Welcome to The Eucharist as a Theme throughout Sacred Scripture.

In this online course, we contemplate the Eucharist—sometimes called (Holy) Communion—as a common and central practice throughout Christianity. In the Catholic Church, it is often described as the source and summit of our faith, and the ‘real presence’ of Christ in our midst. Throughout Sacred Scripture, there are many stories in which we find God making himself present in one way or another to his people. So also, we find many stories of God providing for his people, whether their needs are material (food, shelter) situational (protection from aggressors) or spiritual (forgiveness of sins). Why then did our Lord institute the Eucharist? Given the numerous ways He could provide, why does He do so in this manner? What does this gift give those who receive it that another gift does not, and how does it do so?

Although the story of Christ’s institution of the Eucharist takes place in the New Testament, we will find that the Old Testament already presents the Eucharist as a major theological theme long before Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks, and breaks it. In this course, we investigate this theme and search out answers to the questions above and others like them, by looking at various passages in both the Old and New Testaments expounding the significance of the Eucharist as a mystery that is something, that performs something, and that establishes something in the world.

This course consists of 5 lessons, each including a two-hour video and supplemental study notes. If you have any questions, please email the teacher at [email protected]

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome to The Eucharist as a Theme throughout Sacred Scripture

    • Course Description

    • About the Instructor

  • 2

    Session 1

    • Eucharist Syllabus

    • Eucharist Session 1 Handout

    • Eucharist Session 1 Video

  • 3

    Session 2

    • Eucharist Session 2 Handout

    • Eucharist Session 2 Video

  • 4

    Session 3

    • Eucharist Session 3 Handout

    • Eucharist Session 3 Video

  • 5

    Session 4

    • Eucharist Session 4 Handout

    • Eucharist Session 4 Video

  • 6

    Session 5

    • Eucharist Session 5 Handout

    • Appendix: Scriptures in the Mass

    • Eucharist Session 5 Video

Instructor

Associate Teacher

Chad Steiner

Chad completed his undergraduate studies in Philosophy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln while studying the biblical languages and biblical introduction and interpretation on the side. Following graduation, he taught with his father at a small Bible institute in Lincoln for a number of years before moving to England with his wife Kacy to begin graduate work in biblical studies. Upon their return to Lincoln in 2005, Chad resumed teaching and writing full time with the institute where he remained until its closure in 2013. His interests lie especially in cultivating Christian unity, and in sharing the task of interpreting Sacred Scripture with Christians across denominational lines. He and his family were received into the Church at the Easter Vigil at St. Peter in 2011. Since then he has enjoyed singing in the choir and helping as an occasional catechist for the RCIA program at the parish. He and Kacy have eight children, two dogs, two guinea pigs, a rabbit, and many Legos.