Protestantism

» Brian Tubbs - Washington and Communion

We're way off topic here, but oh well, what else is new?

As to Washington, it's agreed that he frequently (most of the time, in fact) skipped Communion from the Revolutionary War period onward - including during his presidency. I'm not disputing that. What Lillback points out is that it's an incorrect exaggeration to say that he "NEVER" took Communion after the Revolution - which is what several biographers have asserted.

But on Washington's skipping of Communion, there are several possible explanations - only ONE of which involves a questioning of his faith. The most likely explanation for GW's skipping Communion during the Revolution is that he was uncomfortable taking Communion from the official Church of England. During the Revolutionary period, the Anglicans in the U.S. separated and became Episcopalians, of course, and it appears he did - occasionally - take Communion after that.

Another possibility (also a very compelling one) is that GW became LESS committed to strict Anglican/Episcopalian denominational lines after the split with England. From the Revolutionary period onward, Washington entertained friendships with and attended services under clergy from other denominations. (There's even a rumor - unsubstantiated, of course - that he became a Baptist during the war).

Last, Washington may have avoided Communion because of sin in his life. Paul talks about examining oneself to see if you are worthy to partake of the Lord's Table. Perhaps GW felt guilty over some sin (infatuation with Sally Fairfax? slavery? who knows?). There IS some indication that GW, during the Revolutionary period, really began to wrestle with slavery.

I don't know why GW's custom of taking Communion became much less frequent during the Revolutionary period (and continued to be infrequent thereafter). But to jump from that historical fact to concluding he was a "Deist" is too far of a leap. The evidence doesn't support that.