The Eucharist in New Testament

by Jerome Kodell OSB

This examination of the Eucharist is divided into two parts. The first seeks to uncover the origins of the Eucharist and to trace developments in the earliest eucharistic practice and understanding. The second part studies the eucharistic theology of the New Testament writers.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Church, Religion

132 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

AN interesting book, great historical background, the commentary on the scriptures relating to the liturgy is useful but not great. the highlight of this book is the discussion about Jewish meals in the New Testament era.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to the different accounts of the eucharist in the New Testament with their different motivations and focuses. Afterword beautifully summarized my feelings about the conclusion from the varying interpretive traditions.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure whether so-called liturgists are familiar with this. I hope they are, for it changes the way we see the Eucharist insofar as the Last Supper accounts were concerned.

[Franklin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good nuggets here and there on his chapters surveying the Gospels and Paul.

[Anne Wise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too academic for me, but I do feel that I was enriched by reading it.

[Christian Proano · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book could have gotten 4 stars, but it needs updates, I am sure that from the 80's to today the scholarship on higher biblical criticism has evolved regarding this topic. Also this is my first book on Eucharistic theology and I am expecting to find other equally or more enriching resources on the issue.
However, as mentioned the first part of the book deals with a lot of biblical criticism that make the book a bit boring with its exceptions of course, it gives the presupositions of the thesis which was ok for the times it was written but I would like to know let's say today's reflection on the issue from the same author.
In the second part of the book, however, the reading becomes more engaging and enriching offering great insightful perspective on the Eucharistic passages, reading which I would recommend to anyone anytime.
I'll have to let this reading sink, I may change it to a 4 stars.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Kodell is Roman Catholic, it hardly shows in this fine introduction to recent scholarship of the Eucharist (Lord's Supper). Although conservtive evangelicals will disagree with some of his conclusions, he presents an accessible overview of somee difficult questions. For instance, was the Last Supper really a Passover meal or not? Matthew, Mark and Luke seem to say it was, but John seems to say that it wasn't. Check out the book and see what some of the finest New Testament scholars have approached the problem!

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief, accessible, but interesting work on the various NT portrayals of the church's central act of worship. Includes a helpful survey of late 20th century scholarship on the issues.