Christ, Baptism and the Lord's Supper - by Leonard J Vander Zee (Paperback)

About the Book

Often the subject of debate, the sacraments are likewise neglected and superficially understood. In this book, Vander Zee not only opens up a Christ-centered approach to the sacraments but also provides guidance on the practical matters that pastors and parishioners face in the pursuit of a renewed and authentic Christian worship.

Book Synopsis

Winner of a Christianity Today Book Award

Baptism. The Lord's Supper. We recognize these church practices. But do we really grasp their meaning and place in Christian worship? Is our neglect of them hindering our communion with Christ? Are we missing the real drama of our salvation?

Often the object of debate, the sacraments are likewise neglected and superficially understood. Leonard Vander Zee makes a compelling case that these problems can be overcome when we see the connection between Baptism and the Lord's Supper and the continuing ministry of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God.

Founding his discussion in biblical teaching reaching back to the creation narrative and forward to the teaching of Jesus and the apostle Paul, Vander Zee sees the Christ-centered celebration of these sacraments as essential to the renewal of the church. A reappropriation of Baptism and the Eucharist, especially in the evangelical church, holds great promise for healing the rift between the natural and the spiritual, the personal and social, the head and the heart, and between the body of believers and our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us and now lives to make intercessions for us.

In Christ, Baptism and the Lord's Supper, Vander Zee not only opens up a Christ-centered approach to the sacraments but also provides guidance on the practical matters that face pastors and parishioners in the pursuit of a renewed and authentic Christian worship.

Review Quotes

"In Christ, Baptism and the Lord's Supper Leonard Vander Zee offers a gift to the whole church. His marvelous clarity, theological acuity and personal warmth make this book a joy to read. Most of all, he helps us reclaim the worship practices of an embodied faith, the bath and the feast that demonstrate Christ's real presence in a world grown weary of mere words."

--Andy Crouch, Columnist, Christianity Today

"The new attitude given to baptism and the Lord's Supper among evangelicals is a positive sign of the deepening of evangelical faith and worship. Christ, Baptism and the Lord's Supper is an important contribution to the current trend toward sacramental thinking because it is rooted in tradition and applied to the health of the present church. More than a study, it is a guide for thoughtful action."

--Robert Webber, Myers Professor of Ministry, Northern Baptist Seminary

Given the rise of contemporary worship services not only in evangelical churches, but also in main line denominations, Vander Lee's book is a must read. Being evangelical and liturgical--in both worship practice and sacramental theology--need not be exclusive of one another, and that contemporary worship need not be completely stripped of all historical and liturgical content in order to be relevant to contemporary society.

--Sacramental Life, Summer 2007

About the Author

Leonard J. Vander Zee (M.Div., Calvin Theological Seminary) is editor in chief for Faith Alive Christian Resources. Previously he served in pastorates in Indiana, Michigan, Iowa and New York. He is the author of In Life and In Death: A Pastoral Guide for Funerals (CRC Publications, 1992) and More Than Words: Prayer as a Way of Life, a Leader's Guide (CRC Publications, 1995). His articles have appeared in The Banner, Reformed Worship, Perspectives and Christianity Today.