Tyrone Baker History of Christianity Proposal Church Bar Table/Pulpit For this paper, I chose the circular bar tables that pastors use which have become extremely popular in evangelical churches. I wanted to choose this artifact because it just sprouted spontaneously without any real movement yet has picked up so much traction in churches. Although it’s a new innovation in the church, it is replacing the traditional pulpit which has been an iconic symbol for churches specifically for over 1000 years! I’m mainly interested and curious because this was something that was traditionally based in Christianity with the absence of convicting scripture but through this change, the way messages are portrayed are also changing which would be influenced by this innovative trend. The church has been using pulpits for over 1000 years and it’s been used in countless sermons as an icon for pastors/speakers. As this changed, congregations have taken a much different attitude than before which could just be a reflection of the change or what inspired it to begin with. Nowadays, it’s very common to see the circular bar table at the front of the stage or even on the ground as opposed to the traditional elevated pulpit. The table is a part of the evangelical church that is becoming widespread which is beginning to test the traditional ties of the congregation to the longstanding pulpit! I believe it’s important to understand what the bar table is. The history of the bar table is something that would normally never be associated with Christianity, much less a church! Understanding how it came to be one of the center pieces of a service can really bring an understanding to changes in Christian history. While on the topic of historical backgrounds, knowing the pulpit’s story, why it was implemented, what the spiritual motives and symbolism were! The pulpit also changed in itself over time which should bridge more of a gap from a millennium of changes! Lastly, I think knowing the reasons for how, where, and why the change from the traditional pulpit to a bar table was and that zealous church leaders who are literate in the Bible went forward with this is monumental to an era of the Church! The bar table replaced the longstanding pulpit to remove many of the unbiblical traditions created by the church in an effort to be more Christ-like. Annotated Bibliography Baker, Kris. 2022. Symbolism of the Bar Table in Church. Rev. Kris Wallace Baker Interview by Tyrone Baker. In person. Abbotsford, BC. An interview with Reverend Kris Baker on the Symbolism of the bar table in the church showed different aspects about the circular stand. The table is practical to place notes, water, props etc. all on a flat surface keeping it from falling over. The symbol can show a shade of breaking away from formalized organizational religion. It can portray an informality making the preacher less intimidating and more inviting to someone who is unchurched. It encourages a relational and humble Christ-like attitude towards the congregation. Baker, Kris. 2022. History of the Pulpit. Rev. Kris Wallace Baker Interview by Tyrone Baker. In person. Abbotsford, BC. This interview touches on the history of the pulpit through the lens of longtime missionary and evangelist, Kris Baker. The pulpit carried a nickname known as ‘The Sacred Desk”, giving authority to whoever had the honor and privilege of standing behind it. Different denominations placed their pulpit in different positions which reflected their convictions and theology. It acted as a barrier between the congregation and the speaker, giving them that extra authority. The one who had the title could stand behind it but were expected to deliver the interpretation of the Word of God to the absolute best of their ability. Schaff, Philip. History Of The Christian Church. New York: Scribner, 1915. In the third volume of Schaff’s work, section 103 touches on Christian architecture. When Constantine the Great issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, Christianity gained freedom to worship. With that came empowerment to build, create culture and with that; create/cultivate tradition. Through the freedom and creation of Christian culture came evil ambition and self-righteousness within the church. Through this, different symbols and pieces of furniture were given sacred authority. Brown, Peter. "Jesus In Luke: The Master Of Table Fellowship". Jesus Christ: God, Man And Savior Week Three: Jesus Christ In Luke-Acts, 2014. https://scalar.usc.edu/works/jesus-christ-in-luke-acts/jesus-in-luke-the-master-of-tablefellowship. Peter Brown, writes about the symbolism of the table through Jesus’ ministry through the lens of Luke. The book of Luke places a special emphasis on the importance and practice of table fellowship. Through the table, Jesus would often share spiritual food as well as physical with Israel’s best and worst! The act of fellowship around the practical piece of furniture, the practice of intimacy with others are exercised. Table fellowship reflects one aspect of the future Kingdom of God on Earth! Jones, Barry. "The Dinner Table As A Place Of Connection, Brokenness, And Blessing". Lecture, Dallas Theological Seminary, 2019. Barry Jones, a Ph.D. professor at Dallas Theological Seminary had a lecture about tables being a place of connection as Jesus lived out in the New Testament. He emphasized that when Jesus wanted to teach his disciples about his upcoming death, he sat them down for a meal. The table is also a place for blessings as illustrated when people gather around in celebration of big events! Lastly, it can also be a place of brokenness as is represented when Jesus would sit and be with those who were broken people around a table. The lecture outlines the personal symbolism that a table carries with it. Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia. "pulpit." Encyclopedia Britannica, May 15, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/technology/pulpit. The editors of Encyclopedia Britannica instructed about the direct history of the pulpit within church history. The began in the 9th century where the pulpit consisted of two desks called ambos for the Gospels and New Testament Epistles. At some point by the 13th century, the modern pulpit became the practiced symbol of preaching. The geographical location of the pulpit within the church differed throughout the ages and denominations. Their history changes from quantity, material, location, purpose and even symbolism. Baker, Tyrone. Bar Table. 2022. Baker, Tyrone. Pulpit. 2022
