Category Archives: +The Breaking of Bread

Holy Communion

Interview: "Easily the Favorite Service of Our Entire Church"

Posted on February 21, 2007 by Darrell Pursiful

On April 5th, Maundy Thursday, Livonia Baptist Church will gather for a fellowship meal and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. That isn’t terribly exciting news, is it? Lots of Christians‚Äîeven a growing number of Baptists‚Äîset aside Maundy Thursday for … Continue reading →

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The Eucharist: Preserving Both Unity and Purity

Posted on February 1, 2007 by Darrell Pursiful

The fourth and fifth “risks” of Eucharistic sharing Jeffrey VanderWilt considers in chapter 2 of Communion with Non-Catholic Christians need to be discussed together, if for no other reason because most Christians tend to shortchange one or the other. One … Continue reading →

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Successionism and the Eucharist

Posted on January 29, 2007 by Darrell Pursiful

Continuing my reading of chapter 2 of Communion with Non-Catholic Christians by Jeffrey Vanderwilt, I’ll now take up the third “risk” he identifies of sharing the Eucharist with Christians of other faith communities. 3. Failing to Maintain Apostolic Succession Apostolic … Continue reading →

Posted in +Fellowship, +The Breaking of Bread, Mere Catholicity, Ministry | 3 Comments

The Eucharist: Handle with Care

Posted on January 27, 2007 by Darrell Pursiful

My interest in understanding how Christians can share Holy Communion more openly led me to Jeffrey VanderWilt’s Communion with Non-Catholic Christians. VanderWilt is obviously writing from a Roman Catholic perspective, intending to convince Catholics of his views. Still, I find … Continue reading →

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Landmarks, Lutherans, and the Liturgy

Posted on January 26, 2007 by Darrell Pursiful

I’ve been reading Jeffrey VanderWilt’s Communion with Non-Catholic Christians (The Liturgical Press, 2003). It is shaping up to be a gentle encouragement for the Catholic Church to liberalize its policies regarding how and under what circumstances Catholics and non-Catholics can … Continue reading →

Posted in +Fellowship, +The Breaking of Bread, Mere Catholicity | 6 Comments

Verses I'd Rather See on a Communion Table

Posted on January 4, 2007 by Darrell Pursiful

Protestants love to inscribe “Do This in Remembrance of Me” (1 Co 11:24) on our Communion tables. It’s nice. It’s biblical. But is that really the best biblical template for understanding and celebrating the feast that Jesus gave us? How … Continue reading →

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Food and Meals in the Bible

Posted on December 29, 2006 by Darrell Pursiful

Daniel Pulliam of GetReligion points to a neat L.A. Times article by Stephanie Simon on biblical foods and eating: “Scripture by the Plateful.” The article is about a new book by Rayner Hesse and Anthony Chiffolo called Cooking with the … Continue reading →

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9.5 Curmudgeonly Christmas Theses

Posted on November 21, 2006 by Darrell Pursiful

Kyle has once again declared War on Christmas. Joshua gets it, and has joined the fight. (What is it with those Georgetonians?) In honor of the occasion, here are some theses for your consideration. Since I’m at best only a … Continue reading →

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When Is a House Church not a House Church

Posted on November 6, 2006 by Darrell Pursiful

[Here is another oldie but goodie moving over from the old blog:] I have deep respect for the house-church movement, not least because my own Baptist heritage began among dissenters from the Church of England who took to meeting in … Continue reading →

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Ancient Christian Worship: The Breaking of Bread and Communion

Posted on October 27, 2006 by Darrell Pursiful

The Breaking of Bread (“He broke”) Christian tradition knows three types of “fraction” or breaking of bread. An “imitative” fraction follows along with the Institution Narrative and occurs at the words “he broke.” A “utilitarian” fraction is accomplished with little … Continue reading →

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