Children at the Lord's Table?: Assessing the Case for Paedocommunion

A growing trend among Reformed churches is the practice of admitting young children to the Lord's Supper. In Children at the Lord's Table?, Cornelis P. Venema provides an insightful analysis of the theoretical arguments used by advocates of this recent trend. After clarifying terms and explaining arguments often made in favor of paedocommunion, he considers the history of the church's confessions, teaching, and practice regarding the proper recipients of the Lord's Supper. Presenting a historical, exegetical, and systematic treatment of the subject, Venema demonstrates the validity and value of having covenant children partake of first communion subsequent to their personal profession of faith. This is an invaluable resource for every pastor within the Reformed tradition.

Table of Contents:
1. Introducing the Question
2. Paedocommunion in Church History
3. Paedocommunion and the Reformed Confessions
4. The Old Testament Evidence Regarding the Participation of Children in Covenant Observances
5. The New Testament Evidence Regarding Paedocommunion
6. A Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 111:17-34
7. Concluding Observations and Evaluation
Appendix: Covenant Theology and Baptism

Cornelis P. Venema is the president and professor of doctrinal studies, Mid-America Reformed Seminary, Dyer, Indiana. He serves as an associate pastor of the Redeemer United Reformed Church, a coeditor of the Mid-America Journal of Theology, and contributing editor of The Outlook. He is also the author of The Lord’s Supper and the “Popish Mass”: A Study of Question and Answer 80 of the Heidelberg Catechism.