Articles in Question: Article 29 and the Doctrine of the Real Presence in the Church of England

XXIX. Of the Wicked which eat not the Body of Christ in the use of the Lord’s Supper.

The Wicked, and such as be void of a lively faith, although they do carnally and visibly press with their teeth (as St. Augustine saith) the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, yet in no wise are they partakers of Christ: but rather, to their condemnation, do eat and drink the sign or Sacrament of so great a thing.

This is undoubtedly one of the more "controversial" of the Articles (considering it was initially left out of the first version in 1561, because of what it implies in relation to the doctrine of the real presence). Often times this article is ripped out of context so as to discredit it against the other teaching regarding the Lord's Supper in the Prayer Book and Articles. However, the article in question makes perfect sense when read with the other articles and in fact, logically must follow, if we believe Article 28 to be truthful in its teaching (which we do). Browne asserts that there are only two possible meanings of the text, "There are but two possible views of the question. Either the wicked and unbelieving do not eat Christ’s Body and Blood, but only their sacred symbols; or they eat the Body and Blood, but to condemnation, not to salvation. The former alternative has generally been held, in latter times, by the advocates of a spiritual feeding; the latter, by the believers in transubstantiation, and, I suppose, by most believers in consubstantiation." The question then remains, which view does the Article preceding adopt? To read more, click here.

A thoughtful and scholarly article on the Articles of Religion and the doctrine of the Real Presence.