Date
5-20-2026
Degree
Master of Arts in Biblical Languages (MA)
Chair
Benjamin Laird
Keywords
Bread of life, Christology, Ontology, Diachronic, Exegesis, Exegetical, Sacramental, Interpretation, John, Johannine, Chapter 6, 6:53, 6:54, Living Bread, Flesh, Blood, Eternal Life, Eucharist, transubstantiation, Protestant, Catholic, Roman Catholic, Greek, Koine Greek, Redaction, Historical Reception, ante-Nicene, post-Nicene, Carolingian, Radbertus, Ratramnus, Council of Trent, Authorship, Date, Purpose for writing, Literary Structure, Johannine Themes, Greek Style
Disciplines
Christianity | History
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Andrew R., "From Christology to Ontology: A Diachronic and Exegetical Evaluation of a Maximalist Sacramental Interpretation of John 6:51–58" (2026). Masters Theses. 1488.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/masters/1488
Abstract
John 6:51–58 occupies a central place in the debate regarding the ontological nature of the Eucharist, frequently serving as a primary scriptural warrant for sacramental realism such as articulated by the Council of Trent as it concerns the dogma of transubstantiation within the Roman Catholic tradition. This thesis conducts both an evaluation of historical reception and a critical exegetical analysis to determine whether the Evangelist’s primary intent was to establish sacramental doctrine in this passage or to further develop already pervasive Johannine soteriological and christological themes.
Methodologically, this study bridges the gap between historical reception and synchronic exegesis. The first major section provides a diachronic survey of the passage’s historical reception, tracing the evolution of interpretation from ante-Nicene perspectives through to the ninth-century Carolingian eucharistic controversies—specifically examining the works of Paschasius Radbertus and Ratramnus of Corbie. The second major section shifts to a rigorous exegetical analysis of the sixth chapter, arguing for the literary and structural unity of the Bread of Life discourse. By challenging the prevalent redactional frameworks that treat these verses as a later, secondary addition, this thesis demonstrates that to eat and drink Christ's flesh and blood is a metaphorical intensification of the requirement for persistent and continuous faith in the incarnate and crucified Lord while at the same time respecting secondary allusions to the eucharistic meal.
The findings suggest that a "maximalist sacramental" reading, while historically significant, introduces significant interpretive tension with the Fourth Gospel’s consistent emphasis on belief as the primary means of attaining eternal life. Consequently, this study concludes that John 6:51–58 should not be viewed as a foundational text for ontological sacramental definitions, but as a climactic christological revelation.
