Definition and Practice of Extreme Unction
Extreme Unction, also known as the Anointing of the Sick, is understood differently across Christian traditions, particularly regarding its sacramental status and effects. In Roman Catholic theology, Extreme Unction is considered one of the seven sacraments [2]. Thomas Aquinas defines a sacrament as an action of the Church that achieves the principal effect intended in the administration of the sacraments, distinguishing it from a sacramental, which is directed towards that principal action but does not fully achieve it [2].
The institution of Extreme Unction is often linked to James 5:14-15, which states, "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven" [3]. Aquinas argues that just as Baptism effects spiritual cleansing through a bodily washing, Extreme Unction brings about an inward healing through an outward sacramental act [3]. A notable effect of this sacrament, according to Aquinas, is bodily health, though he notes a distinction: while Baptism's washing has a bodily cleansing effect, Extreme Unction's bodily remedy is a healing of the body [3].
In contrast, Reformed traditions, such as that articulated by John Calvin, do not recognize Extreme Unction as a sacrament in the same way. Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, discusses the sacrament of repentance, which he sees as confirming faith and sealing confidence [1]. He refers to an early Church understanding, attributed to Augustine, where repentance was called "The sacrament of faith and repentance" [1]. This perspective emphasizes the spiritual aspect of repentance and faith rather than a distinct anointing for the sick with sacramental efficacy.
Methodist/Wesleyan interpretations, as seen in Adam Clarke's commentary, often focus on the "exceeding greatness of his power" in relation to the resurrection and spiritual transformation, rather than a specific anointing ritual for the sick as a sacrament [4]. While prayer for the sick is common across traditions, the specific theological framework and practice of Extreme Unction as a sacrament with defined effects on both body and soul remains a distinctive feature of Catholic theology [2, 3].
Sources
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 101: at repentance to confirm their faith and seal their confidence. But lest you should think this our invention, it appears, that besides being conformable to the words of Scripture, it was generally regarded in the early Church as an indubitable axiom. For in the short Treatise on Faith addressed to Peter, and bearing the name of Augustine, it is called, The sacrament of faith and repentance . But why have recourse to doubtful writings, as if anything can be required more distinct than the statement of the Evangelist, that John prea”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of Extreme Unction, As Regards Its Essence and Institution, Art. 1: Article: Whether Extreme Unction is a sacrament? I answer that, Among the visible operations of the Church, some are sacraments, as Baptism, some are sacramentals, as Exorcism. The difference between these is that a sacrament is an action of the Church that reaches to the principal effect intended in the administration of the sacraments, whereas a sacramental is an action which, though it does not reach to that effect, is nevertheless directed towards that principal action.”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of the Effect of This Sacrament, Art. 2: Article: Whether bodily health is an effect of this sacrament? I answer that, Just as Baptism causes a spiritual cleansing from spiritual stains by means of a bodily washing, so this sacrament causes an inward healing by means of an outward sacramental healing: and even as the baptismal washing has the effect of a bodily washing, since it effects even a bodily cleansing, so too, Extreme Unction has the effect of a bodily remedy, namely a healing of the body. But there is a difference, for as much as ”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 1:19: The exceeding greatness of his power - As the apostle is here speaking of the glorious state of believers after death, the exceeding greatness of his power, or that power which surpasses all difficulties, being itself omnipotent, is to be understood of that might which is to be exerted in raising the body at the last day; as it will require the same power or energy which he wrought in Christ, when he raised his body from the grave, to raise up the bodies of all mankind; the resurrection of the human nature of Christ being a proof of the resurrection of mankind in”