In a brief dialogue with Tim Gallant regarding who can come to the table, a couple comments have been raised that need clarification. Tim mentioned to me that “the biblical solution to this inconsistency, always, is to repent of the sin and come to the Table.” His reference is to my comment that those who are inconsistent with the table and those who are consistent may come to the table. Though there may have been miscommunication or misunderstanding, for the sake of clarification I do agree with Mr. Gallant’s assessment. My point from the beginning was that the evangelical argument that if people who are committed Christians are currently “not right with God”, therefore they should avoid the bread and wine is a misunderstanding of the basic purpose of the sacrament. In my understanding (and I am sure Tim would agree) repentance is essential to the table and only those who come are those who deem it important and repent. The warning is that those who partake of the Lord’s Supper and do not acknowledge the need to repent, and furthermore persist in their inconsistency with the Christian message is already in the hands of an angry God.
The table is for those who acknowledge their inconsistency and seek a commitment to a consistent Christian life (though consistency in no way entails “perfection). Once again I thank Mr. Gallant for his helpful insights in the comments section of my blog.
