For the reader who is curious of how the early church fathers understood sacraments (in this case, baptism, confirmation and Holy Eucharist) and time (the Christian week and year), I encourage them to read The Bible and Liturgy. Being a Jesuit priest, Jean D'Aleneanielou S.J. does a terrific job exploring how the Church fathers interpreted the aspects of the Christian life, sacraments and time, and how the early church implemented them in the their local contexts. Danielou uses two methods to deliver the body of this book. First, as mentioned above, he recovers a plethora of Church fathers theological understanding of sacraments and time. The author reaches the East as well as West when looking at different theological liturgies. To put it bluntly, the author covers many Church fathers: Origen, Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Pseudo-Dionysius, St. Basil, St. Gregory of Nazianzen, and St. Gregory of Nyssa. The second driving force was emphasis on typology. Danielou believed that Christ was the center of all things; therefore the realities found in the Old Testament are actually “figures of the New” (4). This understanding, according to Danielou, provides the individual and the Church with good theology. Coming from an evangelical tradition, many of the concepts in this book did not align with my liturgical upbringing. This being the case, I found many of the concepts fascinating – specifically the sphragis. This sign of the cross giving to the newly baptized believer provided a seal on the head of the new convert—an invisible tattoo of sorts. Danielou drives this practice home suggesting that circumcision is actually a typology for this new sign, the sphragis. “… for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus on my body,” says Paul in Galatians 6:14-15. (Other fascinating chapters included: Types of Baptism; Crossing of the Red Sea/Elias and the Jordan and Confirmation.) Two things I am still wrestling with while reading this chapter: first, when do Church theologians have the privilege to place a typology on Old Testament scripture and when are we doing violence to the text. After reading sections of St. Ephrem the Syrian’s book, Hymns on Paradise, I was amazed how the scriptures of Old Testament and New Testament intertwined so poetically. Daniel seems to be excited about this kind of literary conversation the early Church fathers embraced. Personally, when can I make a good judgment call? Would it not be easy to prove any theological position on any subject by taking this approach? One thing is for sure; great responsibility is given us as we explore the typologies found in the Old (and New) Testaments. And again, here is my evangelical background speaking here… please forgive when necessary… but when do we not give a practice a sacramental diagnosis. I have heard the definition of a sacrament as simple as “God doing something behind the scenes.” In one sense, could we not say that God is always doing something behind the scenes? Many could say that all things are sacramental. Danielou defines sacramental theology as, “…a real participation in the grace of Christ, by a sacramental imitation of His life” (118). I must be honest, here is one place my liturgical theology still needs to grow! After reading this hefty book and gaining a huge amount of respect for the author, I am sure that my understanding of the early church fathers and their early theological understanding is just a drop in the bucket. I have a great amount of respect or Jean Danielou S.J. This book has been beneficial as I continue to try to develop my sacramental theology on baptism and Eucharist. The early church was at a wonderful place where they could explore new liturgical practice. If the reader is ready for a commentary style read on the sacraments, pick up this book and dive in deep. Because of its depth, this book requires of me a re-read to fully grasp the sacramental theology of our Church fathers. Danielou, Jean. The Bible and the Liturgy. University of Notre Dame Press: Indiana, 2011.
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Book ReviewsWhen writing these reviews I am considering four specific conversations: first, a basic overview of the book, second, a reflection of an idea or two that impacted me the most, third, something that puzzled me from the reading, and finally, an idea from the reading that I could implement in my ministry context. Archives
November 2012
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