Real presence in the Lord's Supper

What it is: Lutheranism affirms that Christ is truly present in the Lord's Supper, in a true and objective way, with his body and blood given with the bread and the wine.

How the religion understands it: The tradition avoids certain scholastic terms specific to Roman Catholicism, but rejects readings that treat the Supper as a mere empty symbol. The real presence is tied to Christ's word and to the promise of the gospel.

Context: This doctrine distinguishes Lutheranism from several other Protestant branches and was one of the great controversies of the Reformation.

Supportive

1 Corinthians 10:16

bible,eucharist,lutheranism,supper

Communion in the body and blood of Christ.

Reference: 1 Corinthians 10:16.
Content: Paul speaks of participation in the body and blood of Christ through the bread and the cup.
Use in debate: It is central to Lutheran Eucharistic theology.

Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration VII

confession,supper,real-presence,lutheranism

Lutheran confessional text on the Lord's Supper.

Reference: Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration VII.
Content: The text defends Christ's real presence in the supper against interpretations considered insufficient.
Use in debate: It is a central confessional source for the Lutheran doctrine of the supper.

Matthew 26:26-28

bible,supper,real-presence,lutheranism

Words of institution of the Lord's Supper.

Reference: Matthew 26:26-28.
Content: Jesus associates the bread and the cup with his body and blood at the Last Supper.
Use in debate: It is one of the most important passages for the Lutheran doctrine of the real presence.

Contrary

Marburg (1529)

reformation,supper,luther,zwingli,protestantism

Historic debate among Reformers about the Lord's Supper.

Reference: Marburg Colloquy, 1529.
Content: The meeting exposed disagreements among Reformers about Christ's presence in the supper.
Use in debate: It is a historical landmark of Protestant diversity concerning the Eucharist.

Neutral

Marburg (1529)

reformation,supper,luther,marburg,lutheranism

Reformation debate about the Lord's Supper.

Reference: Marburg Colloquy, 1529.
Content: The meeting revealed disagreement between Luther and other Reformers about Christ's presence in the supper.
Use in debate: It is key for distinguishing the Lutheran position from other Protestant positions.