The New Passover

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A recent journal article stated, "There is something missing in the way the churches do Communion." Why is it that this central act of Christian worship is often so dull, dreary, and formal? Indeed at times it can be as somber as a funeral with people silently queuing cafeteria style in lines to receive a morsel of bread or a rice paper emblem of bread and then joining the wine queue for a tiny sip of wine. Strangely the churches call the Eucharist a "supper, " but there is no meal in the gathering. Indeed on occasions it can feel a bit like the Mad Hatter's tea party, which was supposed have mouth-watering festive things to eat but there was only bread! Where is the convivial joy and fellowship of a Passover celebration? Why is there no overwhelming joy like that of the two disciples who encountered the risen Jesus in the breaking of bread in their house in the village of Emmaus on that first Easter evening? This book, The New Passover: Rethinking the Lord's Supper for Today, traces the way the Christian churches changed the simple meal of the New Passover into an esoteric theological public ritual. Luther and the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformers abolished the Mass and restored the bread and wine to the people but they only half completed the task. They recognized that Jesus intended the Eucharist to be a Supper but there was nothing in their liturgies to satisfy physical hunger. This book argues that the Last Supper was a Passover meal and that churches today need to celebrate the Lord's Supper Passover style in the context of an evening meal with ordinary bread and wine, in small groups of believers only and in houses and homes. It is to be a joyous celebration meal providing spiritual strength, fellowship, thanksgiving, and remembrance. "In this readable and historically-informed volume, Nigel Scotland argues that we need to 'rethink' Communion, which he contends should be part of a healthful, sit-down, home-based evening supper meal for small groups of Christian believers using ordinary bread and wine. He argues that the Lord's Supper should be frequent, be consciously understood as a spiritual partaking of spiritual food and drink, be focused on fellowship, and facilitate thanksgiving as Christ's work is remembered. You may take issue with some of his arguments, but can hardly resist his desire for the Eucharist to be a vital and joyful part of the spiritual experience of contemporary believers." --W. Bingham Hunter, Provost, Phoenix Seminary, former Academic Dean of Talbot School of Theology and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School "Nigel has taken us on a comprehensive and detailed journey, exploring both the Passover and the Lord's Supper, and pointing us to challenges inherent in historical theology and practice. His helpful emphasis on eating together with joy and thanksgiving, and on taking time to share a meal and communion in the family and in small groups, also encourages us to thoughtfully reflect on the way we share communion in our larger celebrations together, where so often we are gathering those who are searching and asking questions on their journey towards Jesus." --Mark Bailey, former National Director, New Wine Churches UK "In this book, Nigel Scotland's purpose is to enable 'Christian people...to re-think the way they practice the Lord's Supper.' To do so, he has provided us with a very helpful and thorough biblical and historical overview of the nature and practice of Holy Communion, showing how its intended shape and purpose have been distorted over the centuries. The challenge he leaves us with is how Christ would have us celebrate the sacrament given the multi-faceted contexts and opportunities of today's worshiping communities and so more profoundly 'feed upon him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.'" --Brett Cane, former Chaplain and Lecturer, Trinity College, Br