Sacrifice and SacramentIt is a quarter of a century since I last undertook an investigation of the institution of sacrifice in the light of the anthropological, archaeological and documentary evidence then available. Since then the cultus has constantly been under review. Most modern investigation, especially that into the very closely allied principle of sacrament, has been in terms of Christian theological conceptions and interpretations: this is hardly surprising, since the self-offering of Christ as a propitiatory victim, together with the Incarnation, has always been a cardinal doctrine of a faith finding expression in a sacrificial tradition and a sacramental system. This theological approach has meant that the very considerable literature has largely concentrated on the doctrinal, apologetic and devotional aspects of sacrifice in their Christian manifestations and interpretations, and little, if any, reference has been made to the context in which the institution emerged, and to the long and complex history that lies behind what are, after all, higher and specialized spiritual developments. -- Preface. |
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altar anamnesis ancient animal appears Assyria Atonement Baptism became become blood body called carried celebrated centre century ceremonies Christ Christian Church common conception consecration continued crops cult custom dead death developed divine doctrine earth effect essentially established Eucharist evil expiation expression fact faith feast fertility festival figure fire first-fruits followed functions give given goddess gods grave hand harvest head Hebrew held Holy human human sacrifice influences initiation institution interpretation Israel king later libations liturgy living maintained Mass means mortuary nature oblation offering original performed period person practice Prayer priest priesthood principle probably regarded relation Religion removed renewal represented rite ritual royal sacramental sacred sacrificed sacrificial significance sins soul Spirit status substitute suffering suggest supply symbol taken temple tion tomb tradition vegetation victim vital worship Yahweh