The Bible and the Anointing of the Sick

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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!”

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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”