Bold type-face at the end of each entry indicates the doctrinal perspective of the author as could be best determined by the compiler of this bibliography. Corrections, additions, and clarifications to this bibliography would be appreciated.

• Argenti, Cyrille - "Children and the Eucharist," . . . And Do Not Hinder Them: An Ecumenical Plea for the Admission of Children to the Eucharist - Faith and Order Paper 109 (pp. 51-58) (Geneva: World Council of Churches) [1982] Orthodox-Greek
  • This article presents a view of infant communion from the Greek Orthodox perspective. It is an excellent article. For those unfamiliar with the practice of infant communion within the Orthodox communion, this article is a necessary reading.
• Beckwith, Roger T - "The Age of Admission to the Lord's Supper," Westminster Theological Journal (vol 38, pp. 123-151) [Winter 1976] Reformed-Presbyterian
  • This is the second of two articles on infant communion. The first is by Christian L. Keidel (WTJ, 37:301-341) supporting infants and young children participating in communion. Beckwith notes that Keidel's arguments for infant communion have no support in antiquity. He disputes the assertion that infants participated in the Lord's Supper and the Passover. Yet, he provides no biblical proof for his position. He depends heavily on post-exilic, first and second century B.C. writings. His use of these sources is not convincing, because many of the errors which Jesus faces grew out of the post-exilic period. Beckwith's strongest point is that the earliest mention of infant communion is around A.D. 250 with references to infant baptism as early as A.D. 180.
• Benjamin, Scott E - "An Exegetical Examination of 1 Corinthians 11:27-29" (Class Paper, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne) [1987] Lutheran
• This paper examines St. Paul's admonition in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 concerning the Lord's Supper. Benjamin's basic conclusion is that the text cannot be used either to support or oppose infant communion.
• Bieritz, Karl Heinrich - "The Lord's Supper as Sacrament of Fellowship," . . . And Do Not Hinder Them: An Ecumenical Plea for the Admission of Children to the Eucharist - Faith and Order Paper 109 (pp. 38-50) (Geneva: World Council of Churches) [1982] Unknown
• This article was not particularly helpful or interesting. The author tends to develop his arguments for infant communion from sociological and emotional factors rather than from biblical theology.

• Cholcher, Jonathan H - "The Meaning and Relationship of Dokimavzw and Diakrivnw Pertaining to Reception of Holy Communion," (Personal Paper, 53 pp) [Epiphany 1997] Lutheran (Orthodox)
  • At the time Cholcher wrote this document, he was a pastor of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Since that time, he has left the Lutheran Church and joined the Orthodox Church. Cholcher asserts that his paper is neither a political manifesto nor an argument for infant communion. However, his strong (and compelling arguments) throughout his paper indicate otherwise. His paper covers three areas - a study of dokimavzw and diakrivnw (and their cognates), a discussion of baptism and faith of infants and small children, and the use of 1 Corinthians 11 in regards to the Lord's Supper in the history of the Church.
  • Cholcher's paper is probably the most thorough manuscript on the subject of infant communion in modern Lutheranism. He covers the exegetical, theological, and historical aspects of the practice. His work on 1 Corinthians 11 ( particularly the study of dokimavzw and diakrivnw) is exhaustive. However, his attempt to show that even children have "attestation and discernment" is rendered moot by a quote he provides from Luther:
    • When in 1 Corinthians [11:28] Paul said that a man should examine himself, he spoke only of adults because he was speaking about those who were quarreling among themselves. However, he doesn't here forbid that the sacrament of the sacrament of the altar be given even to children (p. 46).
  • The heart (and most convincing part) of Cholcher's paper is the discussion of faith. He points out that the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions speak of one faith. So often the arguments against infant communion eventually come to the point of distinguishing between adult and child/infant faith. The opponents of infant communion insist that the worthiness of a communicant is not simply faith, but an intellectual capacity along with faith.
  • Cholcher's overview of the historical changes in the church in regards to infant communion is not new information. He does, however, provide interpretation of these events from a Lutheran perspective. His concluding remarks are strong, unequivocal, unwavering, and uncompromising (p. 51).
• Cook, James I - "The Toughest Issue: Why the RCA Said Yes to Baptized Children at the Lord's Supper," Reformed Worship (no 12, pp 30-32) [Summer 1989] Reformed
• Cook provides a summation of the positions for and against paedo-communion. His Reformed perspective is evident in the article. He does observe that the increased celebrations of Holy Communion in the Reformed Churches served as a leading impetus to the discussion of permitting young children to participate in Communion. He, also, provides a brief interpretation of the 1 Corinthians 11 passage.
• Crawford, Charles - "Infant Communion: Past Traditions and Present Practice" Theological Studies (vol 31, pp 523-536) [1970] Roman
• The purpose of this article is "to show that the Church's faith extends to the whole rite of Christian initiation, namely, baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist." Crawford points out changes which took place in the church which led to the exclusion of infants and young children from communion. He goes off on an excursis (in the middle of the article) about how the church dealt with the sacred elements which were not used in the mass. The footnotes in this article refer to additional sources on the subject of infant communion.
• DeMolen, Richard L - "Childhood and the Sacraments in the Sixteenth Century," Archiv fur Reformationsgeschichte (vol 66, pp 49-70) [1975] Undetermined
• The author focuses on the changes among the various religious groups in how they related the sacraments to each other. He looks at his topic from the perspective of how the Church viewed children and their readiness to participate in the sacraments. Although he doesn't understand Luther's sacramental theology, he does give a good general overview of the practices and teachings of the various church bodies. The footnotes in this article refer to additional sources on the subject of infant communion.
• Eckstein, Thomas R - "Jesus' Flesh and Blood are Food and Drink for Body and Soul (John 6)" (Class Paper, Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis) [1996] Lutheran
• This paper focuses on the text of John 6. Eckstein wants to demonstrate the sacramental nature of John 6 from a Lutheran perspective. He stresses the parallel nature of John 3 (Baptism) and John 6 (Lord's Supper). Although a good paper, it does not deal directly with the issue of infant communion.

• Gritsch, Eric W - "Eucharist and Polity: What Kind of Relationship?" Lutheran Theological Seminary Bulletin (vol 64, no 4, pp. 28-41) [Fall 1984] Lutheran
  • As the title indicates, Gritsch explains how church polity (politics) has shaped the debate on the eucharist (especially for infant communion). He points out that church conventions are better suited to deal with policies than with theology and doctrine.
• Gritsch, Eric W - "Infant Communion: What Shape Tradition?" Academy (vol 36, no 3, pp 85-108) [1979] Lutheran
• Gritsch summarizes the issue of infant communion within the the Lutheran Church in American (LCA) and The American Lutheran Church (ALC) and how these churches dealt with it. He gives a brief overview of the history of infant communion in the Western Church. He devotes a longer section to the theological issues which have been raised in the Lutheran Church from its history, the Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, and the Lutheran Fathers.
• Holeton, David - "Communion of All the Baptized and Anglican Tradition," Anglican Theological Review (vol 69, pp 13-28) [January 1987] Anglican
• Holeton focuses on the controversies in the English Church over Infant Baptism which was connected closely with Infant Communion.
• Holeton, David - "The Communion of Infants: The Basel Years," Communio Viatorum (vol 29, nos 1-2, pp 15-40) [Spring 1986] Anglican
• The author focuses on the disputations between the Bohemians and the Roman Church officials. He summarizes the points offered by the proponents and opponents of communion in both kinds and infant communion. Holetons surmises that the debate was primarily theological for the Bohemians. For the Roman Church and Bohemian government, the political implications were far more important.
• Holeton, David - "The Communion of Infants and Hussitism," Communio Viatorum (vol 27, no 4, pp 207-225) [1984] Anglican
• This article focuses on the historical events and people who influenced the restoration of infant communion. Holeton notes the close connection of more frequent communion and restoration of laity to the chalice with the move toward infant communion. The endnotes in this article refer to additional sources on the subject of infant communion.
• Holeton, David R - "The Communion of Infants and Young Children," . . . And Do Not Hinder Them: An Ecumenical Plea for the Admission of Children to the Eucharist - Faith and Order Paper 109 (pp. 59-69) (Geneva: World Council of Churches) [1982] Anglican
• This article is good but not deep. Holeton provides a brief overview of the historical evidence for infant communion.
• Holeton, David - Infant Communion -- Then and Now: Grove Liturgical Study 27 (Bramcotte, Grove Books) [1981] Anglican
• Holeton's basic premise is the unity of the three-fold initiation rite (baptism, chrismation/confirmation, communion). If children are baptized, they should begin communing. If children are going to be restrained from communing, then they should not be baptized. The footnotes in this article refer to additional sources on the subject of infant communion.
• Holeton, David R and Eberhard Kenntner - "Eucharist with Children in the Churches of the World," . . . And Do Not Hinder Them: An Ecumenical Plea for the Admission of Children to the Eucharist - Faith and Order Paper 109 (pp. 70-81) (Geneva: World Council of Churches) [1982] Anglican (Holeton) / German Ch - Reformed (Kenntner)
• This article covers the basic facts of where and how infant communion is practiced in the world today.
• Hopko, Thomas - "Children and Holy Communion" (Chapter 5), All the Fullness of God (Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir Seminary Press) [1982] Orthodox
• Father Hopko presents a concise summary of the issue of infant communion from the viewpoint of the Orthodox Church. He highlights its practice in the Orthodox Church. He points out the challenges facing the Orthodox Church in the American religious climate.

• Keidel, Christian L - "Is the Lord's Supper for Children?" Westminster Theological Journal (vol 37 (Spring 1975), pp 301-341 [1975] Reformed-Presbyterian
  • This is the first of two articles on infant communion. The second is by Roger T. Beckwith (WTJ, 38:123-151) opposing infants and young children participating in communion. Keidel raises three key points in his assertion that infants and young children should be restored to the Lord's Supper: 1) the analogy between the Passover and the Lord's Supper, 2) the analogy between the Old Testament sacrificial meals and the Lord's Supper, and 3) infant membership in the New Testament Church. The best part of his work is comparing infant participation in the Passover being completed with infant participation in the Lord's Supper. The weakness of his paper is that he diminishes the Lord's Supper to a mere memorial meal. The footnotes in this article refer to additional sources on the subject of infant communion.
• Kelly, Robert A - "Is 'Infant Communion' Un-Lutheran and Anti-Confessional," Consensus (vol 16, no 1, pp 57-77) [1990] Lutheran
• This article approaches the subject of infant communion from a perspective of the Lutheran Confessions. It addresses issues most likely to be raised by opponents of infant communion who have a Lutheran background. He aptly points out that the key issue for Lutherans is FAITH - namely, "what is faith?"

• MacDonald, Finlay - "Baptized Children, Confirmation, and Holy Communion," Scottish Journal of Theology (vol 33, no 6, pp 552-565) [1980] Reformed-Presbyterian
  • MacDonald's main concern is baptizing children into Christ and then denying them Christ (in the Supper) until they are mature enough. His Reformed viewpoint is evident in his understanding of grace.
• Marcincic, Scott M - "Truly Worthy and Well-Prepared: A Reexamination of Infant Communion in Light of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions with a Brief Historical Introduction," (Personal Paper, 50 pp, HTML) [1995] Lutheran
• Marincic's paper seeks to look at Infant Communion from a Scriptural and Confessional Lutheran perspective. He approaches the subject in two areas - 1) the historic traditions and 2) the interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11:28. The historical section looks at the early church, the Hussite (Bohemian) church, and the English church. The exegesis of 1 Corinthians 11 includes a study of dokimavzein and diakrivnein along with its usage within the Lutheran Confessions.
• Marincic's paper provides a thorough study of infant communion which can be understood by both theologian and laity. His presentation and line of reasoning are directly specifically at people within The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. This paper is probably the best presentation of infant communion from a confessional Lutheran and conservative Christian perspective.
• Müller-Fahrenholz, Geiko (editor) - "Eucharist with Children: Report of the Bad Segeberg Consultation," . . . And Do Not Hinder Them: An Ecumenical Plea for the Admission of Children to the Eucharist - Faith and Order Paper 109 (pp. 4-19) (Geneva: World Council of Churches) [1982] Ecumenical
• This article by the editor of the work provides an overall picture of the purpose of the Bad Segeberg Consultation. Müller-Fahrenholz presents the arguments for infant communion with a liberation theology perspective. Also, it is clear that one of the driving forcing behind infant communion is the practice in many of these churches of "open communion." The report seems to justify the participation of children in communion because they are oppressed and the Eucharist shouldn't exclude the oppressed.

P-Q-R-S

• Pearcy, David L - "Infant Communion - Part I: The Historical Practice" Currents in Theology and Mission (vol 7, pp. 43-47) [Feb 1980] Lutheran
  • Part I of this three part series addresses the historical issues related to infant communion. Pearcy reviews the changes in the western church regarding infant communion and the initiation rite. He briefly summarizes the removal of infants from communion. He concludes Part I with an overview of changes in the Lutheran Church in American (LCA) and The American Lutheran Church (ALC) which allow younger children to commune.
• Pearcy, David L - "Infant Communion - Part II: Present Barriers to the Practice" Currents in Theology and Mission (pp. 166-170) [Jun 1980] Lutheran
• Part II deals with the barriers to introducing infant communion. Six points are addressed - faith, interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11, age of reason, liturgy, indiscriminate baptizing, and uniformity. Except for his discussion on 1 Corinthians 11, Pearcy does a good job in presenting the present barriers to infant communion. His comments on 1 Corinthians 11 tend to re-interpret the text in light of a social (or liberation) theology.
• Pearcy, David L - "Infant Communion - Part III: Reasons for Restoration" Currents in Theology and Mission (pp. 162-168) [n.d.] Lutheran
• In Part III, Pearcy provides suggestions in order to overcome the barriers to infant communion. However, some of his arguments grow out of child psychology and social development theories. Thus he points to some ability (or worthiness) in the child apart from faith in Jesus Christ.
• Senn, Frank C - "Issues in 'Infant Communion'" Dialog (vol 22, pp. 221-226) [Summer 1983] Lutheran
• This article deals primarily with the issues of infant communion with the Lutheran Church in American (LCA). Senn briefly mentions the historic evidence relevant to infant communion along with a summary of a document prepared by the World Council of Churches.
• Sutcliffe, John M - "Children and Holy Communion," . . . And Do Not Hinder Them: An Ecumenical Plea for the Admission of Children to the Eucharist - Faith and Order Paper 109 (pp. 24-37) (Geneva: World Council of Churches) [1982] Reformed
• This article is basically a summary of Sutcliffe's unscientific survey of children's perspective on the Lord's Supper.

• Taft, Robert - "On the Question of Infant Communion in the Byzantine Catholic Churches of the USA," Diakonia (vol 17, no 3, pp 201-213) [1982] Roman
  • This article is a summary of the Roman Church's position on infant communion. Practical suggestions are offered for implementing the practice of communing infants in Roman parishes. Taft provides an interesting perspective on the historical evidence for infant communion from a Roman viewpoint. In the body of the article is a reference to Ordo Romanus XI.
• Van Soest, Bert E. - "Admitting Children to the Lord's Table Upon Confession of Faith," Reformed Review (vol. 40, pp. 206-213) [Spring 1987] Reformed
• This article seeks to demonstrate the necessity of intellect and emotions in regards to faith. The author maintains that adequate knowledge is required for worthy participation in Communion. Van Soest disputes the historical evidence which is offered in support of infant communion. He is also opposed to people participating in communion before a confession of faith. The endnotes in this article refer to additional sources on the subject of infant communion.
• Walther, Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm - Amerikanisch-Lutherisch Pastorale (St. Louis: Concordia) [1872] Lutheran
• Rev. Marincic points out that the first paragraph under "Anmerkung 2" (Note 2) is a quote from Luther's Brief an Hausmann vom Jahre 1523. XXI, 841 which is not included in the American Edition of Luther's Works.
• Weil, Louis - "Disputed Aspects of Infant Communion," Studia Liturgia (vol 17, pp 256-263) [1987] Anglican
• This article focuses on infant communion in light of revisions made to the Book of Common Prayer. The author stresses the importance of connecting Communion with Baptism. Weil asserts that Baptism is the full initiation into church membership and therefore baptized infants should participate in Communion. The endnotes in this article refer to additional sources on the subject of infant communion.
• Wietzke, Walter and Wayne Stumme (ed) - Study Document: Admission of Infants to Holy Communion (The American Lutheran Church) [1982] Lutheran
  • This study document contains brief papers from one parish pastor and two professors who respond to the arguments for and against infant communion. All three writers oppose the practice of infant communion. The bibliography in this article refers to additional sources on the subject of infant communion.

Copyright © 2005 Gary V. Gehlbach