The Society for the Advancement of Ecclesiological Theology

July 7, 2012 by Gerald Hiestand

Irenaues — In the Eucharist, God “nourishes us by means of creation”

Irenaeus links creation with the Eucharist, and then insists that we are  “nourished by means of the creation” (the body and blood). This is a wonderfully pro-creation articulation of the supper, and helps counter the platonizing tendencies latent within Christianity. All of this is contra the gnostics, of course, who despised creation.

“But vain in every respect are they who despise the entire dispensation of God, and disallow the salvation of the flesh, and treat with contempt its regeneration, maintaining that it is not capable of incorruption. But if this indeed do not attain salvation, then neither did the Lord redeem us with His blood, nor is the cup of the Eucharist the communion of His blood, nor the bread which we break the communion of His body. For blood can only come from veins and flesh, and whatsoever else makes up the substance of man, such as the Word of God was actually made. By His own blood he redeemed us, as also His apostle declares, ‘In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the remission of sins.’ And as we are His members, we are also nourished by means of the creation (and He Himself grants the creation to us, for He causes His sun to rise, and sends rain when He wills). He has acknowledged the cup (which is a part of the creation) as His own blood, from which He bedews our blood; and the bread (also a part of the creation) He has established as His own body, from which He gives increase to our bodies.^” adversus haereses, 5.2.2

Categories: Eucharist | General | Gerald Hiestand | Irenaeus