By Ralph McMichael
By Michael Plekon, October 5, 2026
Who’s it for?
Any reader committed to the Eucharist as the core of the Church and our life in the community of faith.
Why should you read this and what’s the main point?
This is a most thorough look at how the Eucharist is not merely an important, even the singular sacrament and rite of the church, but rests at the core of God’s presence and relationship with us. The goal is not just conversing with historical theology but “pulling it up by its roots, shaking off the dirt of experience, reason, language, denominational existence, culture, theory, even scripture and tradition to replant theology in the Eucharist so Jesus becomes its eucharistic vine” (p. 40).
In short, the author aims at a radical reimagining of all theology in the Eucharist.
Why is this book significant / important?
There is an enormous literature on the Eucharist in so many fields, from historical theology to liturgical practice, and so much debate and conflict over the years. This book aims at offering a very comprehensive reconsideration of how the Eucharist concentrates God’s incarnation and ongoing desire to be in communion, in communication, and living with and in us. The text demands concentration and persistence. A challenging and careful engagement with the economic and immanent Trinity forms the two main sections of the book.
What intrigued me (the reviewer) the most and what will get you (the reader) thinking?
McMichael’s intent to reframe theological thinking in terms of the Eucharist is bold. Those in fields like New Testament, historical, liturgical and pastoral theology may question both the intention and method. He sometimes almost sounds absolutist in his claims, and some points of view raise questions, such as whether it makes sense to so focus all of theology on the Eucharist when there is so much more to the life of the faith and the church. It could be argued that the author’s view of systematic theology is too constrictive. Likewise, it could also be said that the putting to the side the actual texts of liturgical celebration and the celebration itself, reduces the Eucharist to the level of theological concept. I myself smarted at the relative ignoring of the reality of the celebrating assembly, the community of faith and service that is the church. Likewise, the historical development of the Eucharist, both in text and celebration should count for more than is granted here.
Yet there are gems of realization throughout, such as the reminder that the Ascension is not Jesus’ absence but truly an “insistent presence,” a “resurrection of presence,” in Jean Luc Marion’s words. I also wonder why the only major theologians assessed were Aquinas and Barth.
All this said, this is a demanding and challenging effort to reimagine theology and God in terms of the Eucharist.
Ralph McMichael, The Eucharistic God: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, https://wipfandstock.com/9781666702194/the-eucharistic-god/, Eugene OR: Cascade, 2026, x+251pp, ISBN 978-1-6667-0219-4, $34.00
Reviewer: The Rev. Michael Plekon, PhD, Emeritus Professor, The City University of New York, Baruch College, priest in the Episcopal Church, most recently author of Community as Church, Church as Community, Ministry Matters, and Communion and Community, Cascade/Wipf & Stock, 2021, 2024, 2026.
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