Abendmahl und Ethik im frühesten Christentum bis auf Justin. Zugleich zu einer topographischen Analyse und Darstellung einer materialen frühchristlichen Ethik

In this article a »topographical« approach to the study of early Christian ethics is proposed, focusing not on individual authors or issues but on the various sites of Christian social interaction – of which the Eucharist is one. While the historical evidence is fragmentary, it is clear from a number of texts that the Eucharist is embedded in the wider context of Christian life and ethical engagement. In addition to occasional explicit statements associating the Eucharist with care for disadvantaged members of the community, the emphasis elsewhere on such topics as »unity« and »holiness« also have strong ethical implications.