Eucharystia w badaniach teologicznych ks. Jerzego Klingera. Aspekt paschalny

Abstract

As the starting point of his theological investigations on the Eucharist prof. Jerzy (George) Klinger (1976) accepts the biblical understanding of the “memorial”. Utilizing the conclusions of contemporary theologians’ researches (M. Thurian, O. Cullmann, A. Schmemann and others) J. Klinger reminds us that their biblical context the words “memory”, “remembrance”, “memorial” (the Greek: “anamnesis”, Hebrew: “zikkaron”) has a much wider and deeper significance than in present-day usage. In this connection the Eucharistic memorial should be understood as objectively made present, a presence which causes the fulfilment of the sacrament. The biblical meaning of anamnesis also permits J. Klinger to show that the Eucharist is truly a sacrifice. To preserve the truth of the unique character of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, the question of the Eucharist as sacrifice should be handled in theology dialectically and dynamically. Only then will it be possible to seriously narrow the gap between the Orthodox-Catholic and evangelical positions in their understanding of the mystery of the Eucharist in the works of prof. J. Klinger his discovery of the biblical-patristic roots in understanding the Eucharist as a resurrection experience is invaluable. Referring to the hypothesis of O. Cullmann on the two currents of the Eucharistic experience of the early Christians, J. Klinger eucharistically interprets the encounters of the risen Christ with the apostles. In his researches he shows that the Eastern eucharistie liturgy is a continuation of this eucharistie current of the primitive Church, which emerges from encounters of the apostles with the risen Lord. In this way he explains the fact why Orthodox spirituality sees in the Eucharist, above all else, the resurrection experience.