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'''Transubstantiation''' is the [[doctrine]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] which, since the [[Apostolic Age]], has held that during the [[consecration]] of the [[Sacrifice|sacrificial offerings]] of bread and wine at the [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]], that the bread and wine are literally changed into the body and blood of [[Christ]]. The use of the term ''transubstantiation'' to describe this sacred mystery dates from the 11th century, when it was used by Hildebert de Lavardin, Archbishop of Tours;<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=u-4Z9zBMQwsC&pg=PA37&dq=transubstantiation+Hildebert&hl=en&sa=X&ei=x8rNUe-_FY_Y7Aayk4EQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=transubstantiation%20Hildebert&f=false John Cuthbert Hedley, ''Holy Eucharist'' (Kessinger 2003 ISBN 978-0-76617494-8), p. 37]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=iN2NgXRAXnkC&pg=PA134&dq=transubstantiation+Hildebert&hl=en&sa=X&ei=x8rNUe-_FY_Y7Aayk4EQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=transubstantiation%20Hildebert&f=false John N. King, ''Milton and Religious Controversy'' (Cambridge University Press 2000 ISBN 978-0-52177198-6), p. 134]</ref> it was in common use by the 12th century.<ref name="ODCC">Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford University Press 2005 ISBN 978-0-19-280290-3), article ''Transubstantiation''</ref> The doctrine of transubstantiation holds that while the outward, sensible characteristics (called the ''accidents'') of the bread and wine remain, the reality (called the ''substance'') is transformed into that of Christ.  It should be noted also that Christ's body and soul are united in Heaven and cannot be separated, so that not only the body and blood, but the soul and divinity—the whole of Christ—are believed to be made present under the ''species'' of bread and wine.

'''Transubstantiation''' is the [[doctrine]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] which, since the [[Apostolic Age]], has held that during the [[consecration]] of the [[Sacrifice|sacrificial offerings]] of bread and wine at the [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]], that the substantial reality of the bread and wine are literally changed into the substantial reality of the body and blood of [[Christ]]. The use of the term ''transubstantiation'' to describe this sacred mystery dates from the 11th century, when it was used by Hildebert de Lavardin, Archbishop of Tours;<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=u-4Z9zBMQwsC&pg=PA37&dq=transubstantiation+Hildebert&hl=en&sa=X&ei=x8rNUe-_FY_Y7Aayk4EQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=transubstantiation%20Hildebert&f=false John Cuthbert Hedley, ''Holy Eucharist'' (Kessinger 2003 ISBN 978-0-76617494-8), p. 37]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=iN2NgXRAXnkC&pg=PA134&dq=transubstantiation+Hildebert&hl=en&sa=X&ei=x8rNUe-_FY_Y7Aayk4EQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=transubstantiation%20Hildebert&f=false John N. King, ''Milton and Religious Controversy'' (Cambridge University Press 2000 ISBN 978-0-52177198-6), p. 134]</ref> it was in common use by the 12th century.<ref name="ODCC">Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford University Press 2005 ISBN 978-0-19-280290-3), article ''Transubstantiation''</ref> The doctrine of transubstantiation holds that while the outward, sensible characteristics (called the ''accidents'') of the bread and wine remain, the reality (called the ''substance'') is transformed into that of Christ.  It should be noted also that Christ's body and soul are united in Heaven and cannot be separated, so that not only the body and blood, but the soul and divinity—the whole of Christ—are believed to be made present under the ''species'' or ''sensible forms'' of bread and wine.

This is a view that contrasts with the beliefs of the Protestant churches. Most of the Reformers during the [[Protestant Reformation]] taught one version or another of the "Real Presence" in the Eucharist, instead of a purely symbolic view. In the Lutheran, Reformed, Presbyterian, and Anglican churches, the doctrine of the Real Presence is affirmed, but not the additional doctrine called Transubstantiation.  In other words, those churches accept that Christ's body and blood are truly present in the [[Eucharist]] or Lord's Supper, but not that the bread and wine consumed by the minister and the congregation alike have ceased to be bread and wine.

This is a view that contrasts with the beliefs of the Protestant churches. Most of the Reformers during the [[Protestant Reformation]] taught one version or another of the "Real Presence" in the Eucharist, instead of a purely symbolic view. In the Lutheran, Reformed, Presbyterian, and Anglican churches, the doctrine of the Real Presence is affirmed, but not the additional doctrine called Transubstantiation.  In other words, those churches accept that Christ's body and blood are truly present in the [[Eucharist]] or Lord's Supper, but not that the bread and wine consumed by the minister and the congregation alike have ceased to be bread and wine.

For other Protestants (mostly Evangelical, Fundamentalist, and Pentecostal) who also celebrate Christ's [[Last Supper]], the belief is that the wine and bread merely symbolize or represent the body and blood of Jesus.  As such, those churches generally use the term "Lord's Supper" to describe the taking of bread and wine (Communion is used by some churches, mainly those of a more contemporary nature, but Eucharist is never used).

For other Protestants (mostly Evangelical, Fundamentalist, and Pentecostal) who also celebrate Christ's [[Last Supper]], the belief is that the wine and bread merely symbolize or represent the body and blood of Jesus.  As such, those churches generally use the term "Lord's Supper" to describe the taking of bread and wine ("Communion" is used by some churches, mainly those of a more contemporary nature, but "Eucharist" is never used).

Transubstantiation was a contentious issue during the [[Protestant Reformation]], a historical period of conflict and warfare among Christians over a number of issues of [[Hermeneutics|scriptural interpretation]], doctrine, [[philosophy]], and both ecclesiastical and secular [[politics]].

Transubstantiation was a contentious issue during the [[Protestant Reformation]], a historical period of conflict and warfare among Christians over a number of issues of [[Hermeneutics|scriptural interpretation]], doctrine, [[philosophy]], and both ecclesiastical and secular [[politics]].

Catholics believe the doctrine of Transubstantiation can be validated by Scripture.

Catholics believe the doctrine of Transubstantiation can be validated by Scripture.

In John 6, Jesus promises to His followers the Bread of Life, His flesh. (John 6:51)  When the Jews began to argue over how Jesus could give them His flesh, He responded by repeating the necessity of doing so: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you have no life within you” (John 6:53).  When His disciples said “This is a hard teaching; who can follow it?” (John 6:60), Jesus allowed them to go and even asked His 12 apostles if they too would leave.  Catholics note that Jesus did not claim to be speaking symbolically or metaphorically when His disciples left, even though they seemed to take Him literally.  Thus, it is concluded, Jesus was speaking literally. Then, at the Last Supper when He said “This is my body” and “This is my blood,” He was fulfilling His literal promise made in John 6:51, according to Catholics, to give His followers His body and blood.

In John 6, Jesus promises to His followers the Bread of Life, His flesh. (John 6:51)  When the Jews began to argue over how Jesus could give them His flesh, He responded by repeating the necessity of doing so: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you have no life within you” (John 6:53). The Greek word ''trogōn'' for "eat" in John 6:54, 56-58 has no [[metaphor]]ical meaning<ref>See Strong's Concordance, number ''5176''. Compare the interlinear Greek New Testament texts of [http://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/6-53.htm John 6:53], [http://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/6-54.htm 6:54], [http://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/6-56.htm 6:56], [http://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/6-57.htm 6:57] and [http://biblehub.com/interlinear/john/6-58.htm 6:58].</ref> When His disciples said “This is a hard teaching; who can follow it?” (John 6:60), Jesus allowed them to go and even asked His 12 apostles if they too would leave.  Catholics note that Jesus did not claim to be speaking symbolically or metaphorically when His disciples left, even though they seemed to take Him literally.  Thus, it is concluded, Jesus was speaking literally. Then, at the Last Supper when He said “This is my body” and “This is my blood,” He was fulfilling His literal promise made in John 6:51, according to Catholics, to give His followers His body and blood.

As noted above, most Protestants do not dispute the fact that Jesus intended to give His body and blood to His followers.  Protestants maintain that Jesus' statements at the Last Supper were symbolic of His death to come, and were not meant to be taken literally.  Therefore, they maintain that the Lord's Supper <ref>The term preferred by most Protestants, believing "Eucharist" and "Communion" to be Roman Catholic terms.</ref> is symbolic only and there is no actual change in the elements.

As noted above, most Protestants do not dispute the fact that Jesus intended to give His body and blood to His followers.  Protestants maintain that Jesus' statements at the Last Supper were symbolic of His death to come, and were not meant to be taken literally.  Therefore, they maintain that the Lord's Supper <ref>The term preferred by most Protestants, believing "Eucharist" and "Communion" to be Roman Catholic terms.</ref> is symbolic only and there is no actual change in the elements.