„Barth, Luther und die dramatische Realpräsenz Christi im Abendmahl“, in: Evangelische Theologie 74/6 (2014), 438-447.

Abstract:

How are we to understand the »real presence« of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion? The article investigates Karl Barth’s wrestling (in 1923) with Martin Luther’s many writings on this important and complicated topic. Barth is torn between admiration and shock. Is Luther’s understanding a convincing witness to faith and trust in revelation – or is it an expression of an almost »demonic vitality«? The article shows that Luther perceives the dramatic union of the presence of Christ in the full power of the Holy Spirit and his incarnational humility in identifying his bodily presence »for us« in life-sustaining bread and wine.