The "Lost (?) Luther Reference"

Abstract

Siegbert W. Becker critically examines the claim of a “lost” Luther quotation concerning the moment of the Real Presence in the Lord’s Supper. He argues that the reference in the Formula of Concord (FC, SD, VII, 87) to Jena Volume IV is not lost, nor does it necessarily point to Luther’s 1543 letter to Simon Wolferinus. Becker contends that the reference more likely pertains to Luther’s 1528 “Bedencken,” which clearly states that the Lord’s Supper should not be celebrated without communicants, aligning with the confessional principle that the sacrament is tied to its instituted use. He refutes interpretations that tie the Real Presence to the pastor’s recitation of the words of institution, emphasizing Luther’s rejection of speculative timing. Becker concludes that Scripture affirms the Real Presence during distribution and reception, and cautions against dogmatic assertions beyond what Christ instituted. Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).