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"Amillennialism 101" -- Audio and On-Line Resources
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Friday
Jul052019

What Should I Read to Learn More About the Lord's Supper?

At Christ Reformed Church, we celebrate the Lord's Supper each Lord's Day. 

Reformed people often ask me, "how come so frequently?"

Visiting Evangelicals will ask, "what is a sacrament?  Isn't that a Roman Catholic notion?"

I am also asked, "why do you fence the table?"  Some visitors see this practice as judgmental, and are offended when told they need the permission of our elders to join us at the table.

So, when people have questions about the Lord's Supper that go deeper than a quick explanation, I recommend the following resources (note:  there is a real need for a basic introductory book on the subject -- I hear several are in the works).


Keith Mathison's book lays out the biblical basis for understanding the Lord's Supper as the "real presence" of Christ, whose body and blood are truly received through faith (a "spiritual eating" -- to use Calvin's term).

Mathison covers the historical development of the Reformed view of the elements (bread and wine) as "sign and thing signified."  Mathison also discusses the Roman, Lutheran, Zwinglian views of the Supper, in dialogue with Calvin's notion of "real presence." 

Practical matters (i.e., frequency of the Supper) are also discussed.

This is the best single book on the Supper to date.

Given for You: Reclaiming Calvin's Doctrine of the Lord's Supper

 

Calvin's view of the Lord's Supper is well worth taking the time to read and digest. 

This volume (an anthology) contains two of Calvin's most important treatises on the Supper ("A Short Treatise on the Lord's Supper" and "The Clear Explanation of Sound Doctrine Concerning the True Partaking of the Flesh and Blood of Christ in the Holy Supper"), along with a number of other important works (the Genevan Catechism, Calvin's "Reply" to Cardinal Sadolet, The Necessity of Reforming the Church).

It is always good to read Calvin!  But he is especially helpful on the Lord's Supper.  John Calvin: Theological Treaties

 

This is perhaps my favorite book from Mike (his recent two volume set on justification is also a contender).  Mike discusses the "means of grace" (word and sacrament) in dialogue with a number of contemporary competitors (i.e., Rome and Orthodoxy). 

Mike develops and defends of idea of a "word and sacrament" church--the foundation of all that we do on the Lord's Day.

This is must reading!  (note:  it is not as technical as earlier volumes in this series)

Mike Horton -- People and Place

I wrote an essay defending the frequent celebration of the Lord's Supper in Always Reformed (a festschrift for Dr. Godfrey)

Reforming the Lord's Supper

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Previous Posts in this Series:

What Should I Read to Learn More About Infant Baptism?

What Should I Read to Learn More About Covenant Theology?

 

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