could do so abundantly” (LW 37, 33).
12 Similarly, when Chemnitz comes to discuss Christ’s presence in
the church according to both natures, he asserts that “we are not arguing
from the absolute omnipotence of the Son of God, but at this
discussion about Christ we must always add the fact that He wills,
is able, does, or is” (TNC 426). So, with regard to the Real Presence,
Chemnitz confesses, “We have . . . an express word and a specific
promise instituted in a particular and definite way, ordained as part
of His will and testament by the Son of God Himself on the night
in which He was betrayed, a promise which Christ ratified also after
His ascension by sitting at the right hand of the Majesty in His glory
in heaven, a promise which was repeated to Paul, a promise that He
wills to be present with His body and blood in the observance of His
Supper as it is celebrated in the gathering of the church here on earth
in accord with His institution” (TNC 432).
13 With respect to Chemnitz’s Ministry, Word, and Sacraments, an
Enchiridion, the noteworthy thing about this is that the author originally
composed it as “an examination for the use of the less welltrained
pastors” at the beginning of the Reformation of the churches
in the Duchy of Brunswick (MWS 13). The work was to be used in
periodic examinations of pastors by the superintendents. It is set up
in the form of questions and answers. Of the four parts of the book
Part I, containing ten pages, treats of the call of the ministers of the
Word and Sacraments. Part II, by far the most extensive section (117
pages), contains detailed questions on the Word and the Sacraments.
Under the rubric of “The Word of God” one finds a short dogmatics
treating Scripture, the Law, Sin, Contrition, Free Will, the Gospel,
Justification, Faith, Predestination, and the New Obedience. Under
the “Sacraments” there are questions and answers on Baptism, Absolution,
and the Lord’s Supper, with the latter receiving the most consideration
(12 pages). Chemnitz gives all the topics a solid dogmatic