Conceptual Blending and Two Ways of Feeding on Jesus
Chapter 3 continues the introduction to cognitive linguistics begun in Chapter 2 by exploring conceptual blending, a second-generation development within the field. It presents two strands of Christian piety related to eating and drinking, one based on the eucharistic elements and the other on feeding spiritually on Jesus through scripture and prayer. The author traces these pieties to two scriptural blends of opposite metaphoric directionality, BREAD IS JESUS and JESUS IS BREAD—or, more precisely, THIS LOAF AND WINE ARE JESUS’S BODY AND BLOOD and JESUS’S FLESH AND BLOOD ARE HEAVENLY LIFE-GIVING BREAD AND DRINK. The former arises from the Synoptic and Pauline institution narratives and supports the idea of sacramental communion; the latter arises from John 6 and supports spiritual communion. Both blends are analyzed in detail. The author writes that all Christians can accept Johannine spiritual communion but that an ecumenical divide remains regarding the Synoptic/Pauline blend.