My Flesh Is Meat Indeed

A Nonsacramental Reading of John 6:51-58

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Bible & Bible Studies, New Testament, Criticism & Interpretation
Cover of the book My Flesh Is Meat Indeed by Meredith J. C. Warren, Fortress Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Meredith J. C. Warren ISBN: 9781451496697
Publisher: Fortress Press Publication: June 1, 2015
Imprint: Fortress Press Language: English
Author: Meredith J. C. Warren
ISBN: 9781451496697
Publisher: Fortress Press
Publication: June 1, 2015
Imprint: Fortress Press
Language: English

Readers have long puzzled over the absence from the Johannine “Last Supper” of any words by Jesus over bread and wine—suggesting to some that John is indifferent or even hostile to sacramental thought or action—and the apparent dislocation to the feeding miracle, in John 6, of Jesus’ declaration that believers must eat his flesh. Meredith J. C. Warren argues that in fact, the “bread of life” discourse in John 6:51c-58 does not bear any Eucharistic overtones. Rather, John plays on shared cultural expectations in the ancient Mediterranean world about the nature of heroic sacrifice and the accompanying sacrificial meal, which established the identification of a hero with a deity. From Homer and continuing through Greek romances like Chaereas and Callirhoe, An Ephesian Tale, Leucippe and Clitophon, and An Ethiopian Story, Warren traces a literary trope in which a hero or heroine’s antagonistic relationship with a deity is resolved through the sacrifice of the hero. She argues that seen against this milieu, Jesus’ insistence that his flesh be eaten serves to demonstrate his identity and confirms the Christology of the rest of the Gospel.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Readers have long puzzled over the absence from the Johannine “Last Supper” of any words by Jesus over bread and wine—suggesting to some that John is indifferent or even hostile to sacramental thought or action—and the apparent dislocation to the feeding miracle, in John 6, of Jesus’ declaration that believers must eat his flesh. Meredith J. C. Warren argues that in fact, the “bread of life” discourse in John 6:51c-58 does not bear any Eucharistic overtones. Rather, John plays on shared cultural expectations in the ancient Mediterranean world about the nature of heroic sacrifice and the accompanying sacrificial meal, which established the identification of a hero with a deity. From Homer and continuing through Greek romances like Chaereas and Callirhoe, An Ephesian Tale, Leucippe and Clitophon, and An Ethiopian Story, Warren traces a literary trope in which a hero or heroine’s antagonistic relationship with a deity is resolved through the sacrifice of the hero. She argues that seen against this milieu, Jesus’ insistence that his flesh be eaten serves to demonstrate his identity and confirms the Christology of the rest of the Gospel.

More books from Fortress Press

Cover of the book Writing Theologically by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book Liturgical Reform after Vatican II by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book Inscribing the Text by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book Treatise on Good Works, 1520 by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book Christians and War by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book A Theory of Character in New Testament Narrative by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book A People's History of Christianity by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book Finding God among Our Neighbors by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book Re-Visioning the Church by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book The Gift of Theology by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book Two Kingdoms & Two Cities by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book Election of the Lesser Son by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book Many Voices by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book The House of David by Meredith J. C. Warren
Cover of the book Introduction to the History of Christianity by Meredith J. C. Warren
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy