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Bodies, Bread, and Resurrection: A Sacramental Theology of the Body

Edwin Blair

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The Eucharist: Bodies, Bread, & Resurrection: Bodies, Bread, and Resurrection

by Andrea Bieler

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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In his book Bodies, Bread, and Resurrection, Lutheran theologian Robert W. Jenson explores the relationship between the body, the Eucharist, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jenson argues that the body is not simply a material object, but is also a sacramental sign of God's presence in the world. The Eucharist, in turn, is a sacrament that mediates the presence of Christ's body to the believer. And the resurrection of Christ is the ultimate vindication of the body, demonstrating that it is not destined to decay and death, but to eternal life.

The Body as a Sacramental Sign

For Jenson, the body is not simply a material object, but is also a sacramental sign of God's presence in the world. This is because the body is created by God and is therefore a reflection of God's own being. The body is also the temple of the Holy Spirit, and is therefore a dwelling place for God. As such, the body is a holy and sacred thing, and is to be treated with respect and dignity.

The body is also a sacramental sign because it is a means through which God communicates with us. This is most clearly seen in the Eucharist, where bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ. Through the Eucharist, we receive Christ's body into our own bodies, and we are thereby united with him in a profound way. The Eucharist is a sacrament of communion, and it nourishes us with the spiritual food that we need to grow in faith and love.

The Eucharist as a Sacrament of the Body

The Eucharist is a sacrament of the body because it is a means through which we receive Christ's body into our own bodies. Through the Eucharist, we are united with Christ in a profound way, and we are nourished with the spiritual food that we need to grow in faith and love.

The Eucharist is also a sacrament of the resurrection because it points forward to the resurrection of our own bodies. Christ's resurrection is the firstfruits of the resurrection of all believers, and the Eucharist is a foretaste of the eternal life that we will share with Christ in the kingdom of God.

The Resurrection of Christ as the Vindication of the Body

The resurrection of Christ is the ultimate vindication of the body. Christ's resurrection demonstrates that the body is not destined to decay and death, but to eternal life. The resurrection is a victory over sin and death, and it is a promise of new life for all who believe in Christ.

The resurrection of Christ also gives us hope for our own resurrection. We know that our bodies will one day be raised from the dead, and that we will be given new bodies that are incorruptible and immortal. These new bodies will be like Christ's resurrection body, and they will be able to enjoy the fullness of life in the kingdom of God.

In Bodies, Bread, and Resurrection, Robert W. Jenson offers a rich and profound sacramental theology of the body. Jenson argues that the body is not simply a material object, but is also a sacramental sign of God's presence in the world. The Eucharist, in turn, is a sacrament that mediates the presence of Christ's body to the believer. And the resurrection of Christ is the ultimate vindication of the body, demonstrating that it is not destined to decay and death, but to eternal life.

Jenson's theology of the body is a challenge to our modern understanding of the body as a mere object. Jenson reminds us that the body is a holy and sacred thing, and that it is to be treated with respect and dignity. He also reminds us that the body is destined for eternal life, and that our hope for resurrection is a powerful source of comfort and hope in the face of death.

The Eucharist: Bodies, Bread, & Resurrection: Bodies, Bread, and Resurrection

by Andrea Bieler

4.6 out of 5