Inkarnationens hur Kristologi och eukaristi hos Kyrillos av Alexandria och Martin Luther

Abstract

In this essay, I have examined and discussed the similarities and differences between christology in the thought of Cyril of Alexandria and Martin Luther, and further, to what extent Luther may have been influenced by Cyril in his doctrines of christology and Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. By reading texts written by Cyril as well as by Luther, I have tried to describe the position of each of the theologian’s. In the next step, I compared the thoughts of Cyril and Luther, and tried to show on both similarities and differences. I have found that Luther, in his emphasis on the union of Christ and way of describing the precence of Christ in the Eucharist, shows great similarities with Cyril. But at the same time Luther deepens and develops the position of Cyril, and do so on several occasions. There is also differences in the way of describing the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. While Cyril is more interested to see the the necessary connecition of the incarnate Christ and the Christ who is present in the bread and the wine, Luther speaks of this as three different types of presence. One of these Luther speaks about as Christ’s real presence, a significant part of Luther’s Christology. The similarities between Cyril and Luther, in the way of speaking about the union of the divine and the human nature in Christ make it clear that both Cyril and Luther can talk about Virgin Mary as the Mother of God, more accurate; Virgin Mary is the Mother of God. This shows on an insight in the thought of Cyril as well as in the thought of Luther that Christ in becoming a man like us, but without knowing sin conquered death. This is communicated by Christ through his presence in the Eucharist. Because of this we can speak of the Eucharist as the medicine of immortality.