DOCSLIB.ORG

Descartes and Pascal on the Eucharist

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Descartes and Pascal on the Eucharist Descartes and Pascal on the Eucharist Vlad Alexandrescu University of Bucharest Within Descartes’ philosophy, the problem of the Eucharist provides scholars the occasion to investigate a nexus of questions belonging to different domains of his thought. In taking up this problem, about which there has been much written in the past few decades (see the bibliography below), I hope ªrst of all to discern some order in the texts themselves, as well also as in their various interpretations, and then, from there, to propose a new perspective. Historians of ideas have seen in the explanation of the Eucharist a problem that preoccupied Descartes as early as 1630 and that continued to be treated by him until very late in his correspondence, as the last mention of the question dates from 1648. I will start by giving here a brief historical sketch of the places in the Cartesian corpus that take up this question di- rectly or that are related to it in some way or another. 1) A ªrst mention of the Eucharist, in the context of developing a the- ory of colors; a) a letter to Marin Mersenne, 25 novembre 1630, AT I, 179 2) A “dossier” in Descartes’ correspondence at the time of the debate that followed the publication of the Discourse on Method and of the Essays, where one can ªnd a rather general and allusive concern with the fact that Cartesian philosophy is in fact capable of “supporting” faith and of “explaining” Transubstantiation, and therefore capable of furnishing arguments against the Calvinists. I would like to express my gratitude to Justin E. H. Smith and to Lucian Petrescu for hav- ing translated this paper from the French. Perspectives on Science 2007, vol. 15, no. 4 ©2007 by The Massachusetts Institute of Technology 434 Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/posc.2007.15.4.434 by guest on 03 October 2021 Perspectives on Science 435 a) a letter to François Fournet, October 1636, AT I, 456 b) a letter to Antoine Vatier, February 1638, AT I, 564 3) A few records of ongoing work, after the publication of the Medita- tions and during the writing of the Principles of philosophy, in 1641 a) a letter to Mersenne, January 1641, AT III, 296 4) The “dossier” of the Replies, 1641–1642 a) a letter to Mersenne of 18 March 1641, AT III, 340 b) a letter to Mersenne of 31 March 1641, AT III, 349 c) the Fourth Replies, entirely published only by the Latin edition of 1642 and by Claude Clerselier’s translation into French from 1647 d) the Sixth Replies, starting with the edition of 1641 5) The “Mesland ªle,” that is, the correspondence of Descartes with the Jesuit Father Denis Mesland in 1644–1646 a) to Mesland, 2 May 1644, AT IV, 119–120 b) to Mesland, 8 (9?) February 1645, letter not sent, AT IV, 169 c) to Mesland, May 1645?, AT IV, 216 6) A subsequent ªle, composed of some other letters dated from 1646– 1648: a) to Clerselier, 2 March 1646, AT IV, 372–373 b) to an unknown correspondent, AT IV, 374–375 c) to Clerselier? AT IV, 741–747, see Pierre Costabel’s note, pp. 744–747 d) to Arnauld, 1648, AT V, 184. Some scholars have suggested that Descartes’ returning to the problem at various times is an indication of variability in Descartes’ treatment of the Eucharist (Watson 1987). For my part, it seems that we may take for granted that Descartes formulated early enough a theory of the Eucharist that would be in simultaneous agreement with both his physics and his metaphysics.1 It has often been said that in the seventeenth century the ex- planation of the Eucharist was a validation test of the metaphysics of an author.2 However, it also seems clear to me that Descartes used this theory at three different and distinct points in the elaboration of his philosophy. 1. Ariew (1999b, 153) thinks Descartes would have elaborated this theory prior to the Replies to Arnauld. 2. Redondi 1985. In Descartes’ case: “The only point to which I must reply concerns the publication of my Physics and Metaphysics. I can tell you brieºy that I desire it as much or more than anyone, but only under certain conditions, without which I would be foolish to desire it. I will say also that I do not fear at all, basically, that they contain anything against faith. On the contrary, I am vain enough to think that faith has never been so strongly supported by human arguments as it may be if my principles are adopted. Tran- Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/posc.2007.15.4.434 by guest on 03 October 2021 436 Descartes and Pascal on the Eucharist The ªrst point, connected with the theory of colors, is the conclusion that consists in saying that secondary qualities do not have their basis in the physical body, but rather in human perception of this body. Color, in particular, no longer belongs to bodies as a secondary quality, but is rather produced by the various ways in which bodies receive light and reºect it through the medium of subtle matter towards our eyes (Dioptrique, I, AT VI, 85, Météores, AT VI, 233). From this point of view, the persistence of “the whiteness of the bread in the Blessed Sacrament,” seems to be used as an argument in support of Descartes’ new theory of colors (Descartes to Mersenne, 25 November 1630, AT I, 179). The second point is a theory of the perception that we have of physical bodies, whether the body in question is an inanimate body or the body of a man is considered as an external body. It is here that Descartes develops his distinction between the body and the surface of the body, a distinction that permits him to develop a theory of the individuation and the identity of physical bodies. Surfaces are the forms through which bodies can be separated the one from the other, but they do not in any way guarantee the identity of any one body through time. At the moment of consecration, the host becomes the body of Christ; at the moment of death, the body of a human individual becomes a simple inanimate body. In the two cases, the surface remains the same, but the identity of the body changes. To the question of identity—which we might formulate as follows: what is it that makes one body the same from one moment to the next?—we might offer the two following responses: from an ontological point of view, it is God who sees to the body’s conservation, but from the point of view of knowledge of this body, it is the perception of the body as the same body by the thinking subject.3 In this connection, the explanation of the Eucha- rist, like the explanation of the piece of wax, serves as a tool by means of which Descartes relativizes knowledge of the world through the senses, and proposes a sort of metaphysical ‘insurance’ for physics, as well as a mo- dus operandi that is geometrical.4 The third point is what I have elsewhere called as a theory of the union of the soul and the body in general (Alexandrescu 2003a). Formulated in substantiation, in particular, which the Calvinists regard as impossible to explain by the ordinary philosophy, is very easily explained by mine,” Descartes to Vatier, 22 February 1638, AT I, 564; “. but if there is ever any question of that, I am conªdent I can show that none of the tenets of their philosophy accords with the Faith so well as my doctrines,” Descartes to Mersenne, 31 March 1641, AT III, 349, etc. 3. Besides the well known exemple of the wax from the Meditatio II, see also the end of Descartes’ letter to Xxxx, AT IV, 375. 4. For my account of individuation in Descartes, see Alexandrescu 2003b. Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/posc.2007.15.4.434 by guest on 03 October 2021 Perspectives on Science 437 the most comprehensive way, this theory would take into account the manner in which the thinking substance is united to the extended sub- stance. The union of the soul and the body in general depends on one of the attributes of mind, namely the power that makes the mind exercises its functions5 in matter. We easily recognize in this exercise a form of ac- tion that ºows from the fundamentally active character of the mind. This operation of the mind in matter can take forms as different the one from the other as creation, conservation (for God), the motion of bodies accord- ing to the laws of nature, the motion of the soul communicated to the body itself according to the speciªcally human faculty of sensation or pas- sions (which is different from the faculty of animals), according to the fac- ulty of memory or of imagination, or, ªnally, according to the faculty of the intellect, which, through will, dictates to the body itself the manner of its motion in the course of its quest for the sovereign good. But nothing prevents us from thinking, in certain cases, of the action of the mind upon matter in a still broader sense, as a union, without the pineal gland, and thus without sensation, passions, even without memory or imagination, according as the pure understanding requires, which in a very strict way imposes its rule for the motion of any body to which it is united.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Sacramental Presence in Lutheran Orthodoxy
    CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL QUARTERLY APRIL 1986 Catholicity and Catholicism . .Avery DuIles 81 The !baamental Presence in Luthetrin Orthodoxy. .Eugene F. Klug 95 Toward a New -ran I,ognWics . .Lawell C. Gnxn 109 The Curious Histories of the Wittenberg Concord . .James M. Kittelson with Ken Schurb 119 The Sacramental Presence in Lutheran Orthodoxy Eugene E Klug For Luther the doctrine of the Real Presence was one of the crucial issues of the Reformation. There is no way of understand- ing what went on in the years following his death, particularly in the lives and theology of the orthodox teachers of the Lutheran church, unless the platform on which Luther stood is clearly recog- nized. Luther had gone to the Marburg colioquy of 1529 with minimal expectations. In later years he reflected on the outcome of that discussion with Zwingli, noting that in spite of everything there had been considerable convergence except on the presence of Christ's body and blood in the Sacrament. These thoughts are contained in his BriefCor&ssionconcerning the Holy Sacmment of 1544. "With considerable hope we departed from Marburg:' Luther comments, "because they agreed to all the Christian articles of the faith:' and even "in this article of the holy sacrament they also abandoned their previous error" (that it was merely bread), and "it seemed as if they would in time share our point of view altogether!" This result was not to be, as history records. With all the might that was in him Luther protested loudly throughout his life against any diminution of Christ's body and blood in the Sacrament.' Probably none of Luther's works played as large a role as did his famous "Great Confession" of 1528, the Co~kssionconcerning Christ's Supper.
    [Show full text]
  • Dositheos Notaras, the Patriarch of Jerusalem (1669-1707), Confronts the Challenges of Modernity
    IN SEARCH OF A CONFESSIONAL IDENTITY: DOSITHEOS NOTARAS, THE PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM (1669-1707), CONFRONTS THE CHALLENGES OF MODERNITY A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BY Christopher George Rene IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Adviser Theofanis G. Stavrou SEPTEMBER 2020 © Christopher G Rene, September 2020 i Acknowledgements Without the steadfast support of my teachers, family and friends this dissertation would not have been possible, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to express my deep debt of gratitude and thank them all. I would like to thank the members of my dissertation committee, who together guided me through to the completion of this dissertation. My adviser Professor Theofanis G. Stavrou provided a resourceful outlet by helping me navigate through administrative channels and stay on course academically. Moreover, he fostered an inviting space for parrhesia with vigorous dialogue and intellectual tenacity on the ideas of identity, modernity, and the role of Patriarch Dositheos. It was in fact Professor Stavrou who many years ago at a Slavic conference broached the idea of an Orthodox Commonwealth that inspired other academics and myself to pursue the topic. Professor Carla Phillips impressed upon me the significance of daily life among the people of Europe during the early modern period (1450-1800). As Professor Phillips’ teaching assistant for a number of years, I witnessed lectures that animated the historical narrative and inspired students to question their own unique sense of historical continuity and discontinuities. Thank you, Professor Phillips, for such a pedagogical example.
    [Show full text]
  • History of the Christian Church*
    a Grace Notes course History of the Christian Church VOLUME 5. The Middle Ages, the Papal Theocracy in Conflict with the Secular Power from Gregory VII to Boniface VIII, AD 1049 to 1294 By Philip Schaff CH512 Chapter 12: Scholastic and Mystic Theology History of the Christian Church Volume 5 The Middle Ages, the Papal Theocracy in Conflict with the Secular Power from Gregory VII to Boniface VIII, AD 1049 to 1294 CH512 Table of Contents Chapter 12. Scholastic and Mystic Theology .................................................................................2 5.95. Literature and General Introduction ......................................................................................... 2 5.96. Sources and Development of Scholasticism .............................................................................. 4 5.97. Realism and Nominalism ........................................................................................................... 6 5.98. Anselm of Canterbury ................................................................................................................ 7 5.99. Peter Abelard ........................................................................................................................... 12 5.100. Abelard’s Teachings and Theology ........................................................................................ 18 5.101. Younger Contemporaries of Abelard ..................................................................................... 21 5.102. Peter the Lombard and the Summists
    [Show full text]
  • The Catholic Doctrine of Transubstantiation Is Perhaps the Most Well Received Teaching When It Comes to the Application of Greek Philosophy
    Bucknell University Bucknell Digital Commons Honors Theses Student Theses 2010 The aC tholic Doctrine of Transubstantiation: An Exposition and Defense Pat Selwood Bucknell University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/honors_theses Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Selwood, Pat, "The aC tholic Doctrine of Transubstantiation: An Exposition and Defense" (2010). Honors Theses. 11. https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/honors_theses/11 This Honors Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Theses at Bucknell Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Theses by an authorized administrator of Bucknell Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My deepest appreciation and gratitude goes out to those people who have given their support to the completion of this thesis and my undergraduate degree on the whole. To my close friends, Carolyn, Joseph and Andrew, for their great friendship and encouragement. To my advisor Professor Paul Macdonald, for his direction, and the unyielding passion and spirit that he brings to teaching. To the Heights, for the guidance and inspiration they have brought to my faith: Crescite . And lastly, to my parents, whose love, support, and sacrifice have given me every opportunity to follow my dreams. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction………………………………..………………………………………………1 Preface: Explanation of Terms………………...………………………………………......5 Chapter One: Historical Analysis of the Doctrine…………………………………...……9
    [Show full text]
  • The Development of Marian Doctrine As
    INTERNATIONAL MARIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON, OHIO in affiliation with the PONTIFICAL THEOLOGICAL FACULTY MARIANUM ROME, ITALY By: Elizabeth Marie Farley The Development of Marian Doctrine as Reflected in the Commentaries on the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-5) by the Latin Fathers and Pastoral Theologians of the Church From the Fourth to the Seventeenth Century A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate in Sacred Theology with specialization in Marian Studies Director: Rev. Bertrand Buby, S.M. Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute University of Dayton 300 College Park Dayton, OH 45469-1390 2013 i Copyright © 2013 by Elizabeth M. Farley All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America Nihil obstat: François Rossier, S.M., STD Vidimus et approbamus: Bertrand A. Buby S.M., STD – Director François Rossier, S.M., STD – Examinator Johann G. Roten S.M., PhD, STD – Examinator Thomas A. Thompson S.M., PhD – Examinator Elio M. Peretto, O.S.M. – Revisor Aristide M. Serra, O.S.M. – Revisor Daytonesis (USA), ex aedibus International Marian Research Institute, et Romae, ex aedibus Pontificiae Facultatis Theologicae Marianum, die 22 Augusti 2013. ii Dedication This Dissertation is Dedicated to: Father Bertrand Buby, S.M., The Faculty and Staff at The International Marian Research Institute, Father Jerome Young, O.S.B., Father Rory Pitstick, Joseph Sprug, Jerome Farley, my beloved husband, and All my family and friends iii Table of Contents Prėcis.................................................................................. xvii Guidelines........................................................................... xxiii Abbreviations...................................................................... xxv Chapter One: Purpose, Scope, Structure and Method 1.1 Introduction...................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Systematic Theology : a Series of Questions Upon the Lectures
    SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY: A SERIES OF QUESTIONS UPON THE LECTURES DELIVERED TO THE STUDENTS IN PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, BY THE Rev. CHARLES HODGE, D.D. EDITED BY A MEMBER OF THE SENIOR CLASS, AND PRINTED FOR THE USE OF THE STUDENTS. PHILADELPHIA. 1865. Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1865, By Eev. FEEDERICK H. WINES, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. PRINTEn BY ALFRED MARTIEN, PHir.APEI.PHlA. tv Srom i^ &t6targ of (J0equeaf0eb fig ^tm fo t^ feiBrarg of (Princeton C^cofo^icaf ^eminarj? Br PREFACE Dr. Hodge's method of teaching theology to the students in the Theological Seminary at Princeton is by manu- script lectures, which he reads to the successive classes. The questions printed in this volume are his own ques- tions upon his own lectures, and furnish a general but not an exhaustive view of the course of study pursued in his department. They have been arranged for publica- tion, (by authority of the Senior Class,) and appropriate headings added to them, in such a manner as to indicate to the eye the analysis of the subject, by one of the stu- dents, with Dr. Hodge's consent, but without his super- vision or revision. Whatever of defect there may be in the arrangement is due to the compiler. At present Dr. Hodge is engaged in rewriting his entire course of lectures, and has progressed as far as the subject of Original Sin. Up to this point, the questions are upon the new course.
    [Show full text]
  • Modern Times History of the Catholic Church Iii A
    FRATERNITAS TRIUM CORDIUM LIBRARY MODERN TIMES HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH III A. D. 1517-1914 HISTORICAL SERIES VOLUME III History of the Catholic Church III: Modern Times: A. D. 1517-1914 Herman Wedewer & Joseph McSorley 1918 Fraternitas Trium Cordium Library - Historical Series, Volume 3 Original: Wedewer, H. & McSorley, J. (1918). A Short History of the Catholic Church , 4th Edition. B. Herder Book Company. This 2019 e-edition is a work of the Fraternitas Trium Cordium. FRATERNITAS TRIUM CORDIUM https://triumcordium.com/ 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS. PERIOD I. (A. D. 1517-1789): FROM LUTHER’S REVOLT TO THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Chapter I. General View Chapter II. Protestantism Art. 1. Luther’s Outbreak Art. 2. Progress of Protestantism in Germany Art. 3. Switzerland Art. 4. France Art. 5. England Art. 6. Ireland Art. 7. Scotland Art. 8. The Netherlands Art. 9. Other Countries Art. 10. Summary Chapter III. The Catholic Church Art. 1. The Catholic Revival Art. 2. The Religious Orders Art. 3. The Jesuits Art. 4. Theology and Catholic Practice Chapter IV. Religious Discords Art. 1 The Thirty Years’ War 2 Art. 2. Theological Errors Art. 3. Eighteenth Century Philosophy Chapter V, Foreign Missions in Africa and Asia Art. 1. The New Movement Art. 2. Africa Art. 3. Asia Chapter VI. Foreign Missions in America Art. 1. The Norse Settlements Art. 2. The Portuguese Settlements Art. 3. The Spanish Settlements in Central and South America Art. 4. The Spanish Settlements in Mexico and the Southern United States Art. 5. The French Settlements Art. 6. The British Settlements PERIOD II. (A.
    [Show full text]
  • Calvin's Doctrine of the Lord's Supper
    Perichoresis Volume 10. Issue 2 (2012): 137-163 DOI 10.2478/v10297-012-0007-3 CALVIN’S DOCTRINE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER * WIM JANSE Free University of Amsterdam ABSTRACT. In order to pinpoint its proprium , it is necessary to understand John Calvin’s Eu- charistic theology within the wider context of the intra-Protestant debates of his time. As a se- cond-generation Reformer, Calvin developed his ideas explicitly in reaction to and as a middle way between the Lutheran and Swiss Reformed discussions of the 1520’s. To that end this es- say first focuses on the main developments from the Middle Ages onwards, and then presents Calvin from the perspective of the positions taken up by some of his contemporaries, in parti- cular Philipp Melanchthon. Next, some representative texts written by Calvin himself are ana- lysed. Although Calvin’s Eucharistic views were not from the beginning a coherent and unified doctrine but developed only gradually, they may be described in a systematic-synthetic way. With respect to the matter of closed, open, and frequent communion, it is observed that for Calvin a regular celebration is essential to the deepening of the believer’s union with Christ. KEY WORDS: John Calvin, the Lord’s Supper, Eucharistic theology, Reformed sacramentolo- gy, communion Introduction Calvin’s doctrine of the Lord’s Supper is not just any chapter from Calvin’s theology. 1 In his Eucharistic theology we touch upon the core of Calvin’s thought. This is true not only for Calvin, but for all major sixteenth-century * WIM JANSE is professor of historical theology and dean of the Faculty of Theology wi- thin the Free University of Amsterdam.
    [Show full text]
  • EVANGELICAL DICTIONARY of THEOLOGY
    EVANGELICAL DICTIONARY of THEOLOGY THIRD EDITION Edited by DANIEL J. TREIER and WALTER A. ELWELL K Daniel J. Treier and Walter A. Elwell, eds., Evangelical Dictionary of Theology Baker Academic, a division of Baker Publishing Group, © 1984, 2001, 2017. Used by permission. _Treier_EvangelicalDicTheo_book.indb 3 8/17/17 2:57 PM 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 3rd edition General Editors: Daniel J. Treier and Walter A. Elwell Advisory Editors: D. Jeffrey Bingham, Cheryl Bridges Johns, John G. Stackhouse Jr., Tite Tiénou, and Kevin J. Vanhoozer © 1984, 2001, 2017 by Baker Publishing Group Published by Baker Academic a division of Baker Publishing Group P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516–6287 www.bakeracademic.com Printed in the United States of America All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Treier, Daniel J., 1972– editor. | Elwell, Walter A., editor. Title: Evangelical dictionary of theology / edited by Daniel J. Treier, Walter A. Elwell. Description: Third edition. | Grand Rapids, MI : Baker Academic, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2017. Identifiers: LCCN 2017027228 | ISBN 9780801039461 (cloth : alk. paper) Subjects: LCSH: Theology—Dictionaries. Classification: LCC BR95 .E87 2017 | DDC 230/.0462403—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017027228 Unless otherwise labeled, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®.
    [Show full text]
  • NDICE February 2020
    FEBRUARY 2020 VOLUME 4 • NO. 3 N.D.I.C.E. CONFERENCE OFFICERS Promoting the Continuing Education of Deacons “You are Not Alone” CountdownConference to the By Rev. Walter Kedjierski, Ph.D ell the ‘Ides’ of March Ware certainly right Henry J (Hank) Babin around the corner. As Executive Secretary we progress through this short period of ‘Ordinary 4460 Miranda Drive Time’ and the ‘Hope’ it Olive Branch, MS 38654 John Fridley represents, let us take 901-487-7080 (C) pause and count the many President [email protected] blessings our Lord has 997 Country Lakes Drive bestowed on us. New Baden, IL 62265 As I read through the articles we have in this issue, I 618-558-4805 (H) 618-830-0334 (C) couldn’t help but think how similar the ‘Five Pillars’ of faith Joe Standridge and prayer, observed by our Muslim brothers and sisters, [email protected] Recording Secretary are to our Catholic tradition of Liturgy of the Hours. We are all struggling. Recall, Dcn Jamison’s first article 5916 Parkplace Dr. (Oct 2019) on the ‘real presence’ indicated 73 % of Argyle, TX 76226 Catholics interviewed believed the Body and Blood of Max Roadruck nce a newly ordained priest dealt do I do?” Then she said it, “You were 94-600-0846 Christ presented at Mass, are just symbols. His current with a very challenging situation. President Elect O there, father. That’s all that matters, you [email protected] article provides us a further explanation of the presence He was called to the scene where a were there.” 330 Chatham Drive of Christ.
    [Show full text]
  • Io Theological MOD Bly
    Concoll()io Theological MOD bly MAY • 195 2 Concoll()io Theolog ical Monthly VOL. XXIII MAY 1952 NO.5 The Relation of the Liturgy to the Word By H. Richard Klann HE essential aim of this investigation is not merely the his­ T torical delineation of liturgical practices, nor the consideration of liturgical minutiae in their historical setting and develop­ ment, nor the establishment of a theological basis against liturgical innovations, but rather to state the Lutheran principles by which a pastor will be able to judge the relation of the liturgy to the proclamation of the Word in the worship of a congregation. The term liturgy was taken over from the French litttrgie, which is derived, respectively, from the medieval Latin term litttrgia and the Greek leitourgia. Originally it denoted any rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship. In the modern sense it refers gen­ erally to the public rites and services of the Christian Church. Specifically, it means (a) the Eucharistic rite, called the Liturgy (also Divine Litttrgy) in the Eastern Church, and the Mass in the Western Church; (b) the Eucharistic rite in any of its historical forms, the Roman, the Lutheran, or the Anglican liturgy. For the purpose of this investigation the term Word shall refer to the revelation of God to man, whether it be read or proclaimed in a sermon, discourse, or lecture, with the understanding that Lu­ therans recognize no other "Word" than that which the Scriptures exhibit. The Word is, of course, a part of the formal worship of the Church, and, in this respect, its relationship to the liturgy can be traced historically in the usage of the Church.
    [Show full text]
  • Pentecostal Aspects of Early Sixteenth Century Anabaptism
    PENTECOSTAL ASPECTS OF EARLY SIXTEENTH CENTURY ANABAPTISM By CHARLES HANNON BYRD II A thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Theology and Religion School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion College of Arts and Law University of Birmingham September 2009 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. Abstract Early sixteenth century radical Anabaptism emanated in Switzerland during Huldrych Zwingli’s protest against the Roman Catholic Church. Much like Martin Luther, Zwingli founded his reform effort on the Bible being the final arbiter of the faith, sola scriptura, and the sufficiency of the shed blood of Christ plus nothing for eternal salvation, sola fide. Based on these principles both adopted the doctrine of the Priesthood of the Believer which recognized every believer’s Spirit empowered ability to read and interpret the Bible for themselves. These initial theological tenets resulted in the literal reading of the Bible and a very pragmatic Christian praxis including a Pauline pneumatology that recognized the efficacy of the manifestation of the charismata. Radical adherents of Zwingli rejected infant baptism as being totally unbiblical and insisted upon the rebaptism of adults, but only on a personal confession of faith, thus the term Anabaptist.
    [Show full text]