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Eucharist Makes the Church

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I would give this book to all my friends if I wasn't so poor. Maybe I'll sell my computer to do so...Really, though, McPartlan has done his homework and does a supurb job in presenting the Eucharistic theology of two respected theologians, one Roman Catholic (de Lubac), the other Eastern Orthodox (Zizioulas), showing how it is the Eucharist which is celebrated in communion with a bishop which constitutes the Church.

The book is divided into three parts. First, de Lubac is presented, covering a wide range of topics which include the nature of personhood, the neopatristic synthesis, nature and supernatural, St.Aquinas and space and time, Mysticism and Eucharist, the Chacedonian shift, universal concrete and corporate personality, the Eucharist makes the Church, the Church makes the Eucharist, bishop as High Priest, the universal and the particular Church, Jean Jaques von Allmen and Nicolas Afanassieff.

Part two concerns Zizioulas's works which cover most of the same themes found in part one, but from a slightly different angle. It also contains a helpful overview of Russian theologians such as Georges Florovsky, Vladimir Lossky, and Nicolas Afanassieff.

Part three puts de Lubac and Zizioulas in diologue. Topics include Beginning and End, Christ and the Spirit, History and Eschatolgy, The Beating Heart of the Church, Baptism Penance and the Eucharist, Blocks and Strings and Spiders Webs. People of God and Body of Christ.

The conclusion covers The Church and the World. Complementary Critique, and Catholicity.

For further reading there is an exhaustive bibliography for both theologians and a general one which is very, very helpful.

This book is so needed in this age of often misguided ecumenism which often neglects the meaning and role of the Eucharist as the Heart of the Church's life. Please look at Zizioulas' other books, especially "Being as Communion".

This book allows you to listen in on one of the most interesting conversations in contemporary theology. The work of Henri de Lubac and John Zizioulas are both attempts to refresh the theological visions of their respective Churches (Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox) by going back to the patristic sources. McPartlan helps to point the way toward a non-scholastic approach to theology which is grounded the eucharistic liturgical life that is the Church in an effort to clarify what unites and divides these two ancients communions and to point the way to unity. An excellent work which includes valuable full bibiliographies of both authors.

I wanted to redo this review to add a little bit. I would give this book to all my friends if I weren't so poor. Maybe I'll sell my computer to do so...Really, though, McPartlan has done his homework and does a superb job in presenting the Eucharistic theology of two respected theologians, one Roman Catholic (de Lubac), the other Eastern Orthodox (Zizioulas), showing how it is the Eucharist which is celebrated in communion with a bishop which constitutes the Church.
The book is divided into three parts. First, de Lubac is presented, covering a wide range of topics which include the nature of personhood, the neopatristic synthesis, nature and supernatural, St.Aquinas and space and time, Mysticism and Eucharist, the Chalcedonian shift, universal concrete and corporate personality, the Eucharist makes the Church, the Church makes the Eucharist, bishop as High Priest, the universal and the particular Church, Jean Jaques von Allmen and Nicolas Afanassieff.
Part two concerns Zizioulas's works which cover most of the same themes found in part one, but from a slightly different angle. It also contains a helpful overview of Russian theologians such as Georges Florovsky, Vladimir Lossky, and Nicolas Afanassieff.
Part three puts de Lubac and Zizioulas in dialogue. Topics include Beginning and End, Christ and the Spirit, History and Eschatology, The Beating Heart of the Church, Baptism Penance and the Eucharist, Blocks and Strings and Spiders Webs, People of God and Body of Christ.
The conclusion covers The Church and the World. Complementary Critique, and Catholicity. For further reading there is an exhaustive bibliography for both theologians and a general one which is very, very helpful.
This book is so needed in this age of often-misguided ecumenism, which often neglects the meaning and role of the Eucharist as the Heart of the Church's life. Please look at Zizioulas' other books, especially "Being as Communion". I have a few lists, too, which have great books on the subject of east/west relations in Christianity. Let me know if you have any suggestions for books, please!