THE LORD’S SUPPER
By Ernest F Kevan & Charles H Spurgeon
Grace Publications. 128 pages. £6.99
ISBN 978 0 946 462 957
This short book combines four addresses given by the Baptist theologian Ernest Kevan on the Lord’s Supper with six sermons given by Spurgeon at Communion. Both are modernised and abridged. Kevan’s addresses seek to explore four different aspects of the Lord’s Supper, while Spurgeon’s are sermons or meditations which are not specifically about Communion, but may be helpful to reflect on during Communion.
Kevan’s addresses seem like an exercise in missing the point. His chapter on Remembrance does not emphasise the cross; the chapter on Covenant touches on many things, but only briefly mentions the forgiveness of sins. The chapters on Fellowship and Hope are better, although Fellowship is discussed as mostly with other believers, not Christ. Kevan’s section may give us some additional insights around the edge of the topic, but it isn’t useful in setting out a theology of the Lord’s Supper.
Spurgeon’s sermons are much more cross-centred and rich in warm, pastoral insights. He meditates on a few Bible verses, particularly focusing on the atonement and God’s rest. A low point is his meditation on Isaiah 52, where he spends an inordinate amount of time reflecting on the beauty or otherwise of Jesus’ physical appearance. There is plenty to chew over here when thinking about the Lord’s death, but again this is by no means a setting out of Communion theology.
