* Warning: you may hear Megan and Michael munching on "Tumnus cake" throughout this episode. Head to the "Marge and Dave" section below for the recipe.

For argument's sake: where we take a debate, cut out the party politics and try to talk it out

It’s Christmas – but should Christians be feasting or fasting?

It's hard to avoid excessive amounts of food at this time of year. But should Christians be taking a counter-cultural approach, just as in Orthodox traditions where people have fasted during Advent for centuries?

Megan and Michael explore the theology of food and offer a biblical understanding of Christmas feasting.

Mentioned in this segment:

• Bible passages:
  "Physical training is of some value ..." – 1 Timothy 4:8
  "Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them ..." – Mark 7:15
  Jesus invites the disciples to a BBQ breakfast on the beach – John 21
  Jesus feeds the five thousand – Matthew 14:13-21
  Paul advises Timothy to drink "a little wine" – 1 Timothy 5:23
  Paul corrects abuse of the Lord’s Supper (communion) – 1 Corinthians 11: 17-34
  "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers ..." – Hebrews 13:2
  "Do not even eat with such people" – 1 Corinthians 5:11

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German theologian – quote about isolation and community

Further reading:

• Aleteia article: Christmas is coming — time to start fasting?

What’s going on? Going deeper into what’s happening in the church

Dinner Church Movement

In this brand new segment, Megan and Michael explore the relatively new Dinner Church Movement (which is actually based on ancient principles) and key thinker in this area, Kendall Vanderslice.

Mentioned in this segment:

• The Dinner Church Movement Facebook page
• Dinner Church Collective website
• Kendall Vanderslice website and book We Will Feast: Rethinking Dinner, Worship, and the Community of God
• Bible passages:
  Jesus is the "bread of life" – John 6:35
  "One does not live by bread alone ..." – Matthew 4:4
  The walk to Emmaus – Luke 24:13-35

Further reading:

• Religion News Service article: Dinner Church Movement sets the table for food, faith and friendships
• Christianity Today article: Power in the plate
• Faith and Leadership article: Kendall Vanderslice: Feasting brings people together in community

Marg and Dave: reviews from two people obsessed by stories, but not always the same ones

Food in The Chronicles of Narnia series by CS Lewis

Mentioned in this segment:

• Narnia recipes: Try your hand at making "Mr Tumnus’s Sugar-Topped Cake" (which Megan and Michael are munching on in this episode) or "Mrs Beaver's marmalade roll"
• Mark Sayers' This Cultural Moment podcast

Further reading:

• Notable food moments in The Chronicles of Narnia Wiki on Fandom website
• Intersect Project article: Nourishment, delight, and fellowship: The purpose of food in The Chronicles of Narnia

Join in the discussion online

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