Memorialism

E52943

Memorialism is a Christian theological view of the Eucharist that understands the bread and wine purely as symbolic reminders of Christ’s sacrifice rather than as elements that become or contain his real presence.


Statements (47)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Christian theological view
Eucharistic theology
doctrine
affirms bread and wine are memorials of Christ’s sacrifice
bread and wine are symbolic
aimsToProtect uniqueness of Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice
associatedWith Ulrich Zwingli
basedOn interpretation of the words of institution as figurative
interpretation of “This is my body” as “This represents my body”
category Protestant theology
sacramental theology
contrastsWith Eastern Orthodox Eucharistic theology
Lutheran Eucharistic theology
Roman Catholic Eucharistic theology
critiquedBy Lutheran theologians
Reformed theologians who hold to spiritual real presence
Roman Catholic theologians
denies consubstantiation
real presence of Christ in the Eucharistic elements
transubstantiation
developedInCentury 16th century
emphasizes commemorative character of the Lord’s Supper
remembrance of Christ’s death
subjective faith response of the communicant
focusesOn historical event of Christ’s crucifixion
hasDoctrinalFocus Eucharist
heldBy many Reformed churches
some Baptist churches
some non-denominational evangelical churches
influencedBy humanist biblical exegesis of the Reformation era
interpretsPhrase “Do this in remembrance of me” as central command
liturgicalImplication focus on preaching and remembrance rather than sacrificial offering
minimizes sacramental efficacy of the elements themselves
opposes view of Eucharist as propitiatory sacrifice
originatedIn Swiss Reformation
rejects change of substance in the elements
local corporeal presence of Christ in the elements
relatedConcept Zwinglian view of the Lord’s Supper
scripturalBasis 1 Corinthians 11:24–25
Luke 22:19
teaches Eucharist is a sign rather than a means of conveying Christ’s bodily presence
no ontological change occurs in bread and wine
understandsEucharisticBenefitAs primarily commemorative and didactic
understandsPresenceAs spiritual presence to faith rather than in the elements
viewsEucharistAs act of obedience
ordinance
public proclamation of Christ’s death

Referenced by (1)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Consubstantiation
contrastsWith

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