Controversies over

Communionin the Middle Ages

CONTINUING QUESTIONSWhat did Jesus mean by:

“This is my body” “This is my blood”?

Matthew 26.26Mark 14:22Luke 22:19

I Corinthians 11:24

Cyril of Jerusalem (350)• Preparing new converts

– Bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ…somehow

–Jesus changed water into wine, thus..– How? Just affirm the mystery (John

of Damascus)–Purpose: becoming “one with Christ”

CHANGES IN EUCHARISTIC TRADITION

–From TABLE …1ST TO 3RD CENTURIES• Didache, Paul, table stories, last supper

traditions, Jewish “Chaburah” (fellowship meal)• Shared food and fellowship of the community• Eating and drinking with the Risen Lord• Anticipation of the “Heavenly Banquet”• “Sacrifice of Praise” – action of the people

http://ldysinger.stjohnsem.edu/@texts/0203_perpetua/x-supper1.jpg

…to Tomb/Altarlate 4th CENTURY ORIGINS– Theodore of Mopsuestia (381)– Allegory of the death of Christ– Re-presentation of Christ’s death as a

sacrifice – an action of the priest– People as observers– Conduit of “heavenly grace” for forgiveness

of sins

Image source: http://saints.sqpn.com/ncd00366a.jpg

Medieval Developments• Debate at the Monastery of Corbie

• 9th century• Radbertus (literal)• Ratromnus (symbolic)• Prelude to scholastic theology:

• providing reasoned explanations for theological ideas

• Controversy over change in bread and wine: how are sacramental bread and wine different?

Image Source: http://saintsandblesseds.files.wordpress.com

An Embarrassing Oath• Berengar of Tours

–11th century–He revives symbolic approach–Required to take ultra-literal oath

• Lots of grinding of bones…. –Oath becomes an embarrassment

in later church

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

& The Medieval Synthesis– The Crusades & the rediscovery of Aristotle

• Revival of “Reason” and “Science”– The HOW Question– “Accidents” do not change– “Substance” changes– “Transubstantiation”

• Says “more”

Extra: Thomas Aquinas’ Model of Natural & Revealed Theology

Basic Format of The Summa Theologica 1. Theological Question2. Objections = initial answers(But, don’t be fooled!)3. Thomas’ REAL Answer4. Response to the initial Objections (Why they are wrong)

Natural Knowledge, including Natural Theology

Revealed TheologyKnowledge of Godfound only in Scripture

“Summa “of the Summa on Knowledge of God!• Human beings can have knowledge of God through

observation of the natural world (= Natural theology = human [limited] knowledge)

• Knowledge of God necessary for human salvation is only available through revelation, which is found in the scriptures (= Revealed theology = the perfection of human knowledge)

Image source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JnXd16RlK_c/TUMo9AU-0kI/AAAAAAAAS0E/rEKS1LgGoVo/s1600/SaintThomasAquinas.jpg

Protestant Reformers• John WYCLIFFE (1328-1384)

– Symbolic presence only– No change in the “substance” of bread and

wine– Christ is not “corporeally” in the sacrament– Leadership not derived

from office, but from God– Formally condemned in

1382 & 1415– Protected by English king

Image Source:http://rebelliouspastorswife.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/wycliffe.gif

Protestant Reformers• Martin Luther (1483 –

1548) – Augustinian Monk: Salvation by

Faith though Grace– Visits Rome – Oops!– “Babylonian Captivity” of the

Sacrament• Should not be given in just one kind

(bread)• Denies 7 sacraments, accepts 2• Real Presence, but no change…

Image Source: http://charliewhitlow.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/martin-luther.jpg

FEEL THE WRATH OF THE REFORMER @ Martin Luther Insult Generator: "You are like mouse-dropping in the pepper.” Click on the link to begin the

tirade : http://ergofabulous.org/luther/

The Elizabethan Settlement• “I’m Henry the 8th I am…” I’ll take one divorce and

raise you an entire Church…!• Catholic “Bloody” Mary Tudor

– daughter of Catherine of Aragon – restoration & persecution (Reign: 1553-58)

• Elizabeth I – Back to Protestantism – Reign 1558-1603– Wars of Religion – Wars of Words– Prayer book of 1552: “This is my body.” + “Do this in

remembrance of me.”

Young Mary Tudor

Credits1. Rose window, Notre Dame. Photo taken by garyturner @

http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyturner/448849167/2. Agape Feast, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Agape_feast_07.jpg,

Public Domain3. Corbie Monastery, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Corbie_abbatiale_1.jpg/75px-Corbie_abbatiale_1.jpg4. Thomas Aquinas @

http://arewethereyet-davisfarmmom.blogspot.com/2011/03/on-feast-of-st-thomas-aquinas.html5. John Wycliffe @

http://victorverney.wordpress.com/history-2/religious-dissenters-prominent-obscure/6. Martin Luther @ http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/l/u/t/luther_m.htm7. Young Mary Tudor @ http://www.marileecody.com/mary1images.html