Theologia Prima: What is Liturgical Theology?

by David W. Fagerberg

Liturgical Theology is often a convenient label for any theology that has loosely to do with worship or eucharist. In this innovative book, David Fagerberg distinguishes liturgical theology from a general theology of worship. In straightforward, clear, concise language, he dilates our definition of liturgy. He proposes two defining attributes of liturgical theology: (1) lex orandi: it is manifested in the Church's historical rites (2) theologia prima: it is theology done by the liturgical community

The subject matter of this book is how the liturgical assembly makes theological adjustment to its encounter with God. Liturgical theology is therefore the basis for all theology, whether done by a believer in the pew, a monk in the cell, or an academic in the study.

Theologia Prima: What Is Liturgical Theology? is a thorough revision of Dr. Fagerberg's groundbreaking What Is Liturgical Theology? (The Liturgical Press, 1992). It has been reorganized for easier reference and contains new examples as well as more anecdotal material derived from Dr. Fagerberg's extensive experience as a teacher and theologian.

Genres: Theology, Catholic, Religion

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

David Fagerberg holds a B.A. from Augsburg College (1972), M.Div. from Luther Northwestern Seminary (1977), M.A. from St. John’s University, Collegeville (1982), S.T.M. from Yale Divinity School (1983), and M.A., M.Phil., and PhD. from Yale University (1991). He taught in the Religion Department of Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, from 1988-2001; the Liturgical Institute at Mundelein Seminary 2002-03; he has been at Notre Dame since 2003. His area of study is liturgical theology – its definition and methodology – and how the Church’s lex orandi (law of prayer) is the foundation for her lex credendi (law of belief). He also has interests in sacramental theology, Eastern Orthodoxy, linguistic philosophy, scholasticism, G. K. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing style is chaotic and repetitive, but through it Fagerberg offers a brilliant analysis of liturgical theology. He doesn't ever really define the limits of "thick" and "thin" liturgy (what is necessary at the core and what is man's contribution) but he does provide a many-faceted look at liturgical theology as primary theology.