Hello!

I've been thinking about the very basic concept of Christianity, which is bread and wine.

It is very puzzling because if you think deeply it is hard to understand why exactly these and why it is "flesh and blood" of the lord.

while reading some judaic writings, Bereishit in particular, I've found two places which hint at the answer - first, when Abram gave bread and water to Rebecca who went to wander to Beer Sheva

second, when Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed and the most obvious reason of this was their lack of hospitality and basic respect to people, which included giving food and shelter to those from outside

so, linking it all together the puzzle seems to be somewhat getting shape

what do you think people?

@Rilakkuma You mean the basic concept of communion? The basic concept of Christianity is believing that Jesus Christ died and rose again for our sins so that we, through Him, can come to God (salvation). Or if you mean the basic commandments it would be number one to love the Lord, our God with all our heart and soul, and second to love our neighbours as ourselves.

@Rilakkuma Yes, it is puzzling. However, bread and wine/grape juice symbolizes the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ because He said so. I have not yet traced it's types (if there are any) in the OT.

@Zoe yes, I mean the communion as one of the basic things of Christianity.

so this is what was puzzling me - why there are such symbols and why they are necessary.

everything said should have a reason. Such as why there is a sabbath, why one can eat pork and so on and so on.

@Zoe Blood sacrifice is all throughout the OT, starting immediately after the fall in Genesis.

@Flimzy Blood is understandable. But the bread though

@Zoe: When you kill an animal, you have both blood and flesh... and there were specific Jewish rules on what to do with both during sacrifice. The bread and wine replaced those symbols.

How is it going?

@Flimzy What do you think regarding the Dispensationalism or The Covenant Theology?

I just had to look up what The Covenant Theology is... it's Calvinist... so I'm sure I disagree with it :P

As for Dispensationalism... I think it's a load of !@#$

@Flimzy Do you have a favorite theological framework?

Probably.

I have no idea what it would be called, though.

@Flimzy Maybe you want to write a book or something similar exposing that framework. ;)

No, I really don't want to write a book about that.

I have a hard enough time even writing my blog :P

@Flimzy I do not know your blog. Do you have post about the Bible and related topics?

No, mostly about traveling

some times recipes

just random stuff

@Flimzy OK. Thanks!

verbally.flimzy.com if you want to see it. But don't get too excited :P

@PaulVargas A simple definition of those two pl0x

Btw, is one in three and three in one, the same in the case of the Trinity theology?

@Zoe See these short definitions: Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism.

And see this comparative table.

Humm ... You may want to see this question. :)

@Zoe I've been reviewing the comparative table. I think there are some misunderstandings in it. Just ignore that link.

In which US Catholic Bishops have very very strange priorities (more on that story later).

@TRiG Hi, Mr. Green. How are you?