From the beginning, Calvin was insistent that the Lord’s Supper be a weekly observance in the churches in Geneva. In Calvin’s own words, “Jesus did not institute it to be remembered only two or three times a year but as a constant exercising of our faith and love in which the congregation should engage every time it meets. The admonition of the mass has led to decline from the original use. ”
Posted by tripp at February 13, 2008 05:27 AMWhere is that found?
Posted by: Jorge Sanchez at February 13, 2008 07:48 AMNice
Posted by: justin at February 13, 2008 08:39 AMAs I understand it the Protestants did try and have it every week so it wasn't so much their hatred of the Mass - which they were full of - that 'led to decline from the original use' but despite the changes in teaching and practice the people kept the mediæval habit of only receiving about four times a year. 'Fine!' said the Protestants, who because they didn't believe in the Mass didn't believe in a Communion service without the laity receiving. 'We'll only have it quarterly.'
Posted by: The young fogey at February 13, 2008 10:22 AMYF, don't conflate the followers of Zwingli with all Protestants. In short Zwingli got to Geneva before Calvin did. Luther and Calvin bother were for frequent (constant?) celebration of the Eucharist.
Jorge, I got it from a book by Barth, The Theology of John Calvin p. 265...I'll have to look up the source from there later on. Likely it's from a 1537 letter to Farel, but I'll have to check.
Justin, one hopes.
Posted by: Tripp at February 13, 2008 10:36 AM