Can "Reformed" Protestantism's approach to theology lead out of Christianity?

Re: Can "Reformed" Protestantism's approach to theology lead out of Christianity?

My doctrinal position would be similar to a Reformed Baptist, holding the memorial view of communion and credo-baptism instead of pedo-baptism.

My question for you would be, are pieces of Jesus' body missing now? It seems like with the Catholic or Lutheran approach to communion, we should expect no bodily return of Christ, because his finite body would have been exhausted centuries ago through multiple communions.

I don't see how transubstantiation believers maintain their position as it is absurd for this reason alone, and the consubstantiation position is not much better. Also, since Jesus was present at the first Lord's Supper, and the wine and bread were offered before the atonement, how do you explain this? Were these elements only symbolic this time? If Christ meant for communion to be the real body and blood, why didn't he cut a hunk of his flesh off and drain some of his blood right then and there? Did the disciples see a hunk of his flesh disappear at the same time he offered the bread?

The Reformed position is less absurd, because they teach that the presence is spiritual and not physical, like transubstantiation and consubstantiation believers hold. Therefore, they avoid the argument regarding the finite nature of Christ's physical body.

However, the less absurd is the memorial view, with the body and blood being symbols and not the reality.

Regarding your questions:

1. We work from the Bible and not church traditions. Our view is consistent with the teachings of Scripture. Present your
Scriptures and we will examine them. In essence, though, we would interpret the one set of verses you will likely present
as metaphorical and obviously not physical. Like I said, if you believe that the elements are literally the body and blood
of Christ, they would have been exhausted long ago. A human body is only composed of 5 quarts of blood and about
160 pounds of flesh. How many thousands of gallons wine have been consumed over the last 2000 years? In addition,
Christ's blood drained out on the ground..did someone collect even this small amount and hoard it in heaven to be
distributed in the future?

2. What do you mean by holy relics? Bones of saints, etcetetera? Where do you find your basis for proclaiming that such
things have magical properties? There is no biblical basis for such claims, and quite often the focus of body parts is ghoulish. Why do you think God hid the body of Moses? Probably to keep his body from being turned into some type of a clown show.

3. If you define "biblical Christianity" as Roman Catholicism, yes Reformed theology will lead a lot out of your organization
because one of their foundational principles is sola Scriptura, meaning that Scripture alone is the basis for faith of the
real believer, and not church tradition. Church tradition has a place, but no church is the basis for our beliefs; Scripture
alone. The church derives its authority from the ultimate authority, which is the Word of God, therefore the church is not
the ultimate authority; the Word of God is (which in essence is to say God himself). Reformed theology attempts to
constantly conform its position to the teachings of Scripture, discarding any traditions that are counter-scriptural. They
do not think they have "arrived" and have the perfect doctrine, unlike other older stagnate churches that won't admit
error.

I am not exactly part of a Reformed church, but my overall theology is very similar except for the pedobaptism and Calvinist perspective on the communion. I admire many Reformed theologians as they teach clearly from Scripture and place ultimate priority on a good understanding of it.

Re: Can "Reformed" Protestantism's approach to theology lead out of Christianity?

Regarding Roman Catholicism and its infallibility assertions, they can't even get their own theology consistent.

Notice these pronouncements:

§
“There is one Universal Church of the faithful, outside of which there is absolutely no salvation.” Pope Innocent III, Fourth Lateran Council (1215)


§ “Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.”, Pope Boniface VIII, Unam Sanctam (1302)


§ “The Most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics, can have a share in life eternal; but that they will go into the eternal fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels, unless before death they are joined with Her….No one, let his almsgiving be as great as it may, no one, even if he pour out his blood for the Name of Christ, can be saved, unless he remain within the bosom and the unity of the Catholic Church.” Pope Eugene IV, Cantate Domino, Council of Florence (1441)

Yet, they retract their infallible pronouncements in the Second Vatican Council:


· “But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place amongst these there are the Mohammedans, who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on the last day will judge mankind. Nor is God far distant from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, for it is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things, and as Savior wills that all men be saved. Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do his will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience.” Lumen Gentium, Second Vatican Council (1964)

I count some Roman Catholics amongst my friends and think they are believers, and I don't go out of my way to offend them, but it's hard to ignore some of the bad doctrines and inconsistencies within the organization itself. I will discuss this type of thing with them and try to expose them to concepts like justification by faith alone as I can.

At the same time, I recognize that some of the most vehement denouncers of Roman Catholicism have severe flaws in their theology, too. Two examples are the Armstrongites who claim they are to be God in the resurrection, and claim to be the true Church, and the Seventh Day Adventists, which practice elective abortion in their health care facilities and make similar claims to be the true "remnant" church. Both of these organizations, officially or unofficially, declare both Roman Catholics and Sunday observing Protestants to be part of the Great Prostitute of Romans 17, and claim that they are the true church. I consider both organizations to be heretical and its members to be potential unbelievers due to their hatred and persecution of the rest of Christianity.