James Jordan, a renowned lecturer on paedocommunion, dives deep into the importance of including children in communion practices. He explores the historical and theological implications of paedocommunion, contrasting various denominational views. The conversation touches on the interconnectedness of faith and community, emphasizing baptism's role in family and faith transmission. Jordan challenges individualistic perspectives, advocating for a more inclusive approach in church rituals. His insights invite reflection on the spiritual significance of communal participation.
James Jordan outlines the significance of paedocommunion, advocating for baptized children's inclusion at the Lord's table as part of their covenant membership.
The historical context reveals that paedocommunion was practiced in the early church but evolved away from in Western traditions due to changing doctrines.
Jordan's personal journey showcases a growing acceptance of paedocommunion among clergy, despite ongoing concerns about job security when supporting it openly.
The Theopolis Institute emphasizes financial support as critical for fostering educational initiatives that promote cultural renewal within the church community.
The upcoming summer conference seeks to address contemporary sexual ethics, aiming to cultivate a transformative understanding of biblical teachings on morality.
Deep dives
The Theopolis Institute and Cultural Renewal
The Theopolis Institute focuses on training individuals to lead cultural renewal by renewing the church. Participants engage in learning methods to read the Bible imaginatively, worship God faithfully, and engage critically with culture. The emphasis is on transforming the Christian imagination for effective cultural engagement, which is vital in today’s societal landscape. These educational efforts are aimed at cultivating leaders who can thoughtfully reimagine their approach to faith and community.
Paedo Communion Lectures Overview
The episode features all four classic lectures by James Jordan on the doctrine of Paedo Communion, a topic that has garnered interest within certain theological circles. Jordan discusses the history, significance, and biblical basis for including baptized children at the Lord's table, paralleling their inclusion in infant baptism. He argues that as children have a place in the covenant through baptism, they also have a rightful place at the communion table. This topic has seen varied opinions and debates in the Presbyterian tradition, making Jordan's lectures a timely revisit.
Summer Conference Theme and Importance
The podcast mentions an upcoming summer conference themed around 'sexual sanity in a disoriented age,' highlighting the pressing need for guidance on moral and ethical issues related to sexuality in contemporary culture. The struggle against cultural pathologies requires a transformative church that leads society through love and a renewed understanding of biblical teachings. This conference aims to gather insights from various speakers, fostering a deeper engagement with these critical issues. It's seen as an opportunity for attendees to explore radical transformations in their perspectives and practices related to sexual ethics.
The Importance of Fundraising
As the Theopolis Institute seeks to continue its mission, the episode highlights the need for partners and financial contributions to support the work being done. Fundraising is presented as essential for maintaining and expanding the institute's offerings, including audio, written, and video content, as well as courses and conferences. The call for partnership is framed as a means for listeners to actively support cultural renewal efforts within the church. This emphasizes the collaborative effort of community engagement and resource mobilization to further these educational initiatives.
Personal Journey with Paedo Communion
James Jordan reflects on his lengthy experience with the doctrine of Paedo Communion over the past two decades, sharing that he has lived in congregations practicing this belief. He recounts how the acceptance of Paedo Communion within the Presbyterian Church has gradually increased, with many clergy acknowledging its validity but often hesitating to openly support it due to job security concerns. His observations reveal a slow yet growing recognition of the importance of including children in communion practices among many clergy. This personal journey provides a backdrop to the broader discussions surrounding Paedo Communion.
Defining Paedo Communion
Jordan provides a clear definition of Paedo Communion, which allows baptized children to partake in the Lord's Supper, arguing that baptism alone qualifies individuals for communion. He asserts that children, once baptized, should enjoy all the benefits of belonging to the visible church, which includes participating in communion. By explaining that this practice is rooted in the understanding of covenant community, he challenges longstanding traditions that exclude children from the table. This perspective reframes the concept of communion as an inclusive practice rooted in God's covenant with his people.
Historical Context of Paedo Communion
The historical perspective on Paedo Communion reveals that children participated in communion practices in the early church, with evidence suggesting its prevalence until the Middle Ages. Jordan illustrates that while the Eastern church continues this practice today, the Western church's shift away from it can largely be attributed to evolving doctrines, particularly transubstantiation during the Middle Ages. This historical breakdown provides essential context for understanding the current debates surrounding communion practices. It also illustrates how traditions can develop and change over time, often impacting theological perspectives within the church.
Trinitarian View and Covenant Relationships
In discussing a Trinitarian view of humanity and society, Jordan emphasizes that God's relational nature reflects our covenant relationships with one another. He argues that just as God, who is one and yet a community of persons, is concerned with the social bonds that exist among individuals, so too should we be. The implication is that salvation restores these communal bonds, including relationships between children and parents in the faith. This theological understanding links the inclusion of children within the community of faith as part of God's redemptive plan.
Significance of the Passover Meal
The Passover meal serves as a pivotal connection to understanding the Lord's Supper and its implications for the inclusion of children. Jordan points out that the Lord's Supper is not limited to the Passover but encompasses various meals and communal practices throughout biblical history. By examining how the feasts, including Passover and other sacrificial meals, incorporate children, he argues for a consistent theological framework supporting the case for Paedo Communion. This broadens the understanding of communion beyond mere memorial to a collective meal that includes all members of the covenant community.
Self-Examination and Church Unity
Addressing 1 Corinthians 11, Jordan highlights the theme of self-examination and its relationship to communion practices within the church. He asserts that this passage does not specifically target children but focuses on the need for unity and proper conduct among all believers at the Lord's table. The failure to discern the body of Christ correctly leads to divisions within the church, and the emphasis is placed on exploring communal integrity rather than excluding individuals based on perceived maturity. This reinforces the call for inclusivity in communion practices.
James Jordan's classic lectures on paedocommunion in one big ole episode of the podcast.
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Theopolis Articles on Paedocommunion
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