Date of Award

5-1-1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Sacred Theology (STM)

Department

Systematic Theology

Scripture References in this Resource

John 6:51-59; 1 Corinthians 11:24; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Exodus 12:46; Exodus 16:16; John 1:29; John 13:23, 28; John 13:30; John 18:28; john 19:14, 31; John 19:33, 36; John 6:11; John 6:14-15; John 6:3; John 6:4; Luke 22:14; Luke 22:19; Mark 14:18; Matthew 26:20; Numbers 9:12

Abstract

This thesis ventures to reopen an old argument on ground which has been a "no man's land" for Lutherans for nearly 500 years. There is a tradition within Lutheranism of interpreting John 6:51-59 as having no reference whatsoever to the Eucharist. This tradition within Lutheranism can rightly claim the support of Luther who said, "it [the sixth chapter of John] does not refer to the sacrament in a single syllable". Naturally, no confessional Lutheran wants to find himself in disagreement with Luther. We would always rather defend his views when they are maligned. But Luther corrected his own views many times and begs us to treat the fathers in this way: Even if all the fathers would agree with our interpretation, how could we arrive at the point where for the sake of the fathers we would abandon God’s word and depend on them? Follow the example of St. Augustine himself! One ought to read his books, even as he read the books of others; for he did not believe what someone said simply because he said it, no matter how respected he might be, but only if the author proved his case from Holy Scripture. Let us gladly do the dear fathers the honor of interpreting, to the best of our ability, their writings which they have left for us, so that they remain in harmony with Holy Scripture. However, where their writings do not agree with God's word, there it is much better that we say they have erred than that for their sake we should abandon God’s word.2As surely as we do well to consider Martin Luther a father of the Reformation, we would do well to heed his advice here. The first chapter of this thesis seeks to examine the text without regard to Reformation polemics. The second chapter seeks to present the history of the Eucharistic interpretation in the early church. The third chapter examines Luther’s view. The fourth chapter examines the Lutheran confessions and Law/Gospel distinction. The fifth chapter presents Lutheran catechesis which has referred to the text in explanation of the benefit of the Supper and Luther’s preaching on the benefit of the Supper.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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