Samuel Torvend

Rather than focusing on personal transformation, Fr. Torvend examines the role of the Eucharist as a way of transforming society. This book examines how the church's mission to the world is based on a proper understanding of the Mass and the Eucharist. His basic thrust is that the Eucharist is meant to lead Christians into mission in the world. As an Episcopal priest, this book is sensitive to the ways in which all Christians celebrate the Eucharist, though he does favor the Eucharistic show more experience of liturgical churches. Fr. Torvend weaves current research in economics to explain how a proper theology of the Eucharist can provide a challenge to Christians who are dissatisfied with elements within our current society. One deficit of this book is that his ideas of social transformation tend to be limited to the economic sphere. It would have been interesting to see the same methodology applied to other social issues. However, this is a minor criticism in an intriguing book. One helpful element of this book is that it includes three sample sermons in which he shows how his proposal can be applied to parish ministry. This book is appropriate for Parish and College libraries. show less