The Liturgy Explained

by Thomas Howard, Howard Thomas

A concise and clear introduction to the Episcopal liturgy that helps newcomers understand what is happening on Sunday mornings. An appendix called "Why Do You Do That?" provides useful explanations of bowing, genuflecting, bells, and other parts of the worship experience.

50 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1981

About the author

Thomas Howard (b. 1935) is a highly acclaimed writer and scholar.

He was raised in a prominent Evangelical home (his sister is well-known author and former missionary Elisabeth Elliot), became Episcopalian in his mid-twenties, then entered the Catholic Church in 1985, at the age of fifty. At the time, his conversion shocked many in evangelical circles, and was the subject of a feature article in the leading evangelical periodical Christianity Today.

Dave Armstrong writes of Howard: "He cites the influence of great Catholic writers such as Newman, Knox, Chesterton, Guardini, Ratzinger, Karl Adam, Louis Bouyer, and St. Augustine on his final decision. Howard's always stylistically-excellent prose is especially noteworthy for its emphasis on the sacramental, incarnational and ‘transcendent’ aspects of Christianity."

Like C.S. Lewis, who he greatly admires and has written about often, Howard is an English professor (recently retired, after nearly forty years of teaching), who taught at Gordon College and then at St. John's Seminary. He is a highly acclaimed writer and scholar, noted for his studies of Inklings C.S. Lewis Narnia Beyond: A Guide to the Fiction of C.S. Lewis (2006, 1987) and Charles Williams The Novels of Charles Williams (1991), as well as books including Christ the Tiger (1967), Chance or the Dance (1969), Hallowed be This House (1976), Evangelical is Not Enough (1984), If Your Mind Wanders at Mass (1995), On Being Catholic (1997), and The Secret of New York Revealed.

Reviews

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The booklet I read was by Thomas Howard, so I assume Katherine L. Howard is somehow related. Not sure how... but the front of the book otherwise looks the same.

This is a very brief 48 page booklet, giving basic explanations for the liturgy used in the Anglican church. Having grown up in a Protestant denomination, I have been recently reading books from an Orthodox and a Catholic (Roman, Anglican, Lutheran) perspective.

The focus of a church service in most Protestant churches is the sermon, the teaching from the word of God. From reading this little booklet, the focus of an Anglican church is the Eucharist or Lord's Table. However the Eucharist INCLUDES the reading of God's word, the teaching from God's word (the sermon or homily), and the hearing of God's word through music AND the Lord's Table. It is more "all in one" instead of separated out as it is in Protestant churches.

Questions like "when and why us incense used?", "why does the priest wear robes?", "what does the ringing of the bell mean?", "why is the cross carried out in the middle of the congregation for the gospel reading?". These questions and more are addressed. They are in overview style, not detailed, but appropriate for a lay person who just wants to know "why do you do that?".

I would recommend this book if you want to know the basics of the ritual (the words in the liturgy) and the ceremony (the actions in the liturgy). There is a reason for everything, but I have found that many people who grew up in this Christian heritage don't have the slightest clue as to what anything means. So, read this book... and you'll find out about the movements, words, chants, items used, and the basic overview of the service.

[Rebekah Rooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a helpful guide to understand more about the liturgy and practices of ancient traditions. It has made me understand the intention and beauty behind tradition. It is by no means a comprehensive explanation of all tradition within the church, it is rather a short overview which is helpful to one who is new to liturgical worship. Because it is so short I found it to be not overwhelming but also wished that it would expound a little farther but alas that is not the purpose of this book. It is just to help familiarize and explain the elements of liturgical worship.

[Matthew Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a short introduction to some of the meaning behind Episcopal and Anglican liturgy, this does the job. It's lacking a lot of detail, and the author strays a bit at moments, but it's short enough to give the basics, and that shortness doesn't let the rabbit trails go on long at all.

[Michael T Moos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro to the liturgy. Short read.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming in at only 48 pages, this is more of a pamphlet than a book, but hey, I've got to start somewhere! Written in 1981 by a layperson in an Episcopal church, this book goes through each step of a liturgical Anglican service and explains the meaning and intent behind all of the things that might go on (such as a person bowing before a cross or praying for people who have died) as well as reasons for the order in which various elements occur. I felt that he was gracious in his writing, avoiding "this is the way it must be done" pronouncements. And in spite of the fact that it is a book of explanations, he leaves plenty of room for mystery. One choice quote: "It is ordinarily a safe rule with the words of Jesus to suppose that he meant at least as much as he said, and probably more than we can quite take in."

** Note: The author of his book is Thomas Howard, not Katherine L. Howard - the name that is showing up in the Good Reads database.

[Lyndon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, succinct, informative.