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Theological Foundations of Worship
This volume brings together an ecumenical team of scholars to present key theological concepts related to worship to help readers articulate their own theology of worship. Contributors explore the history of theology's impact on worship practices across the Christian tradition, highlighting themes such as creation, pneumatology, sanctification, and mission. The book includes introductions by N. T. Wright and Nicholas Wolterstorff. A forthcoming volume will address the historical foundations of worship.
- GenresTheology
320 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 13, 2023
Fun(ny) fact(s): The sheer number of references to both James K. A. Smith's Desiring the Kingdom and Alexander Schmemann's For the Life of the World...
Favorite quote/image: "However we move our bodies in worship, it is with our bodies that we join all of creation's praise and, in our respective liturgical contexts, thereby discover the ways in which we might cling to God and release to God, stretch out to God and retreat from God, turn and return to God, fall before and rise again in faith before a God who reaches out to us in grace and turns our tentative gestures of faith into full fledged movements of love and adoration." (pg. 51, "Worship and Creation" by W. David. O. Taylor)
Honorable mention: "Worship is about human beings orienting themselves toward God, acknowledging his transcendent magnificence and indwelling presence...If we do not worship, we not only violate God, but we also violate what it means to be essentially human...theologically speaking, worship is that which all humanity longs for in God, since it is in worship where our humanity thrives and flourishes." (pg. 66-67, 70, "Humanity and Worship" by Ronald T. Michener)
Why: This was part of my assigned reading for Leadership for Congregational Ministry, and it is an interesting collection of articles about worship as related to other theological concepts. I found it to be a helpful introduction and source of further reading suggestions on specific ideas and topics of interest, but this was not a great book to read straight through as many ideas and concepts were repeated, but did not build, due to the structure of such a volume.
Favorite quote/image: "However we move our bodies in worship, it is with our bodies that we join all of creation's praise and, in our respective liturgical contexts, thereby discover the ways in which we might cling to God and release to God, stretch out to God and retreat from God, turn and return to God, fall before and rise again in faith before a God who reaches out to us in grace and turns our tentative gestures of faith into full fledged movements of love and adoration." (pg. 51, "Worship and Creation" by W. David. O. Taylor)
Honorable mention: "Worship is about human beings orienting themselves toward God, acknowledging his transcendent magnificence and indwelling presence...If we do not worship, we not only violate God, but we also violate what it means to be essentially human...theologically speaking, worship is that which all humanity longs for in God, since it is in worship where our humanity thrives and flourishes." (pg. 66-67, 70, "Humanity and Worship" by Ronald T. Michener)
Why: This was part of my assigned reading for Leadership for Congregational Ministry, and it is an interesting collection of articles about worship as related to other theological concepts. I found it to be a helpful introduction and source of further reading suggestions on specific ideas and topics of interest, but this was not a great book to read straight through as many ideas and concepts were repeated, but did not build, due to the structure of such a volume.
March 9, 2025
This is a must read for anyone wanting to explore or expand their thoughts/ideas on theology. I found it to be a wonderful introduction to the array of topics and discussion of the Christian faith. This collection of essays by various scholars provides additional reading materials to further one's Christian education. I wish anyone who identifies or once identified as a Christian would consider reading this text (or parts of it) to challenge their understandings and gain a new perspective on this thing called Worship. I will be revisiting this text over and over again in the near future.
October 5, 2021
I reviewed this book for the Englewood Review of Books and my review can be found there.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews