1. The Eucharist NT background Manner of divine presence
Modern developments
Implications for practice
Evaluation of similarities/ differences

2. The NT Background task 1 Explain the Eucharist
In the New Testament - 2 traditions: Lk-Paul and Mt-Mk
Mt-Mk is a slightly later tradition, representing a more developed understanding of what Jesus’ death meant.
Lk 22:19
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Eucharist = “thanksgiving” in Greek
1 Cor 10:14 – St.Paul
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
1 Cor 11:23 – St.Paul
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Lk-Paul emphasise more the risen glorified presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and the New Covenant he establishes.

3. The Manner of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist
Is Jesus physically present? Spiritually present? Through faith? Or objectively?
Read the theories of the manner of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and make notes on each
How significant are the differences? To what extent is there agreement?

4. Transubstantiation
‘Trans’ means “change over” (eg transform substance)
The bread and wine are substantially changed, into what they were not - Christ’s body and blood. And are no longer bread and wine.
The Catholic Church teaches that Transubstantation must be believed as a doctrine
The Orthodox avoid the controversy by referring to it as “trans-elementation” and a “mysterious” change.

5. Modern Developments – in RC Church
Transignification – Schilleebeckx
The bread and wine (signifiers) change their meaning. They no longer signify food, but the presence of Christ.
Transfinalisation – Rahner
The bread and wine are changed in their purpose/ goal. Their purpose is no longer physical nourishment, but spiritual nourishment , to unite the believer with Christ.
Both views are welcomed by the RC Church as long as they do not deny that a real substantial change has taken place in the bread and wine (alongside change in meaning/ purpose).
Why do you think the Church had to make this point?

6. Explain 3 different Protestant understandings of how Christ is present in the Eucharist

7. The manner of Christ’s Presence
Virtualism
The Holy Spirit makes Christ a personal presence, it “communicates” his body and blood in a spiritual, but not literal, way (Reformed Protestants – Calvin. Presbyterians) A personal presence, but not a local presence (Calvin thought Jesus’ real body remains in heaven).
Memorialism
Bread and wine do not “communicate” anything. They help the believer remember what Jesus did (Luke 22:19), in a psychological sense, to strengthen faith. This then brings God’s grace. (Zwingli. Radical reformed – baptists, evangelicals)
Really present in the power (virtus) of the Spirit, through faith
Symbolically through faith
Bread and wine do not change into the body and blood of Christ.
Christ co-exists alongside the consecrated bread and wine, which remain bread and wine
= consubstantiation (Anglicans)
Which do you think is the case? Why?

8. The Manner of Christ’s presence
Place them along your arrow, in order of literal to symbolic
Memorialism
Transfinalisation
Consubstantiation
Transignification
Transubstantiation
Virtualism
Symbolic
Literal

9. 4 B Consecration, Holy Spirit, Mass, Virtualism, Risen Christ, grace, Transubstantiation, symbols, divine mystery, Priest
Eucharist
Orthodox
Protestant
Catholic
Significance of the Eucharist
Commonly termed the 'Mystic Supper' or 'Divine Liturgy' - This makes present Christ's sacrifice and therefore forgiveness of sins is obtained through it. It is also an encounter with the ______ _____.
The Eucharist, like Baptism is only a symbol of ________. The sacrificial nature of the Eucharist is also rejected.
The position is similar to the Orthodox. The Eucharist is also known as the 'Holy sacrifice of the ______'.
Eucharist - Presence of Christ in bread and wine
During the Eucharist, the Priest calls down the _____ ________ upon the gifts (the bread and the wine). They then change into the actual body and blood of Christ. The precise way in which this happens is a ___________ ___________.
The bread and wine, being ________, do not change substance. There are however, a wide variety of views held within Protestantism on this subject.
Consubstantiation
Memorialism
_____________
As in Orthodoxy, the Priest invokes the Holy Spirit during the Mass. However, the c________________ becomes effective through the __________, who acts in the person of Christ. The gifts change completely into Christ's body and blood and this change is termed ‘________________' i.e. the outward appearance remains the same, but the substance changes.
Modern developments
Transignification
Transfinalisation

10. Mass Eucharist Orthodox Protestant Catholic
Significance of the Eucharist
Commonly termed the 'Mystic Supper' or 'Divine Liturgy' - This makes present Christ's sacrifice and therefore forgiveness of sins is obtained through it. It is also an encounter with the Risen Christ.
The Eucharist, like Baptism is only a symbol of grace. The sacrificial nature of the Eucharist is also rejected.
The position is similar to the Orthodox. The Eucharist is also known as the 'Holy sacrifice of the Mass'.
Eucharist - Presence of Christ in bread and wine
During the Eucharist, the Priest calls down the Holy Spirit upon the gifts (the bread and the wine). They then change into the actual body and blood of Christ. The precise way in which this happens is a divine mystery.
The bread and wine, being symbols, do not change substance. There are however, a wide variety of views held within Protestantism on this subject.
Consubstantiation
Memorialism
Virtualism
As in Orthodoxy, the Priest invokes the Holy Spirit during the Mass. However, the consecration becomes effective through the Priest, who acts in the person of Christ. The gifts change completely into Christ's body and blood and this change is termed 'Transubstantiation' i.e. the outward appearance remains the same, but the substance changes.
Modern developments
Transignification
Transfinalisation

12. 4 B AO2 Is there any common ground between different Christian beliefs about the Eucharist?
Complete a venn diagram with a brief explanation of the different beliefs about the Eucharist.
Catholic Beliefs about the Eucharist
Protestant Beliefs about the Eucharist
Similarities

13. Similarities – All Eucharist beliefs come from the same origin – the Last Supper; they all remind us of God’s love; the Eucharist is a call to service for all Christians; source of Grace for all believers; it is a communal meal of fellowship for all.
Catholic Beliefs about the Eucharist
The bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ.
It is following the command at the Last Supper- Transubstantiation
Some Catholics believe that there is no chemical change to the Eucharist but that Jesus is sacramentally there. He is personally not physically present. (ES) Transignification
Karl Rahner tried to say that they don’t become the body and blood of Christ but serve a new function – to stir up faith - Transfinalization
Protestant Beliefs about the Eucharist
The Eucharist is symbolic of the Last Supper – Zwingli.
Christ can only be present through prayer.
Nothing ‘substance’ wise changes.
The body and blood co-exist with the bread and wine, Luther – Consubstantiation.
Christ’s power is present but only to the elect few - Calvin

14. AO2 Implications for Practice
Protestants – all three views
Catholics and Orthodox
7.Outsiders are welcomed to participate
4.Not necessarily celebrated weekly – devotional basis – time for reflection on sin
1. No formal Liturgy and structure - prayful
8.Called “Celebration of Last Supper” rather than “Eucharist”
5. Celebrated every Sunday – pomp and ceremony
2.Celebration of Mass high point of Church’s worship
9. Eucharist central point of worship for those who accept Consubstantiation ‘real presence’
6. Four part Mass - liturgical
10. Anglican churches celebrate Eucharist with ceremony and structure
3. Three part liturgy