Eucharist and Anthropology

370 Pages·2011·1.72 MB·English

by  Stephen Sours

Eucharist and Anthropology:
Seeking Convergence on Eucharistic Sacrifice Between Catholics and Methodists

by
Stephen Bentley Sours
Graduate Program in Religion
Duke University

Date:_______________________
Approved:

___________________________
Geoffrey Wainwright, Co-Supervisor

___________________________
Reinhard Hütter, Co-Supervisor

___________________________
Randy Maddox

___________________________
Karen B. Westerfield Tucker

___________________________
Paul Griffiths

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in
the Graduate Program in Religion in the Graduate School
of Duke University

2011
ABSTRACT
Eucharist and Anthropology:
Seeking Convergence on Eucharistic Sacrifice Between Catholics and Methodists

by
Stephen Bentley Sours
Graduate Program in Religion
Duke University

Date:_______________________
Approved:

___________________________
Geoffrey Wainwright, Co-Supervisor

___________________________
Reinhard Hütter, Co-Supervisor

___________________________
Randy Maddox

___________________________
Karen B. Westerfield Tucker

___________________________
Paul Griffiths

An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate Program in
Religion in the Graduate School
of Duke University

2011
Copyright by
Stephen Bentley Sours
2011
Abstract

Eucharistic sacrifice is both a doctrine of the church and a sacramental practice.
Doctrinally, it explains in what manner the sacrament is a sacrifice, or at least its
sacrificial dimension; liturgically, it refers to the offering that is made in the church’s
celebration of the eucharist, that is, who and what is offered and by whom. Since the
Reformation, Catholics and Protestants have been divided over eucharistic sacrifice, and
for most of its history after the death of the Wesleys, Methodism somewhat uncritically
followed in the Protestant tradition. Now, after four decades of productive ecumenical
dialogue, Catholics and Methodists seek to discern the points of convergence and
divergence between them on this controversial doctrine. In short, where do Catholics and
Methodists agree and disagree on eucharistic sacrifice? This dissertation is a work of
systematic theology that draws from the insights of several related fields: liturgical
theology, historical theology, sacramental theology, ecclesiology, and ecumenism. An
investigation into what Catholics and Methodists have shared with each other to date in
ecumenical dialogue serves to elucidate the state of affairs between the two churches.
The traditioning voices of Thomas Aquinas and John Wesley provide instances of
detailed teaching on eucharistic sacrifice. Aquinas’ theology has continued to inform
Catholic teaching, while Wesley’s was largely forgotten in nineteenth century
Methodism. Wesley’s theology of eucharistic sacrifice anticipates significantly the
convergence that the liturgical and ecumenical movements have achieved on this topic
through their attention to the theology of the early church, yet only a handful of
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contemporary Methodist theologians have explored Wesley’s theology of eucharistic
sacrifice in detail, and fewer still from an ecumenical perspective. In recent decades,
Catholic and Methodist churches have circulated official teaching on eucharistic sacrifice
and made significant revisions to their eucharistic liturgies. An analysis of these texts
demonstrates how each church currently articulates its doctrine of eucharistic sacrifice
and celebrates it sacramentally. The analysis also allows for an assessment of the current
degree of convergence between the two churches on eucharistic sacrifice. The
conclusion is that, first, Methodism has begun to recover a strong doctrine of eucharistic
sacrifice, and greater attention to its Wesleyan heritage can only strengthen it further.
Second, the two churches share more on eucharistic sacrifice than is frequently
appreciated; indeed, Methodism should recognize in Catholicism a doctrine and a liturgy
with which it can fully agree. Third, eucharistic sacrifice necessitates a clearly-
formulated ecclesiology, which is a topic in the dialogues where Catholics can continue
to prompt Methodists for deeper reflection. Convergence on eucharistic sacrifice, if
recognized by both churches, would constitute a significant step forward on the path to
full communion between them.

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For Sarah

A Partner in Work, Ministry, and Life

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Contents

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................iv

Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................xi

Introduction......................................................................................................................................1

Chapter 1: Eucharistic Sacrifice in Catholic-Methodist Dialogues and BEM...............................14

Eucharistic Sacrifice in Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry.......................................................21

Catholic and Methodist Responses to BEM............................................................................32

Conclusion...............................................................................................................................46

Chapter 2: Eucharistic Sacrifice in the Theology of Thomas Aquinas..........................................49

A Recent Catholic Interpretation: Matthew Levering..............................................................52

Worship—Religion—Epistemology........................................................................................55

Priesthood and Humanity in the Sacrifice (Passion) of Christ.................................................62

Christ’s Sacrifice and the Sacraments......................................................................................70

Eucharistic Sacrifice: Sacramental Representation and Ecclesial Participation......................76

Sacramental Representation.....................................................................................................78

Ecclesial Participation..............................................................................................................85

Conclusion: Aquinas’ Theological Synthesis and Ecumenical Prospect.................................95

Chapter 3: John Wesley’s Theology of Eucharistic Sacrifice........................................................99

“The Scripture Way of Salvation”.........................................................................................104

“On Working Out Our Own Salvation”.................................................................................111

“The Means of Grace”...........................................................................................................117

“The Duty of Constant Communion”....................................................................................124

The Christian Sacrament and Sacrifice..................................................................................127

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The Lord’s Supper as it is a Sacrament..................................................................................129

Anamnesis............................................................................................................................130

Eucharistic Presence............................................................................................................136

Christ’s Self Sacrifice..........................................................................................................138

The Lord’s Supper as it is a Sacrifice....................................................................................142

Commemorative Sacrifice....................................................................................................142

Excursus: Old Testament Sacrifices and Christ’s Sacrifice.................................................143

Priesthood.............................................................................................................................150

Sacrifice of Ourselves..........................................................................................................153

Sacrifice of Our Goods........................................................................................................158

Conclusion: Participation.......................................................................................................165

Chapter 4: Eucharistic Sacrifice in the Teaching of the Catholic Church....................................169

I. The Liturgical Context of Eucharistic Sacrifice:...............................................................173

The Father and the Holy Spirit.............................................................................................173

Christ the High Priest...........................................................................................................176

The Sacramental Sacrifice...................................................................................................178

II. Papal Encyclicals..............................................................................................................185

Leo XIII, Mirae Caritatis (1902)...........................................................................................185

Pius XII, Mediator Dei (1947)...............................................................................................189

Christ’s Priesthood and the Liturgy.....................................................................................189

Eucharistic Sacrifice: Commemorative Representation and Intercession...........................193

Eucharistic Sacrifice and Self-Sacrifice...............................................................................197

Paul VI, Mysterium Fidei (1965)...........................................................................................199

Eucharistic Mystery in the Sacrifice of the Mass: Re-enactment at the Heart of Doctrine.200

Christ’s Sacramental Presence.............................................................................................200

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John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia (2003).........................................................................202

Ecclesiological and Ecumenical Dimensions of Eucharistic Sacrifice................................203

Eucharistic Sacrifice and the Mystery of Faith....................................................................206

Christ has Died….................................................................................................................208

Christ is Risen…..................................................................................................................209

Christ Will Come Again…..................................................................................................211

Self-Sacrifice and the Church’s Sacrifice............................................................................212

III. Sacrifice in the Eucharistic Prayers.................................................................................213

The Preface/Thanksgiving, Post-Sanctus, Intercessions......................................................219

Institution Narrative and Consecration................................................................................224

Anamnesis............................................................................................................................228

Offering................................................................................................................................230

Conclusion.............................................................................................................................238

Chapter 5: Eucharistic Sacrifice in Methodist Teaching..............................................................241

After Wesley: Eucharistic Sacrifice in the Sunday Service...................................................245

Eucharistic Sacrifice: from the Sunday Service (1784) to Liturgical Renewal (1970s)........252

British Methodism...............................................................................................................253

American Methodism...........................................................................................................260

Eucharistic Sacrifice in Contemporary Methodism: Liturgical and Sacramental Renewal...268

Methodist Church Eucharistic Liturgies: 1975 and 1999......................................................271

The Methodist Service Book (1975)....................................................................................271

The Methodist Worship Book (1999)..................................................................................280

The United Methodist Great Thanksgiving: 1970-1989........................................................287

Eucharistic Sacrifice in Contemporary Methodist Hymnody: Hymns and Psalms (1983), The
United Methodist Hymnal (1989), The Faith We Sing (2000, Hymnal supplement)............302

Eucharistic Sacrifice in Authorized Methodist Conference Documents................................310

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His Presence Makes the Feast..............................................................................................313

This Holy Mystery...............................................................................................................319

Methodist Reception and Ecumenical Engagement: Assessment and Prospects...................327

Eucharistic Sacrifice: Methodism’s Reception of Its Doctrine............................................328

Eucharistic Sacrifice: Methodism’s Ecumenical Engagement with Catholicism................333

Bibliography.................................................................................................................................339

Biography.....................................................................................................................................358


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