Baptism, Eucharist, Ministry: In One Body through the Cross

How has historic Christianity understood the relationship between membership in the Church and Christian unity? And how have Christians in the West understood the unity of the Church and her sacraments in the wake of 16th-century schisms? Students in this course will examine Scripture and the history of Christian thought on the matter of the Church as a baptismal and eucharistic body under the sign of grace/election. Special emphasis is placed on the achievements of the ecumenical movement in the 20th century—in terms of concrete steps toward unity and their theological rationale, and in terms of the persistent exhortations to communion, repentance, forgiveness, and even martyrdom that more than ever occupy a central place in ecumenical literature. Lectures, seminar discussions. Attendance (10%), readings (with required worksheets – 25%), discussion (25%), and a final essay in two-parts, totaling 15 pages (40%)