Themes and Variations for a Christian Doxology by Mr. Hughes Oliphant Old

by Hughes Oliphant Old

Old says that worship is best understood by means of several distinctive Biblical concepts which are tied together by the word doxology. Through a series of engaging vignettes--from the lamentations of Israel to the supplications of the Benedictine office--Old presents a rich profusion of worship variations that have developed out of the Biblical themes for a Christian doxology.

Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 1992

About the author

Dr. Hughes Oliphant Old was the John H. Leith Professor of Reformed Theology and Worship at Erskine Theological Seminary and Dean of the Institute for Reformed Worship. He was a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary and studied at the University of Tübingen, the Protestant Theological Faculty of Paris, the Institute Catholique of Paris, and the University of Basel. He completed a D. théol. at the University of Neuchâtel and was appointed a member of the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, New Jersey. His 18 years of pastoral ministry in two churches, combined with meticulous research, has informed his prolific publishing.

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hughes Oliphant Old is a scholar and a pastor deeply concerned about worship in the Reformed tradition. Old originally wrote the book, "Themes & Variations for a Christian Doxology," as lectures at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. The book reads like a collection of lectures. Each lecture is fascinating, but one is never sure where the author is going to go. The lectures include topics as varied as prayer, liturgy, preaching, art, architecture, music and hymnody. If you are looking for a systematic treatment of worship, this is not it. For a methodical study, I would invite the reader to ready Old's "Worship Reformed According to Scripture."

That being said, the title is extremely appropriate for the book. Just as a fugue has a particular theme that is given a variety of voices, the lectures explore the theology of worship as doxology. As typical for a Reformed theologian, the themes are thoroughly rooted in the Scriptures--invocation, proclamation, wisdom, prophecy and covenant. These biblical themes are then voiced by the varied elements of worship. The index becomes a valuable resource. It allows one to follow the voices through the book's themes.

Old's writing is clear and delightful. Each lecture will provide interesting discoveries and insights from the Scriptures and the history of worship.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, where Mr. Old weaves together various aspects of theology and applies them to worship.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as some of his other books, but still very helpful.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine a warm grandpa sitting in a rocking-chair telling you stories about your family history.

That's Hughes Oliphant Old.

You know he could keep going on and on and you wish that he did...