Among these charges is that Melanchthon denied the Real Presence and became Reformed on the Supper. Others state that he became a “receptionist,” limiting the real presence to the moment of reception. It is important to note, however, that there are scholars who stand outside of this apparent consensus. In his biographical sketch of Melanchthon, Dr. Scott Keith notes that it is very difficult to prove these charges from Melanchthon’s dogmatic/theological writings. A rousing defense of Philip comes from a lecture given at Concordia Seminary Fort Wayne back in 1988 by the late Lowell C. Green. Elsewhere, Green has noted that Article VII of the Formula of Concord really is a compromise between Melanchthon’s and Luther’s views. I myself would like to read Melanchthon as charitably as possible.
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In the wake of Adolf Hitler’s ascension to power on January 30, 1933, as German pastors and theologians began to realize the dangers of National Socialism, one of the principal reforms Confessing Church leaders advocated was weekly celebrations of Holy Communion in the divine services on Sunday mornings. This marked a significant change from previous practice. By the turn of the century in Europe and North America, most Protestant churches had long since given up celebrating Holy Communion on a weekly basis, relegating the Sacrament to only a few times a year.
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Christ, in whom alone is our righteousness before God, not only makes us just from without, but personally comes and dwells within us. He simultaneously stands before the Father as our head, our representative, our mediator, our Savior, and sits with us in our struggles, our sufferings, and our daily failures and sins. He never ceases being our mediator before God, and he never leaves us personally stranded like sheep without a shepherd. We are declared righteous due solely to what Christ has done for us on our behalf, and we are daily renewed and strengthened as Christ is in us and is leading us toward that celestial city at the end of this often painful and difficult life.
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