Welcoming Gifts

By sensitively exploring the role of sacrifice in antiquity and in the Old Testament, as well as Christ's own sacrifice, Fr. Jeremy Davis unveils a realm of personal relationship obscured by the contemporary usage of the word and so breathes new life into the "sacrificial" dimensions of Christian life. This is a book sure to inspire!

- Fr. John Behr, Regius Chair of Humanity, University of Aberdeen

Father Jeremy Davis has done a great service to the Church with what should by rights become the go-to text for understanding ancient sacrifice, particularly within the Scriptures. In addition to a survey of the ancient origins of sacrificial ritual and a detailed account of biblical offerings, he makes two critically important contributions to the field. First, Fr. Jeremy brings to bear the richness of the patristic tradition as the Fathers of the Church interpret, and reinterpret, ancient understandings of sacrifice in light of Christ and the apostolic faith. Second, he describes the Eucharist not only at a theological level, but also within the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the context of sacrificial offering. Anyone seeking to move beyond the shallow and errant understandings of sacrifice inherited within modern Western culture will be well served by this book.

- Fr. Stephen De Young, author of God Is a Man of War and Religion of the Apostles

In Welcoming Gifts, Davis's spiritual depth and intellectual gifts combine to do the challenging work of reframing our narrative of what sacrifice means and its role in the life of a Christ-follower. The author notes, "Biblical people were attracted to sacrifice; we are repelled by it." In this book, you will find yourself attracted to sacrifice in a new, fresh, inviting way. Rich in scholarship, steeped in scripture, and filled with wisdom from the Fathers, this insightful and rewarding book will change the way you think about sacrifice.

-James Bryan Smith, Dallas Willard Professor of Christian Formation at Friends University, and author of The Good and Beautiful God

The Right Rev. Archimandrite Jeremy Davis assists Metropolitan JOSEPH at the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey. He previously served fifteen years at St. Elijah and Holy Ascension Orthodox Churches in Oklahoma and holds an MDiv from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. Throughout his ministry, he has sought to introduce today's Christians to the vibrant faith of the ancient Church Fathers.

Preface / ix

Part 1: Rediscovering Sacrifice

Chapter 1: Our Cloud Was Their Silver Lining / 3

Chapter 2: Losing Our Way / 12

Ubiquitous Sacrifice and Its Sudden End

A Lingering Metaphor Fades Away

The Startling Facts of Ancient Sacrifice

Chapter 3: Sacrifice as Food, Aroma, and Gift / 30

Sacrifice as Food

Sacrifice as Aroma

Sacrifice as Gift

Sacrificial Metaphors as Experienced Meaning

Part 2: Old Testament Sacrifice

Chapter 4: A Primordial Practice in Need of Purification / 59

Chapter 5: The Basics of Mosaic Sacrifice / 68

The Place: Tabernacle, Then Temple

The Personnel: Hereditary Priests and Assistants

Preparation for Sacrifice

The Preliminaries of Sacrifice

The Procedures of Offering

Chapter 6: Gifts for Every Occasion / 95

Whole-Burnt Offerings

Peace Offerings

Sin Offerings

Part 3: Christ's Sacrifice

Chapter 7: The Failure and Fulfillment of Mosaic Sacrifice / 123

The Failure of Mosaic Sacrifice

Christ as Perfect Temple, Priest, and Offering

Christ Perfected Every Kind of Sacrifice

Chapter 8: The Offered Son and the Delivering Lamb / 142

A Father's Sacrifice

The Paschal Lamb

Chapter 9: How Christ's Sacrifice Saves Us / 163

Atonement

Purifying and Perfecting Conscience

Purified by Repentance

Chapter 10: From His Sacrifice to Ours / 189

He Transforms Us into Pure Sacrifices

We Offer Ourselves through Christ

Part 4: Our Sacrifices

Chapter 11: The Living Sacrifice of Obedience / 203

Martyrdom and Asceticism

Removing Sin and Cultivating Virtue

Fasting

Giving Ourselves with Joy

Chapter 12: Sacrificial Giving / 221

Giving to Those in Need

Support of Ministry

Sharing the Faith

Chapter 13: Christian Sacrificial Worship / 234