Presence as Marked by Absence

Overview

This book is a critical study of the sacramental theology of Louis-Marie Chauvet especially in relation to the interpretation of Eucharistic presence. It presents how although formed in the classical scholastic theological tradition as a young seminarian and a priest, Chauvet soon became an heir of the fruits of the Liturgical Movement, La nouvelle theologie, and the liturgical and sacramental renewal of Vatican II. Consequently, deeply convinced of and moved by the cultural and epistemological mutation of contemporary modern society, he daringly supersedes the traditional theological methods and categories and enters into dialogue with contemporary philosophy and human sciences to reinterpret Christian existence for contemporary times through a fundamental theology of the sacraments. His approach is characterized by a creative fidelity to the biblical, patristic and liturgical tradition of the church and attempts a valid contribution towards reflecting the mystery of the Eucharist under the paradigm of 'Presence' as marked by 'the presence of absence.