20 Answers - Eucharist

by Trent Horn

The Bread of Life

How do non-Catholic views of the Eucharist differ from the Catholic belief?

If the Eucharist contains the physical presence of Christ’s body and blood, doesn’t that mean Catholics who eat it are cannibals

Is the Bread of Life discourse in John 6 evidence for the Real Presence?

What did the early Church Fathers believe about the Eucharist?

In this booklet you’ll find smart, solid answers to these questions and many more. 20 Answers: The Eucharist will help you understand the main arguments for and against the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

The 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers offers hard facts, powerful arguments, and clear explanations of the most important topics facing the Church and the world—all in a compact, easy-to-read package. Check out dozens of other topics in the 20 Answers Series of booklets published by Catholic Answers Press.

Genres: Catholic, Religion

64 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2017

About the author

After his conversion to the Catholic faith, Trent Horn pursued an undergraduate degree in history from Arizona State University. He then earned a graduate degree in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in philosophy from Holy Apostles College.

Trent is a regular guest on the radio program Catholic Answers Live, a lecturer who speaks across the country on issues related to the Catholic faith, and the author of two books, Answering Atheism and Persuasive Pro-life.

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trent Horn wrote almost half of the 20 Answers series books. But this is the first of his that I have read. This lent I am doing the 20 Answers Challenge from Catholic Answers Series. This book in particular and the series in general are great reads. And if the other books by Horn in the series are as good they will be excellent reads as well. But back to this specific book, the sections in this book are:

1. What does the Catholic Church teach about the Eucharist?
2. How do non-Catholic views of the Eucharist differ from the Catholic belief?
3. Why do Catholics believe the Eucharist is the physical body and blood of Christ when it looks exactly like bread and wine?
4. If the Eucharist contains the physical presence of Christ’s body and blood, doesn’t that mean Catholics who eat it are cannibals?
5. Wasn’t Jesus commanding the apostles to host a perpetual memorial dinner in his honor instead of commanding them to literally eat his body and blood?
6. Is the Bread of Life discourse in John 6 evidence for the Real Presence?
7. What are some common objections to the biblical evidence for the Eucharist?
8. What did the early Church Fathers believe about the Eucharist?
9. Was the Eucharist copied from pagan religions?
10. Why do Catholics sacrifice Christ in the form of the Eucharist when Scripture plainly teaches that Christ has been sacrificed “once and for all”?
11. What happens when the Eucharist is consecrated at Mass?
12. Under what circumstances can Catholics receive the Eucharist?
13. How should we receive the Eucharist?
14. How should unconsumed eucharistic elements be disposed of? What should be done if the body or blood of the Lord is spilled or coughed up?
15. Can non-Catholics receive the Eucharist?
16. What kind of bread and wine can be used at Mass?
17. What did the Second Vatican Council teach about the Eucharist?
18. What is eucharistic adoration?
19. Have there been miracles involving the Eucharist?
20. How can I develop a greater devotion to the Eucharist?

I cannot think of anything more distinctive than the Catholic view on the Eucharist. From the introduction Horn clearly iterates this centrality and also the vehement opposition to the Catholic view. In the first chapter Trent states: “Like baptism or confession, the Eucharist is a sacrament—an outward expression of an inward reception of grace. The Catechism teaches that “The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being” (CCC 1325). However, the Eucharist differs from the other sacraments in an important way because it “is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.’ The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it” (CCC 1324).” Having recently read 1001 Reasons Why It's Great to Be Catholic! by Robert M. Haddad, Which documents numerous miracles surrounding the Eucharist, Horn however focuses on 5 spanning from the 8th century to 2001.

But this book is not just history. It is about drawing closer to God, and how the Eucharist can and should be key in that process. Horn shows common arguments against the Catholic beliefs, and he refutes them, from scripture, and early church writings. The main chapters for this would be ‘What is Eucharistic adoration?’ and ‘How Can I develop a greater devotion to the Eucharist?’ The book is worth the read even if just for the information in these two chapters. In a book that contains 52 pages of text there are over 85 quotes from the Catechism, church documents, Christian authors, councils and more.

This book was another excellent read in this series. I highly recommend the book and the whole series. They will help you grow in understanding of your faith and in how to defend it. Consider taking the challenge and read all 20 books it will change your life!

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books from Catholic Answers.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book for free after adoration at my sister's youth group and thought I'd read it so that I can finish my reading challenge. This is more of a book for people who don't know very much about the Eucharist, but I enjoyed the refresher and found the last few questions, about how to have a greater love for the Eucharist and miracles with the Eucharist, very helpful.

[Kate Hendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is yet another great addition to the 20 Answers series. Horn starts the booklet by addressing oppositions to the Real Presence ranging from misunderstandings from Protestants to accusations like consuming the Eucharist is cannibalism. He then explains some practices surrounding the Eucharist and concludes with how Catholics can show a greater devotion to the Eucharist. What I really liked about this booklet was it provided insight both from an apologetics standpoint and from the perspective of a faithful Catholic seeking to better appreciate this beautiful gift. As with other works by Horn, his points are well-supported with evidence from Scripture, the early church, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The responses in this book were written clearly and intelligently. My one criticism is there were a few sentences where it seemed like there was an extra word or two. These are incredibly minor errors and do not detract from the overall readability of this booklet. I recommend this booklet to any Christian, Catholic or non-Catholic, because there is content anyone can benefit from.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

20 Answers: the Eucharist by Trent Horn is a well-written introduction to one of the most important tenements of the Roman Catholic faith. Mr. Horn does a good job of explaining the official Church Doctrine on what the Eucharist is(and what it certainly isn't), and its role in the life of the Church.

[Christopher Moellering · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good primer on the Eucharist.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting overview to read as a Protestant. I would be interested in knowing the development of this doctrine over the ages.

[Tyler Carter Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nice overview of the Eucharist for those who know little about it.

[Kiaya Acuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trent Horn gets straight to the point on how and why the Catholic articulation of The Eucharist is true.

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