This book will guide the reader through a variety of passages of Scripture recorded in the Gospel of Luke that placed Jesus at the dinner table. The stories represented in the passages of Scripture demonstrate a number of situations into which Jesus was either thrust, or into which he placed himself. My desire with this book is to encourage the reader to come back to what is important--the table--but more crucially to recognize the importance of engaging people around a proverbial table with whom you may not normally associate. The purpose of this book is to challenge your thinking as a believer regarding people's needs and how you might meet them, and to challenge your view of contemporary Christianity and the hypocrisy with which we are so often accused. Finally, I hope to make Jesus's table talk a welcome part of your faith and life as a believer. ""Dr. Townsend has the unique proficiency of taking ancient truths and translating them into twenty-first-century realities. The urgency to take back relational dinner conversations has never been greater. Mother Teresa said, 'If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.' Seize the day, grab your copy today, and invite Jesus back into your table talk discussions."" --Brad Rosenberg, Board Chairman, Convoy of Hope ""Dr. Scott Townsend combines some of my favorite ingredients: Jesus, food, and reaching lost people! If you have a taste for any of the above, then you'll be sure to glean from the insights in this book. Oh, and while you're reaching, you can plan your next cookout and which far-from-God friends you can invite. --Douglas Witherup, Lead Pastor, cfa church, and author of Interrobang Preaching ""This book is an insightful look into how our cultural lens affects our interpretation of Scripture. Scott does a great job at opening the Western eye to seeing Christ and his actions as they were intended. This is never easy, and crossing cultures makes it even more challenging. Scott's book is a must read for every believer who desires to live out the Great Commission."" --Brent & Lori Enget, Missionaries to Europe, Assemblies of God World Missions Scott Townsend serves as the assistant dean of the graduate school at Trinity Bible College and Graduate School where he has served for eighteen years in a variety of roles. Scott has a BA from Trinity Bible College, two MAs from Crown College, and a PhD from Northcentral University. Scott, his wife Ginger, and their three daughters and one son live in North Dakota.
