Ascetic Eucharists

`This book is a model for research into the meanings of food in general and of ritual food in particular.' Ecclesiastical History, vol. 52/4 `McGowan uncovers a historical and theological hornets' nest in this book which is worth looking into closely. It is an engaging, thought-provoking and enlightening read.' Stephen. W. Need, Reviews in Religion and Theology `This is a colourful and vibrant book which will alert readers to a lost chapter in early Christianity. The author is familiar with a wide variety of ancient and modern literature relating to his subject and is careful and balanced in weighing the relevant evidence.' Stephen W. Need, Reviews in Religion and Theology `Anyone interested in the eucharist in early Christianity should read this book ... Liturgists, church historians, New Testament scholars, students, ministers, teachers and Christian theologians generally, should consult this work which, though scholarly, is written in a lively and accessible style.' Stephen W. Need, Reviews in Religion and Theology `this significant study by a distinguished Australian Anglian patristics scholar.' Dr K Stephenson, Church Times, 28th July 2000. `McGowans detailed study is important for its emphasis on the diversity of early Christian practice and tis insistence on examining Christian ritual within the context of a larger system of cultural meanings.' Michael Philip Pen, Church History, Studies in Christianity and Culture, Vol.69, No.2. `Ascetic Euchartists provides a useful addition to the study of rituals role in early Christianity.' Michael Philip Pen, Church History, Studies in Christianity and Culture, Vol.69, No.2. `This study... is a fascinating contribution to the study of eucharistic developments. The book... is a useful catalogue of a wide range of early Christian and collateral material... this resource for taking a new and more differentiated look at early eucharistic development makes an important contribution.' Jeffrey Gros, Worship, May 2000