"If ... early medieval theology has anything to teach modern Christians it is that every group needs to deepen and develop its eucharistic theology remembering that the Lord's meal is a mystery. And, at the same time restoring the basic symbols of one loaf and one cup: token-sized breads, pre-cut wafers, sips from little chalices or thimbles with individual portions are all pointers to bad theology rather than to the Lord."
Thomas O'Loughlin, Celtic Theology: Humanity, World and God in Early Irish Writings, p. 145
This question has been around since the early church. What happens when a baptised member sins? This then led to a one time absolution, and eventually indulgences.
In the 6th or 7th century, the Irish Penitentials were wrtten. Each monastic community pretty much had their own. These dealt with repentance and did include increasing pentance for repeated sins. The Irish, as did the Eastern Church, viewed sin as a treatable illness, needing the proper treatment. Unlike the Western/Latin church which came to view sin as something to be beaten out of you, as a crime to be punished.
What happens to unbaptised children led to the debate between Augustine and Pelagius on original sin. The result has been the grief of many a parent over their children going to hell because they died prior to baptism. It is a long, sad history.
"If ... early medieval theology has anything to teach modern Christians it is that every group needs to deepen and develop its eucharistic theology remembering that the Lord's meal is a mystery. And, at the same time restoring the basic symbols of one loaf and one cup: token-sized breads, pre-cut wafers, sips from little chalices or thimbles with individual portions are all pointers to bad theology rather than to the Lord."
Thomas O'Loughlin, Celtic Theology: Humanity, World and God in Early Irish Writings, p. 145
And if our approach to baptism is puzzling, wait until we explain our approach to “re-baptism”, an annual rite of summer camp passage.
When I was trying to find a church, I found that I was required to be baptised every year or so by the different churches.
This question has been around since the early church. What happens when a baptised member sins? This then led to a one time absolution, and eventually indulgences.
In the 6th or 7th century, the Irish Penitentials were wrtten. Each monastic community pretty much had their own. These dealt with repentance and did include increasing pentance for repeated sins. The Irish, as did the Eastern Church, viewed sin as a treatable illness, needing the proper treatment. Unlike the Western/Latin church which came to view sin as something to be beaten out of you, as a crime to be punished.
What happens to unbaptised children led to the debate between Augustine and Pelagius on original sin. The result has been the grief of many a parent over their children going to hell because they died prior to baptism. It is a long, sad history.