Transubstantiation is the belief held by Catholics that during the Eucharist, the bread and wine used for Communion become the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. The Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation affirms that while the appearances of the bread and wine remain the same, their substance changes to become the real presence of the body and blood of Christ.
This belief is based on Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels and 1 Corinthians 11:23-25. In these passages, Jesus takes bread and wine and identifies them as his body and blood, telling his disciples to partake of them in remembrance of him. The Catholic Church interprets these words literally – that the bread and wine transform into the actual body and blood of Christ, even though their outward appearances remain unchanged.
The doctrine of transubstantiation was formulated and given dogmatic definition at the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215. It states that when a priest consecrates the Eucharist, a change occurs in the “whole substance” of the bread and wine, while the appearances remain. The accidents, such as taste, color, shape, and texture, stay the same, but the underlying reality (the substance) becomes the body and blood of Christ.
Thomas Aquinas, the influential medieval theologian and philosopher, provided extensive theological support and explanation for transubstantiation. He utilized Aristotelian philosophical concepts to explain how the substance could change while the accidents remain the same. For Aquinas, transubstantiation is a miracle preformed by God through the instrumentality of the priest. The accidents continue to exist without inhering in any substance at all.
The doctrine of transubstantiation has been a point of contention between Catholics and Protestants since the Reformation. Most Protestant traditions reject transubstantiation and instead hold to some form of symbolism – that the bread and wine remain as such, but spiritually represent or memorialize the body and blood of Christ. The differences on this doctrine were a major factor leading to the divisions between Protestant reformers like Martin Luther and Huldrych Zwingli and the Catholic hierarchy.
Transubstantiation is considered a key doctrine in Catholic theology and practice. It is tied to the belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. For Catholics, participating in the Eucharist allows them to receive Christ spiritually and be brought into communion with him. The metaphysical change that occurs is understood as a miracle and mystery that is accepted by faith.
The doctrine of transubstantiation continues to be central to Catholic Eucharistic theology today. However, it remains controversial and rejected by Protestants. The philosophical concepts undergirding it have also been critiqued by modern thinkers. Ongoing dialogue between Catholic and Protestant traditions continues to discuss their remaining differences on this doctrine.
Here are some key Bible verses that relate to transubstantiation and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist:
Matthew 26:26-28 (ESV): “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Mark 14:22-24 (ESV): “And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”
Luke 22:19-20 (ESV): “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (ESV): “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
John 6:53-58 (ESV): “So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
The key points from these passages are:
– Jesus identifies the bread and wine as his actual body and blood.
– Jesus commands the disciples to eat and drink of them.
– Jesus links partaking of his body and blood to having eternal life.
– Paul also recounts Jesus’ words establishing this connection.
– Jesus emphasizes in John 6 the importance of eating his flesh and drinking his blood.
Catholics interpret these verses to support the doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist through transubstantiation. The substance of the bread and wine becoming Jesus’ body and blood even while their appearances remain.
Protestants offer alternate interpretations. Some see the language as symbolic, others argue Jesus was not instituting an ongoing Eucharistic practice but rather using metaphor. The meaning of these disputed Bible passages continues to be debated between Catholic and Protestant traditions.
Beyond specific verses, broader biblical themes relevant to transubstantiation include:
Sacrifice – The Eucharist as making present Christ’s once for all sacrifice on the cross.
Covenant – The Eucharist as instituting the new covenant in Jesus’ blood.
Memorial – The Eucharist as a memorial of Jesus’ death.
Presence – God’s presence embodied among his people.
Worship – Reverence given to God’s presence.
Table Fellowship – Communion with God/unity of believers.
These concepts underlie how Catholics view the Eucharist. The doctrine of transubstantiation is aimed at affirming the real presence of Jesus as an object of worship and medium of grace.
In summary, transubstantiation is the Catholic belief that the bread and wine in the Eucharist become the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ, while their appearances remain the same. This miraculous change is understood to occur through the priestly consecration, in fulfillment of Jesus’ words at the Last Supper. Transubstantiation has been a divisive doctrine between Catholics and Protestants, with intense theological debate over its legitimacy. While controversial, it remains a central Catholic teaching with the aim of affirming the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The key Bible passages Catholics use to support this doctrine emphasize Jesus identifying the bread and wine as his body and blood and commanding the disciples to partake of them.