At this week’s Theological Research Seminar, Jonathan Boerger will be presenting, “The Spirit of Communion & The Sacramental Cosmos: A Pentecostal-Charismatic Pneumatology of the Eucharistic Constitution of the Body of Christ.” Read the abstract and his bio below.
All are welcome to attend in Hurlburt Hall (room 136) at McMaster Divinity College at 1:00pm or via livestream at the link below:
Join the Livestream
Password: z00m (Note that the password has zeros rather than “o”)
Abstract
Countering the popular perception that Pentecostals are non-liturgical and anti-sacramental, this paper aims to integrate sacramental practices and ecumenical perspectives. It argues that through the Spirit’s liminal, constitutive, and consummational work in the world (the sacramental cosmos), the life-giving, transformative presence of the body and blood of Christ may be encountered at any time, during any meal, involving any food. In short, the Holy Spirit may lead the church to appropriately celebrate the Eucharist in both formal institutional contexts and informal everyday settings. This paper first considers salient theological points arising from historical and liturgical studies of the early Church. Next, it engages ecumenical and P/c perspectives regarding the notion of a sacramental cosmos, the reality of Christ, and the role of the Holy Spirit in mediating Creator to creation with special attention to the Eucharist. Finally, the institutive and constitutive roles of Christ and the Holy Spirit (respectively) are discussed, and the framework of the liminal, constitutive, and consummational activity of the Spirit in relation to the Eucharist is explored.
Bio
Jonathan Boerger has been involved in various aspects of Christian ministry for nearly 20 years. He and his wife currently help lead a church community in Kitchener, Ontario, where they live with their three children. Jonathan’s research interests include theologies of atonement and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. His dissertation focuses on integrating theology and psychological traumatology, applied to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
About TRS
The MDC Theological Research Seminar (TRS) is a bimonthly gathering for all MDC students and faculty. TRS meets over the lunch hour on Wednesdays, and includes about thirty minutes for the paper presentation and twenty minutes for discussion.
All advanced degree students are invited to present a paper and share your research with your colleagues. TRS is an excellent opportunity to “test drive” a paper you will be presenting at an upcoming conference and receive helpful feedback on your current research projects. Thinking about submitting an article to a journal and want some interaction first? TRS will provide it. Just published an article or an essay and want to share it us? TRS is an excellent opportunity to broadcast it.
This year the organizing committee consists of Dr. Francis Pang, Dr. Wendy Porter, and Dr. Steve Studebaker. To submit a paper, contact a member of the organizing committee.