Clement Quote by Ben Witherington III
““When one gets to Clement or Hippolytus, we are clearly a long way from what we find in Paul and the Gospels, where the influence of the Passover is still strongly present and the meal is seen as a family meal, taken in the home, a memorial meal to remember Jesus’ death until his return...Here then is a cautionary reminder — the less Jewish the approach one takes to the Lord’s Supper, the more likely one is to be wrong about one’s assessment of what is the case about the elements.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The New Testament in Its World, Ben Witherington III, 2004
The passage warns that distancing the Lord’s Supper from its Jewish roots leads to misinterpretation of its meaning and practice.
In simple terms: Ignoring Jewish origins distorts the meaning of communion.
Key Takeaway
Preserve Jewish context to understand the rite correctly.
Themes
theity
interpretation
tradition
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
theological
educational
When to use this quote
- church teaching
- seminary study
- personal worship
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Jewish roots
Christian sacraments
historical context
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing Jewish origins change your view of communion?
- What aspects of the rite might be lost without this context?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on tradition may limit contemporary relevance.
