Come to the Table: Revisioning the Lord's Supper

Rating:
Summary: A timely plea for restored intent
Review: Contrary to the views espoused by the previous reviewer, Come to the Table is a felicitous call to imbue our time of communing around the "Lord's Table" with all that it was intended.

Whilst I take issue with much of gallantknights review, in my assessment he correctly notes several things:

* It is indeed a scholarly presentation, but it is far from unreadable and quite engaging at times
* Much of Dr Hicks' points are indeed based on Old Testament precedent, and rightly so. Hicks' ably brings to bear the covenental symbolism Jesus purposefully gives the Lord's Supper. From its relationship to the passover in particular, to the relationship between altar sacrifice and the ensuing table fellowship this book offers much insight into the desire of God for communion with and among His people.
* Hicks' historical survey of meals in both the Old and the New Testaments is a highlight of the book and provides the structure for most of it. His exegesis of pertinent passages is accurate, as noted, but the discerning reader will struggle to find examples of ignoring context, inspite of gallantknight's warnings. I find it strange that he would list Hicks' treatment of Acts 2:46 as an example of denying context, when the author's exposition of this verse was based solely on the immediate context. Those who would deny a reference to the Lord's Supper in that particular verse must wrest it from the text to disallow the clear flow of thought and terminology found in verse 42.

In this book Hicks' unapologetically presents an image of the Lord's supper that stands in stark dissonance to the practice of most contemporary traditions. This in several ways is a brave move for someone with a heritage in the Restoration Movement, as it invites(?!) criticism like that from gallantknights. Motives impugned and monikers like "change-agent" cast... (What on earth is "change-agent language"???? It must have been too subtle for me to pick up!)

The strength of this book lies not so much in uniqueness, (more and more scholars acknowledge the early practice of a fellowship-meal Lord's Supper) but in its call for a thorough rethink of firstly the theological foundation of the LS, it's purpose, and how that is reflected in our modern practice, if it is at all.

Come to the Table is not without its weaknesses. Dr Hicks, I think, was quite aware of most of them when he penned the preface and detailed its purpose. Some more groundwork for the practice of the early church could have been detailed, but where that was light Hick's leaves a healthy bibliography for further study!

Rating:
Summary: "Revision" is Right, but it's not the Right Thing
Review: Dr. Hicks makes a very scholary presentation of his views on the Lord's Supper in the church of Christ. However, many of his points are based on Old Testament prescedent and scriptures taken out of context. His use of the word "revision" couldn't be more apt, as he is advocating a revision not only of tradition, but also a revision of the historical interpretation of the of Biblical example of the Lord's Supper and the meaning behind it.

His overall survey of information has many factual statements, making it more difficult to discern the "change agent" language and suggestions scattered throughout. Hicks makes very liberal use of the words "experience" and "community", leading one to wonder just how much he is advocating a change in the church that would lead to resembling the more charismatic evangelical denominations, which would go against what Christ taught in the New Testament.

Hicks draws people in with a historical survey of the meals of the Jews in Old Testament times, which is impressively researched and presented fairly accurately. His interpretation of many of the scriptures is just as accurate. However, he uses certain scriptures out of context (like Acts 2:46) to support a flawed premise about the meaning of the Supper itself.

Those who read this need to do so with Bibles open, and should be ready to test everything he says against the Truth of scripture.