The Meal Jesus Gave Us: Understanding Holy Communion by Tom Wright (18-Sep-2014) Paperback

by N.T. Wright

Excellent Book

Genres: Theology, Christian, Religion, Christianity, Biblical Studies, Nonfiction, Faith

Paperback

First published May 31, 2002

About the author

N. T. Wright is the former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England (2003-2010) and one of the world's leading Bible scholars. He is now serving as the chair of New Testament and Early Christianity at the School of Divinity at the University of St. Andrews. He has been featured on ABC News, Dateline NBC, The Colbert Report, and Fresh Air, and he has taught New Testament studies at Cambridge, McGill, and Oxford universities. Wright is the award-winning author of Surprised by Hope, Simply Christian, The Last Word, The Challenge of Jesus, The Meaning of Jesus (coauthored with Marcus Borg), as well as the much heralded series Christian Origins and the Question of God.

He also publishes under Tom Wright.

Reviews

[Joel Wentz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly accessible and clear, this is by far the best introduction to the idea of "communion," or Eucharist, that I've ever read. The analogies are on-point and memorable, especially the introductory setting of a Martian at a birthday party, and the historical elements are eminently helpful.

Seriously, you can read this whole thing in under an hour, and every page packs a punch. Well worth your time to gulp this one down and start thinking about it for days afterwards.

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short Review: A highly readable brief book about the central act of Christian worship. Non-controversial and inclusive of a variety of Christian practices around Communion. This is primarily targeted toward the lay person, new Christian or someone that has not explored communion previously. Although NT Wright is best known for his more theological works, he is also quite good at addressing the non-academic and this is a very good example of that.

This is something that could easily be read in a single sitting (I read it in an evening) or discussed over a couple of weeks in a small group setting. The revision has edited the content and added discussion questions.

My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/the-meal-jesus-gave-us/

[Melissa Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful little introduction to the topic of Holy Communion as sacrament. Even though it's only an 85-page booklet, it has some very helpful content, such as the key history behind different perspectives. I would especially recommend this to anyone beginning to explore liturgical/sacramental traditions of Christianity.

[Joshua Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

First N.T. Wright book I've read. Found Wright's writing style engaging and easy-to-follow. Wright does a nice job laying out what the Lord's Supper is and why it is significant both theologically and communally in the life of the Christian. At the end of the book, Wright even comments on some of the practical aspects regarding the Lord's Supper in the life of the church (why, when, where, how and who). While I might quibble with a few aspects of Wright's views on the Lord's Supper, I generally found this to be a refreshing read on the goodness of gathering at the Lord's Table in remembrance of Christ until He comes again.

[Arni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, but nothing too special or particularly enlightening. An OK book, but short detail and argument. It does draw out some overall themes, very much Wrightian and eschatological, which are helpful. But Wright's refusal to go deep left me frustrated whenever he made a good point (like the one about the inherently and proleptically eschatological of communion) or touched on an interesting topic (like the connection between Thomist cosmology and Catholic Eucharistic theology). Give me more, Tom! Wright's forays into figurative writing, though, are badly written, at times positively cringy. Again, OK book, but short on substance and what substance there was was ultimately frustrating because of its brevity.

[Thomas King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth a read

Written with the combination of style and careful scholarship that we have come to expect from the author. Good to be refreshed with the heart of the matter.

Personally, I was just a little disappointed at the end to read the comparatively unfounded comments about church buildings and ordained people being preferred and/or necessary. In my mind those comments undermined some of what had been previously explained about the compelling simplicity and power of the communion meal.

However, as always, worth reading this author.

[Ethan Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Introduction to an Event Full of Wonder

NT Wright always satisfies a person who comes to him hoping to be stimulated to deep thought. This book is no exception.

The opportunity to imagine what it might have been like to take communion as a former Pagan is delightful. The fearful wonder of the apostles as Jesus sets the meal up for the first time and how he departs from the expected words of Hagada, the Exodus story, and makes thins about himself - that’s simply brilliant.

Very thought-provoking and helpful. WHat a delightful little book.

[Lena Denman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This text gives the early church’s practices of communion and explains how it’s evolved today. The story opens with a Martian visiting earth learning about the practices of the Passover in Judaism and then the Lord’s supper as practiced by those who lived during the New Testament’s time. Although many people view this book as great for new Christians, I learned quite a bit from it that wasn’t taught in the congregations I was raised in. I recommend everyone read this short text.

[Stinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this with my family before bedtime; it was an excellent book to read aloud and discuss. Additionally, since we've switched from attending a Southern Baptist to a Lutheran (hence, a more liturgical) church, the deep dive into the sacrament of the Jesus meal was helpful to us. Does NT Wright ever produce any bad books? He certainly didn't here. I recommend this to any Christian wanting to better understand the Lord's supper.

[Matt Daq · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a lot like all of NT Wrights other books, very symbolic and poetic, yet adds a lot of context and understanding to the text. In this case communion/the Eucharist.
What I liked a lot this book is not only Toms explanation of communion, but also how he added a heap of church history information regarding the Eucharist. So I learnt a lot and have re-examined my approach to communion and now feel like it holds more value on my faith walk than before.
Also super easy, quick read.

[Dayo Adewoye · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a short but profound discussion of the Eucharist! The opening vignettes provide such a powerful exploration of its significance, and the author does a fine job of navigating how it has been understood in the Church's history as well as pointing out how scripture invites us to see it. I heartily recommend it.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Meal Jesus Gave Us, Tom Wright
This is super cool! Fantastic overview of the heartfelt intention of 'the Jesus party'. I wrote heaps of notes and use this as a point of reference for my own understanding of Eucharist, and for my instruction and teaching to my people in my faith community. *****

[Luke Haselmayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely helpful! The theology of communion is great. His Anglican perspective shows, however, when he begins discussing practical instruction. Also, I was disappointed that he called communion in the 1st century “not a real meal.” I’m going to find a deeper dive on the subject, as Ive heard the opposite.

[Jason Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and conversational exploration of what Communion means and why we do it. It's accessible and practical, and full of personality. It's also pretty short. Wright ultimately makes the point that in the Jesus-Meal, Christ reaches forward from the cross and simultaneously rushes in from God's restored future, inviting and empowering us to live out that future in the present.

[Christian Wermeskerch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful (mostly Reformed) view of the Supper that most Christians could agree on, even though I imagine quite a few will want more out of Wright. (Maybe a crude but somewhat accurate way to describe it is as containing the lowest common denominator aspects of the eucharist)

[David LaLone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book from the first page until the last. N.T. Wright handles the depth of the eucharist well without getting bogged down with theological details in this short but powerful book. I found myself choking up as I was digesting the beauty and mystery of this wonderful sacrament.

[Thomas Unitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wright does a lot in this short, snappy volume on Communion. Its part history lesson, part role play, part theological approach is an easy read, and can often make daunting and complex ideas easy to digest. Wrights conversational tone is not for everyone, but it really works here.

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic, concise, and very readable.

[Tristan Sherwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another little gem from Tom Wright. Does what it says on the cover, and does it well, all within the space of 78 pages.

[Mugeleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The importance of communion in community.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

[Graydon Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful, creative, and insightful book on the meaning of communion!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and helpful introduction to the sacrament of communion.

[Nate Offord · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, but much-needed, primer on what we are actually partaking of when we gather for the Jesus Meal.

I always appreciate Wright’s thoughts and they are cogent against here.

[Ben Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed by this book. It does not get to the point very a very long time, and leaves more questions than answers. That being said, I did find some thoughts helpful.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book that clearly explains the significance of communion in various ways, while leaving space for variety of faith traditions sacramental theology.

[Tim Littleford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and approachable theology of communion. Much to take and learn, some Anglican specific things that are non-contextual. Overall deeply helpful.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book because it asks an underlying question. Shouldn't the Lord's supper unite Christians? But it also covers the wheres, whys and whens of this important Christian act.

[Justin & Danette Edgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wright is great, and these thoughts on the Supper are great.