Toward a Renewed Theology and Practice of Confirmation
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Toward a Renewed Theology and Practice of Confirmation by Charles Pierson Shaw A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the University of St. Michael’s College and the Theology Department of the Toronto School of Theology In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael's College © Copyright by C. Pierson Shaw, Jr. 2015 Toward a Renewed Theology and Practice of Confirmation C. Pierson Shaw, Jr Doctor of Philosophy in Theology Degree University of St. Michael’s College 2015 Abstract Confirmation has often been viewed as a rite in need of a theology. Whether it is understood as a sacrament within Roman Catholicism or a reaffirmation of Baptism in Protestant denominations, there is no clear command in the New Testament directing the Church to confirm its baptized members. A commonly held view is that Confirmation developed in the Western Church from a gradual separation of handlaying and chrismation from the baptismal washing. This dissertation, while reflecting the author’s Lutheran context and convictions, seeks to make an original contribution towards the renewal of the theology and practice of Confirmation. It begins by suggesting Biblical images from Scripture which, while not commanding that the Church confirm, may nevertheless inform the practice and the theology of the rite. Next, it undertakes a comprehensive examination of the history of the development of Confirmation in the West by reviewing the relevant historical, theological and liturgical sources in order to offer new insights on older commonly held assumptions. It then suggests new perspectives by both Catholics and Protestants concerning a broader Sacramental economy which, through ecumenical dialogue, the Church’s Western traditions might come to welcome and appreciate more fully the role of Confirmation in the Church’s life and ministry. This is supported by an examination of a wide range of contemporary ii Roman Catholic and Protestant rites of Baptism and Confirmation which, even in their diversity, point to significant degrees of common understanding. Thus, by more deeply appreciating the theology from previous centuries concerning the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, it may be hoped that both Protestants and Roman Catholics might not only mutually recognize Baptism, but also Confirmation in each other’s churches. And as members are mutually recognized as being fully incorporated into the “Apostolate of the Laity,” this project offers new opportunities which might eventually make possible the joint mutual reception of members at the Sacrament of the Holy Communion. To this end, this dissertation also offers suggestions which might be utilized in ecumenical dialogue. In short, a renewed theology and practice of Confirmation can offer a concrete ecumenical step towards greater catholicity in the Church. iii Acknowledgments My Ph.D. studies which have culminated in this dissertation would have been impossible without the care, devotion, and love of my wife, Karen Foil Russ Shaw who has spent countless hours proofreading and offering constructive comments to help me to make for smoother reading of my manuscripts, papers and articles during the course of my advanced degree studies. In addition, our daughters Sarah Grace Russ and Taylor Jeanette Russ along with Karen were willing to relocate to Toronto from our home in North Carolina in order that I might pursue my doctoral studies at the Toronto School of Theology in the University of Toronto. Without their help and the financial assistance of my parents Maude and C.P. who supported from a distance my entire foray into college, seminary and advanced degree work, these endeavors would have been impossible. Out of a huge sense of gratitude I would like to thank Betty Lohr for devoting her gifts as a career teacher, who proofread the manuscript of this text. My friend and advisor William Kervin has also spent untold numbers of hours in reading my manuscript for this dissertation and offering thoughtful and insightful suggestions lending a smoother and clearer reading to these chapters. He had the yeoman’s task of assuming the duties of directing this dissertation at the untimely death of Margaret O’Gara. It was Margaret whose work led me to apply and enter the PhD Program in Systematic Theology at the University of St. Michael’s College. Her devotion to the ecumenical endeavor and passion for theology has guided so many of those who were proud to have called her our teacher and mentor. Her gifts to the Roman Catholic Church, and to the dream that we might all be one in faithfulness to our Lord’s “high priestly prayer” continue to be her lasting legacy to the whole Church. iv I am especially grateful to Joseph Mangina for serving on my dissertation committee, and others who have been my teachers during the time of my enrollment at the Toronto School of Theology in the University of Toronto. Joseph Mangina and Gill Goulding have all been my teachers and have also been willing to serve on my examination committee along with Jaroslav Skira. In addition to these, I have benefited from having had Ephraim Radner, Christian McConnell, Pablo Argárate, John Dadosky and Gilles Mongeau as teachers. I was especially grateful to Gilles for guiding the work of my Licentiate in Sacred Theology which was conferred to me by Regis College. In addition I have benefited from the guidance of Michael Bourgeois and Charles Fensham, particularly in the early part of my doctoral studies. While I have needed to be on leave from parish ministry my Bishop, The Rev. Dr. Leonard H. Bolick, Bishop of the North Carolina Synod has graciously requested an initial leave as well as an extension of my on leave from call. I want to thank the NC Synod Council for granting these requests from Bishop Bolick which has afforded me the opportunity to pursue my studies while not endangering the loss of my ordained rostered status in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In addition to my other teachers, a great deal of thanks goes to Michael Root, David Yeago and Robert Hawkins who guided me through my Master’s thesis at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina. Special thanks are due to The Rev. C. Daniel Crews, Archivist for the Southern Province Moravian Archives in the Archie K. Davis Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His time, his proficiency in the Czech language, and his assistance in compiling a number of sources have enabled me to include the Moravian tradition in this dissertation. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank three other persons involved in media research. v Manda Vrkljan who is the Kelly Library Article Coordinator. Manda spent numerous hours in her work with the Kelly Library at the University of St. Michael’s College, in obtaining articles and sections of printed materials and making them available to me by way of email. Another is Debbie Lineberger from whom I was always able to request articles and materials from at the Lineberger Library at Lutheran Theologial Southern Seminary. There is Martin Otts a research librarian at the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library of Hickory, North Carolina whom I called upon continually to obtain manuscripts and materials through interlibrary loan. Finally, there were the catechism students whom I have had the privelelge of teaching and preparting for Confirmation during my time as a seminarian, internship and as a parish pastor under call as as an Interim Pastor. For all of these: Ad honorum et ad memoriam soli Deo Gloria et memiens quoniam Dominus Iesus “dixit ergo eis iterum pax vobis sicut misit me Pater et ego mitto vos hoc cum dixisset insuflavit et dicit eis accipite Spiritum Sanctum.” (Jn 20:21-22) vi Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowlegements .......................................................................................................................... iv Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................ xi List of Appendices ........................................................................................................................ xv Chapter 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2 The Witness of Scripture ................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Rationale for Beginning with the Scriptures ......................................................................... 5 2.2 Texts related to the work of the Holy Spirit .......................................................................... 7 2.3 Blessing and the Gesture of Handlaying ............................................................................. 11 2.4 Anointing with Oil and Marking ......................................................................................... 19 2.5 Profession of Faith .............................................................................................................. 22 2.6 Conclusions on the Witness of the Scriptures ..................................................................... 24 Chapter 3 Development and Early History of a Separated Rite ................................................... 28 3.1 Methodology of Study ........................................................................................................