Mystical Body
Henri de Lubac's groundbreaking historical study emerged from the theological ferment of mid-twentieth-century France, where Catholic scholars were recovering patristic and medieval sources while engaging modern challenges to ecclesiology. Writing during the Second World War, de Lubac undertook a meticulous investigation into how the phrase "mystical body" had evolved in meaning from the early Church through the medieval period, tracing a profound shift in Christian understanding of the relationship between Christ, the Eucharist, and the Church.
The work demonstrates how "corpus mysticum" originally referred to the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist, while "corpus verum" designated Christ's historical body and the Church was understood as "corpus Christi." Through careful analysis of patristic and medieval texts, de Lubac shows how these designations gradually reversed: by the high Middle Ages, "corpus mysticum" had come to mean the Church itself, while the Eucharist was increasingly seen as Christ's "true body." This semantic transformation reflected deeper theological developments, including growing emphasis on the real presence in eucharistic theology and evolving conceptions of ecclesiastical authority. De Lubac argues that this shift, while containing legitimate insights, also contributed to an unfortunate separation between sacramental and ecclesial theology that impoverished both.
The study proved influential in twentieth-century Catholic theology, informing conciliar discussions about the nature of the Church and contributing to renewed appreciation for the intrinsic connection between Eucharist and ecclesiology. De Lubac's historical method became a model for resourcement theology, demonstrating how careful attention to the development of Christian language and concepts could illuminate contemporary theological questions. His work continues to shape Catholic sacramental theology and ecumenical discussions about church unity.
Who should read this: Scholars of historical theology, medievalists studying the development of Christian doctrine, and theologians working in ecclesiology or sacramental theology will find this essential. This is not introductory reading but rather a technical historical study requiring familiarity with Latin sources and theological terminology.