The Eucharist and Ecumenism: Let us Keep the Feast

Current Issues in Theology

by George Hunsinger

The theology of the Eucharist has long been the subject of heated debate, particularly since the Reformation. George Hunsinger's book explores ways in which Christians might resolve their differences in this area. With the aim of fostering ecumenical convergence, he tackles three key issues dividing the churches about the Eucharist: real presence, Eucharistic sacrifice, and ordained ministry. Hunsinger, a Protestant theologian in the Reformed tradition, brings Eastern Orthodox views more systematically into the discussion than has been common in the West. He also discusses the social significance of the Eucharist. His detailed conclusion summarizes and clarifies the argument as a whole with an eye to explaining how the views proposed in the book could lead the churches, beginning with the Reformed church, closer to the day when obstacles to Eucharistic sharing are overcome. George Hunsinger has been chosen as the recipient of the 2010 Karl Barth Prize by the jury of the Union of Evangelical Churches in the Evangelical Church in Germany.

Genres: Theology

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

About the author

George Hunsinger (PhD, Yale University) is Hazel Thompson McCord Professor of Systematic Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. He is best known for his critically acclaimed work in Barth’s theology and has been president of the Karl Barth Society of North American since 2003.

Reviews

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunsinger is amazing. Not only is he a top-knotch theologian who finds significant common ground between the Reformed, Roman Catholics, and Eastern Orthodoxy, but he also manages to argue for women's and gay ordination in a logical and level-headed way. I disagree stridently with him on women's and gay ordination, but he is still a model for peaceful discussion. There is a time for calling down the wrath of God, but we must also demonstrate that we aren't frothing-at-the-mouth fundamentalists.

[Alex Strohschein · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an impossible book to rate! George Hunsinger has added an important tome to ecumenical and sacramental theology. In "The Eucharist and Ecumenism," Hunsinger brings together an array of theologians and statements from Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, such as Alexander Schmemann, Thomas Aquinas, the Council of Trent, Peter Martyr Vermigli and John Calvin. Hunsinger brings these thinkers together and interacts with them. The fundamental proposal Hunsinger offers is that since Roman Catholicism does not see the Orthodox view of transelementation of the Eucharist as church-dividing and since Protestants (especially the Reformed, who are Hunsinger's main audience) will likely never accept transubstantiation, then Protestants should adopt translementation in how they understand the Eucharist.

Hunsinger also raises the challenge of how a truly universal Church would come together. He suggests all churches adopt an episcopal ecclesiology. I am in full accord with his support for women's ordination (he provides many robust arguments for the ordination of women) although he also supports the ordination of practicing homosexuals (!).

I think the book could have been slimmer. Hunsinger includes a chapter on the atonement, Eucharist and peace that, while fascinating, distracts from his main purpose which is in providing a framework for full eucharistic sharing among the branches of Christendom. It is a grandiose and daunting proposal, one brimming with (naive) optimism (he wants all churches to make concessions in their understanding of the Eucharist which I don't think will ever be made, particularly among Protestants who are so thoroughly divided over other matters and who lack a central governing council or figure to implement uniform doctrine) but one that may also be commended for its (ridiculous) hope.

[Liam Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Husinger's proposals in connecting the Reformed and the Greek Orthodox eucharist theologies is navigated well. Husinger is for sure not advocating everyone returns to one type of theology, but how the Reformed, Lutherans, Orthodox, and Catholics may re-enter dialogue along celebrating the Eucharist as the Universal Church. For Husinger, the bread and wine enter into a mystical union with Christ that joins us to the resurrected one through where Christ's atoning sacrifice is (from T. F. Torrance). In entering into reconciling the different traditions, Husinger hopes that this will pave a way forward for the Church to not only reconcile to one another, but join in a unified eucharistic ministry. Again, to partake in the eucharist for Husinger is to be joined and act alongside in participation with Christ seated on high. Anyone interested in ecumenical conversation.

[Brett Salkeld]

For a Reformed theologian, Hunsinger's understanding of Catholic teaching on presence and sacrifice are remarkably accurate. He falls off a little when he takes on the idea of ministry. It will be interesting to see what kind of reception this work gets in his own community and in the broader Church.

[Frankie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a helpful book to clarify terms and some creative solutions to ecumenical divisions. That said, I think Hunsinger has some work to do in evaluating the full implications of the Nicene theology that he upholds, as they would run counter to some of the ideas that he puts forth. I loved his reclamation of Eastern transelementation for the Western tradition, though.