Sacramental Theology

Abstract The English word “sacrament” is from the Latin word, sacramentum , which was used to translate the Greek mysterion and is best translated as “symbol” or “ritual.” In early Christian usage, sacramentum indicated particularly any religious symbol or ritual. Sacramentum , then, has referred throughout most of its history to any religious symbol or ritual, including the Jewish rituals that preceded the Christian era. Sacramental theology for most of Christian history, therefore, encompassed any speculation on the role of sensible realities in manifesting the role of God in human life. In the 12th century the custom grew up of referring to the seven most important Christian rituals as “the sacraments,” although the older usage of the Latin word persisted alongside this newer usage. By the 16th century, debates erupted over which rituals should be considered “sacraments” and which should not. Sacramental theology from that point on took on the more specific task of justifying the continued use of certain rituals by different Christian denominations while continuing to include the older and broader discussions of the role of symbol and ritual.