Corpus-Paul

["Tony Costa" <tmcos AT rogers.com>]

Are we talking of literal consumption of "blood" in the theological context 
of 'transubstantiation' as Roman Catholicism holds, or are we talking about 
the bread and cup as "symbols" of the body and blood of Jesus as someone 
like Zwingli would have argued? If we are saying the blood is literal I can 
say how this would conflict with OT prohibitions, but not if we are talking 
symbolically.

Tony Costa
Toronto, Canada

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "RUSSELL BOOTH" <russbooth281 AT msn.com>
To: <corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 11:49 AM
Subject: [Corpus-Paul] ...And From Blood


> Blood is prohibited to those under the Noahide Covenant (Gen 9:4) and to 
> those under the Mosaic Covenant (Lev 3:17, 7:26-27, 17:10-14, Deut 
> 12:16,12:23-27,15:22-23). Saul acted to prevent people from having to 
> suffer the penalty for having violated this law (1 Sam 14:33-35 ). Did 
> Paul do something similar?
>
> Paul reported that he was informed of the body and blood elements of the 
> commemorative meal by a vision of the risen Christ (1 Cor 11:23). He 
> stated that he did not receive this information from any eye-witness (Gal 
> 1:15-23). Barring supernatural causes, Paul's testimony allows body and 
> blood elements of the commemorative meal to be traced to Paul but not to 
> the historical Jesus.
>
> The author of Luke/Acts depicted Peter, post-crucifixion, as claiming not 
> to have ever eaten anything unclean (Acts 10:14). Blood is unclean for all 
> humans according to the customs of Moses. Peter claimed not to have 
> participated in a meal that included blood.
>
> The Pillars - James, Peter and John - and the elders issued a decree 
> prohibiting blood to those under the Noahide Covenant (Acts 15:19-20, 
> 21:25). This would prohibit to them the commemorative meal that Paul was 
> teaching.
>
> After the crucifixion, blood continued to be prohibited to those under 
> both the Noahide and Mosaic Covenants according to Jesus' direct 
> successor, to disciples who were with Jesus during his ministry and to 
> their assembly.
>
> Body and blood symbolism associated with the Eucharist cannot be traced to 
> the historical Jesus through Paul or through the disciples of Jesus using 
> commonly accepted historical-critical methods. Therefore, body and blood 
> symbolism associated with the Eucharist originated with Paul.
>
> Theological refutation of this assertion would require simply an 
> apologetic affirmation of creed.
>
> Setting faith aside, how would one falsify this proposition?
>
> Respectfully,
>
> Russ Booth
> russbooth281 AT msn.com
> Minneapolis, Minnesota
>
>
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