by: Michael Patrick Barber

series: Catholic Biblical Theology of the Sacraments, A

• Format

  Paperback

  ISBN

  9781540960993

  Dimensions

  6 x 9

  Pub. Date

  Jul 2025

  SRP

  $22.99

  Carton Quantity

  36

  Number of pages

  272

  Buy

About

The Catholic Biblical Theology of the Sacraments series provides readers with a deeper appreciation of God's gifts and call in the sacraments through a renewed encounter with God's Word. In this addition to the series, Michael Barber offers a biblical approach to anointing of the sick, drawing from both the Old and New Testaments.

This book unpacks the riches of the Scriptures to explain what true healing in Christ involves. In addition, Barber demonstrates how an exegetical approach to the sacrament can advance our understanding of it. Topics include the biblical significance of oil; the relationship of physical healing and spiritual healing, including the forgiveness of sins; sin and death; Christ as the New Adam; the continuation of Jesus's ministry in the church; the power of sacral anointing; Christ's fulfillment of messianic hopes; and participation in Christ's royal, priestly, and prophetic mission. The book is suitable for classroom use and parish ministry.

Series editors Timothy C. Gray and John Sehorn teach at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, and Gray is also president of the Augustine Institute.

List of Sidebars
Series Preface
1. Introduction: The Bible and the Anointing of the Sick
The Aims of This Study
Theology versus "Theologianology"
New Light on Anointing of the Sick
2. James's Instructions and Christian Tradition: Questions about the Theology of the Anointing of the Sick
Core Questions about Anointing the Sick in James 5
James 5 and Anointing the Sick in the Early Church
Debates over Anointing the Sick and Recent Developments
3. The Lord of Life and the Significance of Oil: Christ as the Source of Healing
The Lord as the Life-Giving God
The Lord and the "Oil of Gladness"
Jesus as Lord and Anointing the Sick in James
4. Sin, Death, and the Hope for the Oil of Mercy: The New Adam and the Return to Eden
Sin and Death
Exile from God's Presence as Death
Christ as the New Adam and the Hope for the Oil of Mercy
5. Healing and the Forgiveness of Sins: Salvation for the Sick
Sickness and Sin in Jewish Sources
Healing and Forgiveness of Sins in Jesus's Ministry
The "Salvation" of the Sick in James 5
6. The Elders and the Continuation of Jesus's Ministry: Christ's Work and the Ministers of Anointing
The Elders as Church Leaders
Jesus's Intention to Install New Leaders over God's People
Jesus's Ministry through the Church in Acts
The Elders in James
7. Kings, Priests, and Prophets as Anointed Ones: The Power of Sacral Anointing
Kings as Anointed Ones
Priests as Anointed Ones
Prophets as Anointed Ones
8. Jesus as the Anointed King, Priest, and Prophet: Christ's Fulfillment of Messianic Hopes
Jesus as the Royal Messiah
Jesus as Messianic Heavenly High Priest
Jesus as Messianic Prophet
9. Believers as "Anointed Ones" in Christ: Participation in Christ's Royal, Priestly, and Prophetic Mission
Anointed in the Anointed One
Participation in Christ's Royal Reign
Participation in Christ's Priesthood
Participation in Christ's Prophetic Mission
10. Anointing of the Sick and Participation in Christ's Threefold Mission: A Biblical Reframing of the Sacrament's Effects
Anointed to Share in Christ's Priestly Sacrifice
Anointed to Share in Christ's Reign over Sin and Death
Anointed to Share in Christ's Prophetic Mission
Conclusion: Healing as Conformity to Christ
The Proper Recipients and Ministers of the Sacrament
The Significance of Oil in Anointing of the Sick
The Healing Effected in Anointing of the Sick
Suggested Resources
Indexes

Endorsements

"Michael Barber's splendid treatment of the biblical foundations of the sacrament of the anointing of the sick demonstrates how this sacrament actualizes the believer's participation in Christ's royal, priestly, and prophetic identity. With scholarly rigor and spiritual sensitivity, Barber presents a deeply compelling proclamation of Christ as the true physician of our souls and bodies."

Khaled Anatolios, John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame

"Michael Barber offers a much-needed, exhaustive study of the sacrament of anointing of the sick. Taking cues from the traditional biblical markers of James 5 and Mark 6:13, Barber explores the ritual from every aspect, seamlessly integrating the wisdom of Church Fathers with contemporary scholarly insight. Understanding anointing and 'the Anointed One' as the heart of the gospel message, he argues incisively for the sacramental effects of diverse participation in Christ's mission in the world."

Sherri Brown, professor of New Testament, Creighton University

"Michael Barber's new book on the anointing of the sick, without departing from its first task, emerges delightfully as a biblical theology gathered around its main theme. Readers are treated not only to a masterful exegesis of Mark 6, James 5, and other pertinent texts but also to a biblical, patristic, and ecclesial treatment of interrelated topics--faith and sacrament, sin and death, exile and the mercy of God, sacral and remedial uses of oil, and how those who are ill are anointed witness to their participation in Christ as prophets, priests, and kings. Its deliberate context within Roman Catholic theology and teaching makes it particularly helpful for the Catholic reader, but Orthodox and Protestants will also benefit from Barber's generous and trenchant insights, even where these clarify differences with their own communities."

Edith M. Humphrey, William F. Orr Professor Emerita of New Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

"Michael Patrick Barber has contributed a fascinating volume to Baker Academic's distinguished series A Catholic Biblical Theology of the Sacraments. Barber's profound exploration challenges us to think about anointing of the sick more biblically. This exemplary work of theology leads us into the biblical vision of being anointed in Jesus Christ the Lord, our King, Priest, and Prophet, for our healing. Highly recommended!"

Andrew Hofer, OP, Ordinary Professor of Patristics and Ancient Languages, The Dominican House of Studies

Praise for the Catholic Biblical Theology of the Sacraments series

"Sacraments are at the heart of Catholic spirituality and liturgical life. They are celebrated in the context of the proclamation of God's Word. This excellent series will help Catholics appreciate more and more both the relationship between Word and Sacrament and how the sacraments are grounded in the riches of Scripture."

Thomas D. Stegman†, SJ, dean and professor of New Testament, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

"This series shows tremendous promise and ambition in laying out the multiple living connections between the Scriptures and the sacramental life of the Church. Taken together, these books could accomplish what Jean Daniélou's The Bible and the Liturgy accomplished for a previous generation of biblical and theological scholarship. And like that work, this series gives to students of the Bible a deeply enriched view of the mesh of relationships within and between biblical texts that are brought to light by the liturgy of the sacraments."

Jennifer Grillo, Tisch Family Associate Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame

"In recent years, theological exegesis--biblical commentary by theologians--has made a significant contribution. This series turns the tables: explicitly theological reflection by biblical scholars. The result is a breakthrough. Theologically trained, exegetically astute biblical scholars here explore the foundations of Catholic sacramental theology, along paths that will change the theological conversation. This series points the way to the theological and exegetical future."

Matthew Levering, James N. Jr. and Mary D. Perry Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary

"The sacraments come to us clothed in images that carry their mystery and propose it to our hearts. These images come from Scripture and are inspired by the Holy Spirit, who wills to transfigure us each into the full measure of Christ. The books in this series, by situating the sacraments within the scriptural imagery proper to each, will over time surely prove themselves to be agents in this work of the Spirit."

John C. Cavadini, professor of theology, McGrath-Cavadini Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life, University of Notre Dame