Consubstantiation

Categories: Christian liturgy, rites, and worship services | Lutheranism

Part of the series on Communion
also known as "The Eucharist" or "The Lord's Supper"
Image:Eucharist2.jpg
Instituted by Jesus Christ
Theology Consecration Consubstantiation Memorialism Real Presence Transubstantiation
Theologies contrasted
Important theologians Paul ·Aquinas Augustine · Calvin Chrysostom · Cranmer Luther · Zwingli
Related Articles Christianity Catholic Historic Roots Closed and Open Table Divine Liturgy Eucharistic adoration Eucharistic discipline First Communion Infant Communion Mass · Sacrament Sanctification

Consubstantiation is a theory which, like the competing theory of transubstantiation, attempts to describe the nature of the Christian Eucharist in metaphysical terms. It holds that during the sacrament the fundamental reality (the "substance") of the body and blood of Christ are present alongside the substance of the bread and wine, which remain present. Transubstantiation differs from consubstantiation in that in it the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ through consecration. The substance of the bread and wine do not remain, but their accidents (superficial properties like appearance and taste) remain.

Consubstantiation is commonly associated with the teachings of Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon, but many present-day Lutherans reject this term and, in fact, reject any attempt to explain the presence of Christ in the Eucharist philosophically. Luther did teach that the body and blood of Christ are present "in, with, and under" the bread and wine, and present-day Lutherans hold to this statement while disagreeing about its exact meaning. Luther illustrated his belief about the Eucharist "by the analogy of the iron put into the fire whereby both fire and iron are united in the red-hot iron and yet each continues unchanged" (The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, F.L. Cross, Ed., London: Oxford, 1958, p. 337). Consubstantiation is also affirmed by some Anglicans and Eastern Orthodox Christians.

[edit]

History and culture

In England in the late 14th century, there was a political and religious movement known as Lollardy. Among much broader goals, the Lollards affirmed a form of consubstantiation -- that the Eucharist remained physically bread and wine, while becoming spiritually the body and blood of Christ. Lollardy was effectively ended with the execution of John Badby for heresy by burning at the stake.

In literature the conflict between Consubstantiation and Transubstantiation was satirically described in Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" as war between Lilliput and Blefuscu.

[edit]

Consubstantiation

History and culture

See also