You receive Communion. But what does it mean?
In The Lord's Supper: A Guide to the Heavenly Feast, John W. Kleinig awakens a hunger for meeting Jesus in the bread and wine. The Bible tells us that Jesus came from heaven to earth to give us himself, and his self-giving continues in the meal that he hosts. In the sacrament of Communion, Jesus offers believers nothing less than his holy, life-giving body and cleansing blood. He brings heaven to earth for us and gives us a foretaste of the heavenly supper of the Lamb. And by faith, we commune with him. In the Eucharist, Christians give thanks for God's gift of himself.
"My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods." --Psalm 63:5
About the Author :
John W. Kleinig is a retired lecturer of the Old Testament at Australian Lutheran College and a pastor of the Lutheran Church of Australia. He is the author of numerous books, including God's Word: A Guide to Holy Scripture; Grace Upon Grace: Spirituality for Today; and Wonderfully Made: A Protestant Theology of the Body.
Review :
"This book is a must-read for Christians from all faith traditions who want a clear presentation of what Scripture reveals about the great mystery and precious gift of Holy Communion that is Christ himself."
--Kelsi Klembara, 1517 Online Content Manager
"The eminent Lutheran theologian John Kleinig is always worth reading, and he has done it again here. Here is food for all Christians, including Roman Catholics such as myself.
--Matthew Levering, James N. Jr. and Mary D. Perry, Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary
"Kleinig draws readers into plumbing the depths of what the Bible says about Christ's meal in the context of meal-taking throughout Scripture."
--Robert Kolb, professor of systematic theology emeritus, Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, MO
"Few works have done as well at bringing home the spiritual value of the Lord's Supper for our communion with God and our fellowship with his church as has this wonderful little volume. What a treat!"
--Harrison Perkins, pastor, Oakland Hills Community Church (OPC)
"John Kleinig's reflection on the Lord's Supper is at once simple, profound, and thoroughly biblical. Avoiding several of the thickets that divide churches on this mystery, he focuses our attention on the central aspects that unite them. The result is the most accessible and catholic introduction to the Lord's Supper I have read.
--Tyler R. Wittman, associate professor of Christian theology, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans, LA
"Dr. Kleinig has gifted readers with a winning, accessible, and engaging introduction to the Lord's Supper. Written in the Lutheran tradition for a wide Christian audience, The Lord's Supper helps all readers to see and to relish the gracious Savior to whom the Supper points." --Guy Prentiss Waters, James M. Baird, Jr. Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS
"Kleinig's elegant writing style makes his theology immediately accessible to lay readers and offers themes to pastors for preaching to bring their parishioners to a deeper appreciation in their reception of this sacrament."
--David P. Scaer, professor of systematic theology and New Testament and The David P. Scaer Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN
