The Throne and the Table

Recently, a former student told me how useful the analogy of table and throne is when she’s teaching her youth group Bible study. She reminded me of us using this analogy in my course on Luke’s gospel to discuss theology when she was in seminary. So, I thought I would share this with you all. (I admit that I remember conversations that included this language when I was in seminary myself, but I cannot remember who coined it.)

When it comes to a way of thinking about God or a certain passage of Scripture or a particular act of worship, we can think of it as somewhere between the “throne”and the “table.” The throne symbolizes God’s kingship or we might say God’s sovereign transcendence of the world. A throne is approached with reverence and awe.

On the other hand, the table symbolizes God’s kinship with the world. It speaks to the nearness of God and our friendship with God. A table is approached as a familiar place.

Throne

In Scripture, throne language might look like some of the Psalms that extol God’s might and authority over the whole earth (Psalm 10:16). It might look like God rallying his power over the cosmos and sending a storm to subdue the rebellious Jonah (Jonah 1:4) or like Jesus riding out on a white horse with his multitude following (Rev 19:11-16). Out of the two creation stories in Genesis, it probably looks (Isaiah 6)!

In worship, the throne may be solemn hymns and formal address to God. It may look like kneeling in prayer or bowing before the altar.

Theologically, the throne may be thinking about God in terms of Lord, King, or Master. God on the throne commands and is to be obeyed. The one on the throne is most often the one with the authority to judge and make decisions.

Table

In Scripture, the table is often just that—the table. Think about the stories of Jesus eating with his disciples and sinners who others would not eat with (Luke 5:30). It might look like the Psalm where the singer describes being in God’s presence like a child in its mother’s lap (Psalm 131). Returning to Jonah, it might look like the end of the story where God sits next to the disgruntled prophet and talks with him (4:9-11). Of the Genesis creation stories, it probably looks more like the second one—where God walks in the garden with his friends in the evening (Gen 2-3).

In worship, the table may look like songs that describe an intimate friendship with God. It might be prayer that addresses God as Father and describes worshippers as children. The worship setting may be more relaxed, like you’re all sitting on God’s back porch.

Theologically, the table may be thinking about God in terms of friend, family, or comforter. The one at the table is there to have conversations with, to share honest feelings with, and to offer companionship and care.

Balance

It is of the utmost importance to see these two symbols as both good and necessary. And it is normal that there are times when we stress one image over the other. The point is that Scripture, worship, and theology all attest to both aspects—transcendence and imminence—as qualities of divinity. This analogy offers us the opportunity to reflect on the complexity of God and to appreciate the many ways that God shows up in our lives. Finally, it also helps us discern a balance in how we read the Bible, worship, and think about God.