| Worship and Christian Identity: Practicing Ourselves Contributor(s): Anderson, E. Byron (Author) |
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ISBN: 0814661920 ISBN-13: 9780814661925 Publisher: Liturgical Press OUR PRICE: $23.70 Product Type: Paperback Published: April 2003 Annotation: Virgil Michel, O.S.B., a monk of St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota, was a founder of the Liturgical Movement in the United States in the 1920s and fostered its development until his death in 1938. Father Michel's writing, editing, teaching, and preaching centered on the relationship between liturgy and the life of the faithful -- the Body of Christ. The Pueblo Books imprint of The Liturgical Press honors Virgil Michel's life and work with a monograph series. The Virgil Michel Series offers studies that examine the connections between liturgy and life in particular communities, as well as works that explore the relationship of liturgy to theology, ethics, and social sciences. The Virgil Michel Series is ecumenical in breadth and international in scope, recognizing that liturgy embodies yet transcends cultures and denominations. Worship and Christian Identity argues that sacramental and liturgical practices are the central means by which a church shapes the faith, character, and consciousness of its members. Consequently, for any church to set aside such practices as outdated or irrelevant is to set aside the means by which the church nurtures and sustains its theological identity. From this perspective, Anderson explores the following questions and more: What is the relationship between worship and belief? and What is the relationship between corporate worship and the formation of Christian persons and communities? |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Religion | Christian Rituals & Practice - Worship & Liturgy - Religion | Christian Living - Inspirational - Religion | Christian Theology - General |
| Dewey: 264 |
| LCCN: 2002026712 |
| Series: Virgil Michel |
| Physical Information: 0.69" H x 6.06" W x 9.06" (0.97 lbs) 240 pages |
| Themes: - Theometrics - Catholic - Religious Orientation - Catholic - Religious Orientation - Christian |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Worship and Christian Identity argues that sacramental and liturgical practices are the central means by which a church shapes the faith, character, and consciousness of its members. Consequently, for any church to set aside such practices as outdated or irrelevant is to set aside the means by which the church nurtures and sustains its theological identity. From this perspective, Anderson explores the following questions: What is the relationship between worship and belief? What is the relationship between corporate worship and the formation of Christian persons and communities? What is the relationship between worship and our knowledge of ourselves, our world, and God? How might our attention to the reform and renewal of worship and sacramental practice provide a framework for theological, evangelical, and sacramental renewal? Questions of sacramental practice, inclusive or transformative language, and the renewal of congregational hymnody have been largely displaced by marketing questions and conflicts between "traditional" and "contemporary" worship. The hour of worship is subdivided now into increasingly specialized "target audiences" of singles, seekers, boomers, and "X-ers" with worship carefully packaged as "traditional" or "contemporary." What at various points has been understood as a "means of grace" is now seen primarily as a "means of numerical growth." Missing in the conflict between "traditional" and "contemporary" worship is significant discussion of what is at stake for the identity of Christian persons and communities in the shape and practice of worship. Perhaps more surprising, discussion of the theological shape and practice of worship also has been absent in discussions concerning theological standards. These absences suggest that for many in the church today, worship is a means for expressing a community's belief but has little to do with the shape and character of that belief. The assumption that worship is only or primarily a pragmatic means for expressing a community's belief stands in sharp contrast to the Christian tradition. This assumption also contrasts with the insights provided by recent work in ritual studies, psychology, and faith development. Worship and Christian Identity is an important book for faculty and students in seminary and graduate programs in liturgical studies and religious education, particularly those interested in the relationships between liturgical studies and practical theology, ritual studies and liturgical theology, as well as the role of worship in Christian formation. Chapters are "Making Claims About Worship," "Worship as Ritual Knowledge," "Worship as Ritual Practice," "Trinitarian Grammar and the Christian Self," "Trinitarian Grammar and Liturgical Practice," and "A Vision of Christian Life." |