Making a Meal of It
Rethinking the Theology of the Lord's Supper
By Ben Witherington III
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Subjects: All Biblical Studies, All Religious Studies, All Theology, New Testament |
Making a Meal of It explores the background and implication of the Lord’s Supper. Delving into its historical and Scriptural origins, Witherington argues that the Lord’s Supper is a sacramental celebration of the community of God, designed to incorporate people of varying backgrounds. Excavating the diverse ways in which Scripture and early Christian tradition speak about the Lord’s Supper, Witherington advocates that the meal is primarily about who the people of God are and how they should thus live together.
Preface
1. Passed Over, Past Due
2. From the Essenes to Jesus
3. The Table of the Entitled and the Table of the Lord: Eating and Drinking in Corinth
4. The Long Farewell: The Feast in John 13—17
5. Missing Supper: The Eucharist in Early Christianity
6. Second Century Sacraments
7. When the Meal became the Mass
8. Mystery of the Meal
Notes
Witherington provides compelling answers to many of the crucial issues.
—E. Arnold, Professor and Chairman, Department of New Testament, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
In Making a Meal of It, Ben Witherington provides a competent guide to the numerous complexities surrounding the Lord's Supper, one that, in the end, helps the reader to understand this central Christian ceremony as something much more than either magic or mere symbolism. From socio-cultural background information to incisive exegetical observations, from careful historical survey to very practical application; this book will benefit anyone who desires to better understand-and more fully experience-the true kingdom mystery of the Lord's Supper.
—Paul Rhodes Eddy, Professor of Biblical & Systematic Theology, Bethel University
Ben Witherington, III (Ph.D. Durham) is Professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary and the author of more than 20 books, including The Problem with Evangelical Theology (Baylor University Press 2005) and Troubled Waters: Rethinking the Theology of Baptism (Baylor University Press 2007).
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