Sacramental Theology in Patristic Biblical Interpretation

Sacramental Theology in Patristic Biblical Interpretation by Michael Young explores the theological underpinnings of sacramental practices in the early Christian Church, examining how the Church Fathers interpreted the Bible in relation to the sacraments. The book delves into the ways in which early Christian thinkers like Irenaeus, Augustine, Athanasius, and others developed and systematized the understanding of sacraments such as baptism, the Eucharist, and penance, drawing connections between scripture and liturgical practice. By analyzing the biblical foundations for sacramental theology, Young explores how the Fathers' interpretations shaped Christian identity, ecclesiology, and pastoral care. The book offers a deep examination of key theological debates and the ways the early Church viewed the sacraments not just as rituals, but as essential means of grace, participation in the divine, and unity within the Christian community. From the writings of early Christian apologists to the theological controversies of the fourth and fifth centuries, Sacramental Theology in Patristic Biblical Interpretation provides a scholarly look at the intersection of biblical exegesis and sacramental life in the formation of Christian doctrine.