Man invented cooking before he thought of nutrition.  To be sure, food keeps us alive, but that is only its smallest and most temporary work.  Its eternal purpose is to furnish our sensibilities against the day when we shall sit down at the heavenly banquet and see how gracious the Lord is.  Nourishment is necessary only for a while; what we shall need forever is taste.
-Fr. Robert Farrar Capon, The Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection

Presbyterians and Reformed just don't "get" metaphor, imagery, or symbolism (I am speaking to my own tradition here).  It seems that the last one who did was in some sense the first one, i.e., John Calvin.  Since then, his spiritual descendents have failed to properly esteem the Sacraments, liturgy, and beauty in general.  When one thinks of great literature, he thinks of J.R.R. Tolkien, G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, and Flannery O'Connor.  Anglicans and Roman Catholics.  When one thinks of centuries of church hymnody, he thinks of hymn writers from the Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist traditions.  There are, of course, exceptions.  Our generation thankfully has seen the growth in popularity of Reformed and Presbyterian writers who finally seem to be "getting" it, such as Peter Leithart, James Jordan, and Douglas Wilson; as well as churches, such as the one my family attends, Saint Peter Presbyterian Church. 

This past week saw the death of a truly great writer.  And as with so many others, he was not a Presbyterian.  Fr. Robert Farrar Capon was an Episcopalian Priest and culinary expert.  You can read some good retrospectives here and here.  I was first introduced to Fr. Capon's writings by a dear friend who allowed me to borrow his excellent book The Supper of the Lamb several years ago.  This book is half cookbook and half theological reflection on food, its preparation, and God's wonderful creation.  If you have not read this book, please go to my Amazon link and order it for your library.  It will have a major impact on the way you look at food, taste, hospitality, and the New Jerusalem.  As those of us from the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition begin to recover a nearly lost understanding of liturgy, the role of the Sacraments, and sacred community, writers (and chefs) such as Fr. Capon are extremely helpful in shining light on the path.  Thank you, Fr. Capon, for forever changing the way I look at an onion!