A weak effort from the author of the "Theological Word of the Day," especially in light of greater thinkers, e.g. the Westminster Assembly. See below for Chapter 26, WCF.Can the moderns not "man up" and "fleet up?" As if the titans had not considered the holy, catholic, historic and biblical issues at Westminster! Yet, not a peep about titanic English thinkers.
Daily, we confess the Apostles' Creed.
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost: The holy Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints: The Forgiveness of sins: The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting.
Why is not the WCF cited? It is an English document and confession. Can the WCF be improved? We think not. The WCF is stellar, brilliant, and sterling.
Let the editors and authors at "Theological Word of the Day" take note from grander thinkers. A 1-2 lineup for compare/contrast.
communio sanctorum Theological Word of the Day
Communio sanctorum, The "Communion of the Saints."
September 3, 2010
(Latin, “communion of the saints”)
"The Christian belief, often emphasized in the Catholic and Orthodox church, that the church is comprised of a spiritual communion or fellowship of all saints, including those living (ecclesia militans “the church militant,” cf. 1 Cor. 12:1ff) and those dead (ecclesia triumphans “the church triumphant,” cf. Heb. 12:1). In such a fellowship, the body of Christ continues to find strength in all its members. Protestants often find offense at this concept because of the perceived abuses of the Catholic and Orthodox churches who advocate prayer to dead saints as a benefit of such communion. But prayers to the saints is not a necessary result of a belief in the communio sanctorum. In fact, the communio sanctorum is part of the Apostle’s Creed, to which Evangelical Protestants adhere. "
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Now, put that--the above effort-- against this below. (http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/) This below is stellar. Can this be improved? Perhaps, but clearly, this definition must be the substratum for development. As it is, this is brilliant.
Chapter XXVI
Of the Communion of Saints
I. All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their Head, by His Spirit, and by faith, have fellowship with Him in His grace, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory:[1] and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other's gifts and graces,[2] and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.[3]II. Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification;[4] as also in relieving each other in outward things, according to their several abilities and necessities. Which communion, as God offers opportunity, is to be extended unto all those who, in every place, call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.[5]
III. This communion which the saints have with Christ, does not make them in any wise partakers of the substance of His Godhead; or to be equal with Christ in any respect: either of which to affirm is impious and blasphemous.[6] Nor does their communion one with another, as saints, take away, or infringe the title or propriety which each man has in his goods and possessions.[7]
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