Eucharist and Anthropology: Seeking Convergence on Eucharistic Sacrifice Between Catholics and Methodists
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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 iv 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. v For Sarah A Partner in Work, Ministry, and Life vi 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 vii 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