A Real Presence: Religious and Social Dynamics of the Eucharistic Conflicts in Early Modern Augsburg, 1520–1530 by Joel Van Amberg (review)

Abstract

A Real Presence: Religious and Social Dynamics of Eucharistic Conflicts in Early Modern Augsburg, 1520-1530. By Joel Van Amberg. [Studies in History of Christian Traditions, Vol. 158.] (Leiden: Brill. 2012. Pp. x, 270. $143.00. ISBN 978-90-04-21698-3.)The Eucharistic Controversy was perhaps most significant crisis to afflict early Protestantism, leading to division between Lutherans and reformed Protestants. In this study of controversy in Augsburg, Joel Van Amberg presents laity as critical arbiters in struggle over doctrine. Opposition to Catholic and Lutheran views on sacrament-what author deems anti-corporealism-represented a rejection of series of overlapping, mutually reinforcing hierarchies (p. 4), and political, that came to dominate social, economic, and political life in late-medieval Augsburg. The revolutionary implications of anti-corporealism ensured, however, that it could never become dominant faith within city. Rather, by 1530, author maintains, sectarian groups had already begun move toward Anabaptism, redefining themselves around rejection of infant baptism rather than real presence.There is much about thesis that is attractive, but serious problems emerge on close examination of case studies that form core of book. A key figure is Hans Schilling, a radical who encouraged revolution ideas in minds of some of his congregants by providing them with religious vocabulary through which to express their discontent (pp. 56-57). The problem is, we do not know what Schilling actually said. None of his sermons survived, and comments preserved in chronicles and other sources-themselves very few in number- refer to Schilling's behavior rather than his words. Consequently, author can only speculate on content of sermons. We are told that the first chapters of Luke provide some passages for a fiery populist preacher (p. 59). These are enumerated, but there is no evidence that Schilling actually preached on these irresistible passages. Indeed, author discusses revolutionary content of Luke 6 all while admitting that Schilling would never get chance to preach beyond chapter three (p. 59). A report that Schilling engaged in insulting (p. 63) about reserving host in ciborium is used as evidence of his anticorporealist theology even though details of this talk are lacking. Schilling was supposed to have cut up a radish and distributed it to a group of people at a dinner in mockery of sacrament. This act is provided as evidence of Schilling's views on Eucharist, although author admits that this story only appears in a seventeenth-century text and is not corroborated by any contemporary source. …