We’re Not Getting Out of This Alive w/ Dr. Cherith Fee Nordling S4:E11

The Quiet Reformation

The Lord’s Table, Part 1

“It’s taken decades for me to be able to say joyfully the things I just said to you, because they didn’t make sense to me. I would dread communion. Honestly, you talk to your average church goer, they do too. Unless there is some kind of a fellowship where somehow there’s been a renewal of what this meal is…”

[2:50] Introducing Dr. Cherith Fee Nordling - a teacher, writer, speaker, and mentor in theology, Biblical studies, and Christian formation. Having taught theology in colleges and seminaries for the past twenty years, she is currently a Sessional Lecturer at Regent College and teaches theology in its Masters program in Leadership, Theology, and Society. She is also a joyful member of the Open Table Conference. Married to Robert, an orchestra conductor, they are presently living in Grand Rapids, MI and sharing life together with four generations of Nordlings!

[3:55] Remembering a Father and Scholar, Gordon Fee

[6:11] The Table always hold the breadth and depth of mystery

[8:40] Jesus is nor a supra-human; he’s one of us, yet holy and faithful in every way.

[10:13] You can’t be who you were made to be, apart from Jesus. You cannot come into your true humanity, which will be forever, apart from participating in the death and resurrection of Christ.

[12:35] We don’t deserve the meal. There is no transacting. You don’t need to do more stuff before you come to the table.

[13:30] How Great Thou Art (Aaron Strumpel)

But when I think that God, his Son not sparing

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in

That on the cross my burden gladly bearing

He bled and died to take away my sin

[17:23] Is the ancient practice of the Lord’s Table out of touch with the modern world?

[21:12] The Lord’s Table is not about something you have to do. It’s about the overflowing, cross-shaped, self-giving love of God. When we make it duty bound, we’re likely just trying to relieve some stress in our lives.

[23:20] The demonic tells lies as the truth. If you are part of the story of Christ, participating in Him, the old constructs of the world can’t be included; you can’t enact a lie.

[27:30] Letters were read out loud in community. You can’t privatize this message about the Table. You are united with Christ… so what the heck is going on? There is no Second Baptist in Corinth… why are you divided?

[recorded: March 30, 2023]

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