The New Testament and the Reform of Christian Worship
Premier liturgical theologian Gordon Lathrop argues that far too often liturgy, preaching, and liturgical theology are informed by nave and outdated exegesis. In another fully original and deeply reflective work, Lathrop partners with newer biblical studies to see the Gospels anew. He treats the Gospels as early witnesses to the meaning of ......
Bruce W. Longenecker presents a variety of material artifacts to illustrate that Christians made use of the cross as a visual symbol of their faith long before Constantine appropriated it to consolidate his power in the fourth century. The cross served as a visual symbol of commitment to a living deity in a dangerous world.
Gathering with others constitutes the essential symbol of Christianity. Assembly is the biblical name for this local community. The book calls the church to think anew about gathering and to refresh its practice, articulating a spirituality that engages the assembly's gathering into the triune God and turns it toward the needs of our neighbors.
Written by Mark Pierson, one of the pioneers in worship curation, this exciting new book explains why effective worship needs to be seen as an art form made up of a series of art works, rather than a mechanistic task of filling in the gaps in an order of service. At the heart of this new way of thinking about worship is the role of the worship ......
While these essays were written at different times and for widely different occasions over an entire career, they are grouped here for convenience in five categories: three are general essays on the tradition of the Church's song; six deal specifically with the Lutheran tradition of worship and church music; three essays discuss different aspects ......
Sing with all the People of God by Chad Fothergill will be especially valuable for church musicians as well as pastors and other rostered leaders. It addresses topics such as skillful preparation, planning, and leadership of assembly song, working with volunteer musicians and staff, navigating questions of musical style, and more.
Explores the role of food in the Christian tradition. This work argues that our eating practices can make us more attentive to our life purposes, more attuned to our community identity and more aware of the presence of God. It considers the important role food and fasting have in the Christian tradition.
Patricia Wilson-Kastner's wonderfully crafted work views the liturgy as a cosmic drama, enacting a sacred meal that grounds us in the universe, draws us into God's creation and redemption, and poses stiff ethical challenges "deep in our bones" to Christians in community. "Liturgy reconnects us with God and with all creation, rekindles in us the ......
This book shows how contemporary religious groups arrange very different sorts of rituals in order to achieve collective encounters with "the spirit." Mixed-methods analysis of rituals across a diverse range of religious traditions shows how Randall Collins' interaction ritual theory opens new pathways for the sociology of religion.
Reading Religious Ritual with Ricoeur extends Ricoeur's philosophical treatment of religion beyond an analysis of mythic symbols and the biblical texts to religious ritual practices. It applies his broader hermeneutic lens to liturgical actions and practices in regard to religious truth, language, imagination, and identity.
Psalms contain comforting language, but it's often surrounded by verses not relevant to healing. "Psalms for Healing" contains only the beautiful, comforting language. It is a resource that any caregiver--chaplain, nurse, hospice worker or family member--will treasure.
The purpose of this book is to expose preaching to its own death-to help it embrace its death-so that it can discover what eternal and abundant life might look and feels like.
Introduces readers to several significant Lutheran women hymn writers from the sixteenth century to the present. Grindal provides fascinating profiles of these Scandinavian women who "preached from home": Dorothe Engelbretsdatter, Birgitte Hertz Boye, Berthe Canutte Aarflot, Lina Sandell, Britt G. Hallqvist, and Lisbeth Smedegaard Andersen.
Praying with Body and Soul involves the whole person: our senses, our bodies at rest or in motion, ourimaginations, as well as our minds and emotions. By paying prayerful attention to the body people will not only recognize the ways in which they already pray, but will learn how to deepen their relationship with God. Each chapter includes ......
