1 / 9

Alister McGrath, Christian Theology: An Introduction

Alister McGrath, Christian Theology: An Introduction. Chapter 16 The Doctrine of the Sacraments. The Early Development of Sacramental Theology. Roman North Africa, 3rd and 4th centuries Tertullian Greek mysterion (mystery) to Latin sacramentum (sacrament) Sacrament and sacraments

tameron
Download Presentation

Alister McGrath, Christian Theology: An Introduction

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Alister McGrath, Christian Theology: An Introduction Chapter 16 The Doctrine of the Sacraments Wiley-Blackwell 2010

  2. The Early Development of Sacramental Theology • Roman North Africa, 3rd and 4th centuries • Tertullian • Greek mysterion (mystery) to Latin sacramentum (sacrament) • Sacrament and sacraments • Parallel between sacraments and military oaths • Augustine of Hippo • “visible forms of invisible grace” • Sacraments both signify and evoke or enable Wiley-Blackwell 2010

  3. The Definition of a Sacrament • Augustine • A sacrament is a sign • The sign resembles the thing it signifies • Hugh of St. Victor (1096-1141) • A physical or material element • A likeness to the thing that is signified • Authorization to signify the thing • Efficacity: the sacrament is able to confer the benefits it signifies • Peter Lombard (c.1100-1160) • Omit reference to physical or spiritual element • Seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, marriage, ordination, extreme unction • Martin Luther • The Word of God • An outward sacramental sign • Two sacraments: baptism and Eucharist Wiley-Blackwell 2010

  4. The Donatist Controversy: Sacramental Efficacy • Cyprian of Carthage: no true sacraments outside the church • Donatists • validity of sacraments depend on personal qualities of the person who administers them • Augustine • Insufficient weight to the grace of Jesus Christ • Ex opere operantis (on account of the work of the one who works) • Ex opere operato (on account of the work which is done) Wiley-Blackwell 2010

  5. The Multiple Functions of the Sacrament • Sacraments convey grace • Ambrose of Milan, Augustine • Peter of Aquila: sacraments are the precondition, not cause, of grace • Protestant reformers • Sacraments strengthen faith • Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560) • Gracious divine accommodation to human weakness • Martin Luther • Second Vatican Council • Sacraments enhance unity and commitment within the church • Martin Luther • Huldrych Zwingli • Baptism and circumcision • Public declaration of loyalty to the church Wiley-Blackwell 2010

  6. Sacraments reassure us of God’s promises toward us • Martin Luther • A sacrament as a “testament” • A case study in complexity: the functions of the Eucharist • Recollection: looking backward • Continuity between church and Israel • Remembrance of the death of Jesus on the cross • Anticipation: looking forward • The return of Christ • The hope of the New Jerusalem and the heavenly banquet • Affirming individual faith • Affirming corporate belonging Wiley-Blackwell 2010

  7. The Eucharist: The Question of the Real Presence • “This is my body” (Matthew 26:26) • Cyril of Jerusalem (c.313-86) • The ninth-century debates over the real presence • Paschasius Radbertus and Ratramnus of Corbie • Candidus • Medieval views on the relation of “sign” and “sacrament” • The sign itself • Something that is both a reality and a sign • The sacramental reality • Thomas Aquinas • Transubstantiation • The Fourth Lateran Council (1215) • Aristotelian categories • Substance and accidents Wiley-Blackwell 2010

  8. Transignification and transfinalization • Transfinalization: consecration alters the purpose of the bread and wine • Transignification: consecration changes the meaning of the bread and wine • Edward Schillebeeckx, The Eucharist (1968) • Consubstantiation • Martin Luther • Simultaneous presence • Genuine presence • A real absence: memorialism • Huldrych Zwingli • Remembrance, memorial • Metaphorical/figurative Wiley-Blackwell 2010

  9. The Debate Concerning Infant Baptism • The New Testament • Karl Barth’s criticisms • Lacks biblical foundation • Devalues the grace of God • Weakens the link between baptism and discipleship • Infant baptism remits the guilt of original sin • Augustine • Infant baptism is grounded in God’s covenant with the church • Huldrych Zwingli: baptism and circumcision • Infant baptism is unjustified • Believer’s baptism • Benajah Harvey Carroll (1843-1914) • Proper authority • Proper subject • Proper act • Proper design Wiley-Blackwell 2010

More Related