Eucharistic Theology

Module Description:

This module will examine the claim across churches that the Church is most itself when it gathers to celebrate the Eucharist. The module will study Eucharistic Prayers in use since Vatican II, and their structure and theology. It will trace the origins of the Eucharist in the New Testament, and how this was understood in selected early church writings. The eighth century debates on presence will be looked at, as well as the medieval synthesis on Eucharist, the thinking of Trent, and a survey of contemporary issues and directions in Eucharistic theology. It will discuss the disputes over the Eucharist that arose during the Reformation, as well as the attempts among theologians of various churches to articulate a new synthesis in contemporary ecumenical dialogue. To this end the bilateral discussion on Eucharist (ARCIC), and the relevant section of the Lima Statement of convergence from the 1982 World Council of Churches will be explored.

Indicative Bibliography:

Daly, R.J., Sacrifice Unveiled: The True Meaning of Christian Sacrifice. (London: T & T Clark, 2009).
Hunsinger, G. The Eucharist and Ecumenism. Current Issues in Theology Series. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008).
Irwin, K.W., Models of the Eucharist. (New York /Mahwah: Paulist Press, 2005).
Kilmartin, E.J., Eucharist in the West. (Collegeville, MN.: The Liturgical Press, 1980).
Mazza, E., The Eucharistic Prayers of the Roman Rite. (New York: Pueblo Publishing Company, 1986).
Power, D.N., The Eucharistic Mystery: Revitalising the Tradition. (Dublin: Gill and Macmillan, 1992).
World Council of Churches, Baptism, Eucharist, Ministry: Faith and Order 111, 1982.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Assess theories relating to the origins of the Eucharist in the New Testament
• Debate and critique the patristic theories, the medieval synthesis as well as contemporary directions in Eucharistic theology
• Identify relationships between different theologies of church, ordained ministry, and eucharist
• Analyse and appraise current directions in ecumenical discussions
• Evaluate contemporary positions relating to eucharist, including the postmodern critique
• Recognise the various philosophical schools of thought that inform diverse theologies of eucharist.

Methods of Assessment and Student Workload:

Annual examination and essay.