Consubstantiation

Not to be confused with consubstantiality.

Part of the series on Communion

also known as "The Eucharist", "The Lord's Supper" "Divine Liturgy" or "Sacrament"

Theology Real Presence Transubstantiation Transignification Sacramental Union Memorialism Consubstantiation Impanation Consecration Words of Institution

Theologies contrasted Anglican Eucharistic theology Eucharist (Catholic Church) Eucharist (Lutheran Church) Divine Liturgy (Orthodox Church)

Important theologians Paul · Aquinas Luther · Calvin Chrysostom · Augustine Zwingli · Basil of Caesarea

Related Articles Christianity Sacramental bread Christianity and alcohol Catholic Historic Roots Closed and Open Table Divine Liturgy Eucharistic adoration Eucharistic discipline First Communion Infant Communion Mass · Sacrament Sanctification This box: view · talk · edit

Consubstantiation is a theological doctrine that (like Transubstantiation) attempts to describe the nature of the Christian Eucharist in concrete metaphysical terms. It holds that during the sacrament, the fundamental "substance" of the body and blood of Christ are present alongside the substance of the bread and wine, which remain present. The doctrine of consubstantiation is often held in contrast to the doctrine of transubstantiation.

The doctrine of consubstantiation is erroneously identified as the eucharistic doctrine of Martin Luther,^[1] who defined his doctrine as the sacramental union.^[2] While some Lutherans believe in consubstantiation, others reject the concept because it substitutes what they believe to be the biblical doctrine with a philosophical construct and implies, in their view, a natural, local inclusion of the body and blood of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine of the eucharist.^[3]

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 survived up until the time of the English Reformation.

Footnotes and references

1. ^ F.L. Cross, ed., The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, second edition, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1974), 340 sub loco.
2. ^ Weimar Ausgabe 26, 442; Luther's Works 37, 299-300.
3. ^ J.T. Mueller, hristian Dogmatics: A Handbook of Doctrinal Theology, (St. Louis: CPH, 1934), 519; cf. also Erwin L. Lueker, Christian Cyclopedia, (St. Louis: CPH, 1975), under the entry "consubstantiation."

See also

• Eucharistic theologies contrasted
• Impanation
• Real Presence
• Sacramental union

External links

• Entry on "Consubstantiation" in the Christian Cyclopedia