Bread from Heaven: An Introduction to the Theology of the Eucharist (Sacra Doctrina)

Bread from Heaven offers a contemporary theological synthesis on the Eucharist that brings together classical and critical biblical exegesis, debates on the early history of the Christian liturgy, patristic doctrine, the teachings offered by the Councils of Florence, Trent and Vatican II, and the Church's lex orandi , all within a framework provided by the Eucharistic theology of Thomas Aquinas. The volume begins with Christ's Bread of Life discourse in John 6, in light of the Old Testament theme of the manna, and the Synoptic accounts of the Last Supper. These biblical texts offer solid foundation for a theology of Eucharistic sacrifice, presence and Communion. It then continues with a historical and systematic study of the institution of the Eucharist by Christ, with special attention given to the emergence of the first Eucharistic prayers. Then follows a survey of key Christological and ecclesiological themes which undergird Eucharistic theology. The chapters on Eucharistic sacrifice and presence form the heart of the work. Here, the focus moves to key conciliar, patristic and Thomistic insights on these themes. Bread from Heaven clarifies misunderstandings of Eucharistic sacrifice and renders transubstantiation accessible to beginners. Blankenhorn concludes with a study of the consecration, the minister of the Eucharist and the fruits of communion. The chapter on the debate over the words of institution and the epiclesis gives a fresh perspective that integrates both eastern and western tradition. The study of the Eucharistic celebrant strikes a balance between a spirituality of the priest as acting in persona Christi and of the priest as praying in persona ecclesiae . The concluding chapter centers on the Eucharist's unitive, mystical fruits in the Church. This textbook is ideal for an advanced undergraduate or graduate course on Eucharistic theology. It also seeks to advance the debate on several controversial historical and speculative issues in sacramental theology. Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction 1. Bread from Heaven The Manna in the Old Testament The Manna in the Gospel of John 2. The Last Supper The Date of the Last Supper Was the Last Supper a Passover Meal? The Last Supper in Detail 3. The Institution of the Eucharist Biblical and Historical Considerations A Systematic Theology of the Institution of the Eucharist 4. Christological and Ecclesiological Foundations for the Eucharist Christ as the Foundation of Sacramentality The Church as Sacrament of Communion Christ’s Humanity Efficaciously Mediates Grace Christ’s Upward Mediation: The Sacrifice of Calvary Sacrifice in the Old Testament Biblical Analogies of Sin Christ’s Passion as a Sacrifice in the New Testament Christ’s Satisfaction for Sins: A Biblical and Systematic Overview 5. The Eucharistic Sacrifice Scripture, History, and Tradition on Eucharistic Sacrifice A Systematic Theology of Eucharistic Sacrifice Excursus: The Threefold Application of the Fruits of the Sacrifice Evaluating Three Objections to Eucharistic Sacrifice 6. The Substantial Presence of Christ in the Eucharist The Theology of Christ’s Corporeal Presence in History A Systematic Theology of Eucharistic Conversion and Presence Excursus: The Metaphysics of Substance and Accidents Protestant Objections and Conciliar Responses Evaluating Recent Objections to Eucharistic Substance 7. The Consecration, the Epiclesis, and the Words of Institution A Historical Study of the Consecration of the Gifts A Systematic Theology of the Consecration Conclusion 8. The Minister of the Eucharist The Minister of the Eucharist in Scripture, the Early Church, and the Magisterium A Systematic Theology of the Eucharistic Celebrant 9. Eucharistic Communion Hermeneutical Principles for a Theology of Communion Scripture and the Fathers on Eucharistic Communion A Systematic Theology of Eucharistic Communion Excursus: Spiritual Communion Recent Controversies on Communion Conclusion Bibliography Index of Names General Index