|
|
 Swirling Controversies - The sixth chapter of John-especially
6:51-58-is the most controversial passage in Johannine scholarship; the interpreter’s
own theological tradition concerning the eucharist brings insightful acuity and surprising
insensitivity simultaneously. Bultmann and other Protestants see the eucharistic
references as imports from a later time, thus suggesting no sacramental theology. Roman
Catholic theologian, Lagrange, on the other hand says that the clear sacramental theology
"could not be missed by anyone, except for Protestants . . ." Raymond E. Brown
takes a centrist position and tries to broker a win/win view. All that to say that in this
lesson, it may be useful for the pastor/teacher to carefully view our lesson as it builds
within the narrative itself and to be aware of our own personal bias that can make us both
insightful and dull at the same time.
A Johannine Eucharistic Theology? - Everything in the Fourth
Gospel, including the eucharist, is subsumed in the person of Jesus. This Gospel contains
no traditional institution narrative, because such a narrative runs counter to the Fourth
Evangelist’s Eucharistic theology. The Fourth Evangelist is not anti-sacramental.
What he is against, it seems, is institutionalization of the sacraments . . . The Fourth
Evangelist places great theological value on the eucharist; it belongs to Jesus’ gift
of life (6:54-55). The eucharist, however, belongs to the believer, not to the church. It
is for Jesus alone to give. All of Jesus’ life is given to the believer when he or
she eats Jesus’ flesh and drinks his blood. [1]
 If someone asked you, "how is
Jesus nourishment to you?" how would you respond?
What theological debates have you been drawn into or that you enjoy participating in?
What is a difficult part of the Christ-life / the Christian story for you grasp?
How does Jesus feed you daily?
 Please check our DPS archives for
homily ideas based on this passage.
_________________________________________
[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible IX (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), page
614.
|
|
