Worship: A Primer in Christian Ritual

Rating:
Summary: Worship: A Primer in Christian Ritual; Keith F. Pecklers, SJ
Review: "For the Christian community, praying in common is a non-negotiable and those who do not pray in common with the rest of the body of Christ cannot rightly call themselves 'Christian'." Fr. Pecklers goes on to say that people might be honest generous, righteous, and inspired by the life of Jesus but if they never pray in common with other Christians they cannot rightfully claim the Christian identity. That is not a harsh exclusion. It is a simple fact because communal worship formed the cornerstone of the early Church (e.g. the last supper), was as a key factor during its history, and remains an integral part of Christian life today.

The Greek word leitourgia, giving rise to the English "liturgy", once had a secular meaning - literally "work belonging to the people". It is used many times in the Greek version of Hebrew scripture (the Septuagint) and became associated with worship in the second century. The term came to signify service to both God and community giving clue to the relationship between Christ and his Church through the Christian community's charitable and ministerial roles within the context of worship.

The formal study of liturgy - the symbols, rituals, forms and practices of worship as they fit into particular theological and cultural settings - is a relatively recent (20th century) phenomenon. Fr. Pecklers is a Rome based American Jesuit who has written extensively about the subject. He is widely traveled and his commentary is not limited to the Roman Catholic liturgy. For example he says when illustrating the necessary corporate nature of Christian worship, "When the Christian community gathers together each Sunday it brings with it all that has transpired the previous week, both good and bad, 'what we have done and what we have left undone', as Anglicans pray in Confession of Sins found within the Book of Common Prayer."

The first four chapters present sound theological and historical foundations proceeding from the Apostolic period to fourth century events, like the Edict of Milan (313), and through the Medieval period that included the innovation of elevating the host and chalice high overhead during the Eucharistic prayer (ca. 1200) that we see frequently even today. The effects of Reformation period events, like the Council of Trent (1545 - 63) and Thomas Cranmer's Book of Common Prayer (1549), on liturgical practice are discussed in detail. The history of this "worship in transition" is then traced into the twentieth century illustrated by such events as the Second Vatican Council (1962-65).

The remaining four chapters introduce thematic, sociological, and cultural material ultimately raising questions about the future of worship in response to our changing world. The interaction of Christian worship with diverse cultures is examined - now called "liturgical enculturation". We read a clear plea for flexibility within the context of theology. The relationship between corporate Christian worship and the popular religious practices of local peoples is discussed in some detail. We have learned much from our Latin neighbors in this regard and the lessons apply well to the needs of immigrants and others in foreign lands. The reasoning extends to arguments favoring a form of worship that is deeply connected to the plight of human society. We are now starting to understand that worship is an integral part of human life rather than being simply a matter of religious rubrics on the periphery of human society. The book concludes with a chapter raising questions about the future of Christian worship in a postmodern, multicultural world saying that, "churches will have important decisions to make about how we worship, who leads us, who is 'worthy' to participate, and how corporate prayer connects to the rest of life."

The book is informative, stimulating, well written and easy to read. It should appeal to anyone interested in or curious about the history of Christian worship and how it relates to human society.

Rating:
Summary: Worship: A Primer in Christian Ritual; Keith F. Pecklers, SJ
Review: "For the Christian community, praying in common is a non-negotiable and those who do not pray in common with the rest of the body of Christ cannot rightly call themselves 'Christian'." Fr. Pecklers goes on to say that people might be honest generous, righteous, and inspired by the life of Jesus but if they never pray in common with other Christians they cannot rightfully claim the Christian identity. That is not a harsh exclusion. It is a simple fact because communal worship formed the cornerstone of the early Church (e.g. the last supper), was as a key factor during its history, and remains an integral part of Christian life today.

The Greek word leitourgia, giving rise to the English "liturgy", once had a secular meaning - literally "work belonging to the people". It is used many times in the Greek version of Hebrew scripture (the Septuagint) and became associated with worship in the second century. The term came to signify service to both God and community giving clue to the relationship between Christ and his Church through the Christian community's charitable and ministerial roles within the context of worship.

The formal study of liturgy - the symbols, rituals, forms and practices of worship as they fit into particular theological and cultural settings - is a relatively recent (20th century) phenomenon. Fr. Pecklers is a Rome based American Jesuit who has written extensively about the subject. He is widely traveled and his commentary is not limited to the Roman Catholic liturgy. For example he says when illustrating the necessary corporate nature of Christian worship, "When the Christian community gathers together each Sunday it brings with it all that has transpired the previous week, both good and bad, 'what we have done and what we have left undone', as Anglicans pray in Confession of Sins found within the Book of Common Prayer."

The first four chapters present sound theological and historical foundations proceeding from the Apostolic period to fourth century events, like the Edict of Milan (313), and through the Medieval period that included the innovation of elevating the host and chalice high overhead during the Eucharistic prayer (ca. 1200) that we see frequently even today. The effects of Reformation period events, like the Council of Trent (1545 - 63) and Thomas Cranmer's Book of Common Prayer (1549), on liturgical practice are discussed in detail. The history of this "worship in transition" is then traced into the twentieth century illustrated by such events as the Second Vatican Council (1962-65).

The remaining four chapters introduce thematic, sociological, and cultural material ultimately raising questions about the future of worship in response to our changing world. The interaction of Christian worship with diverse cultures is examined - now called "liturgical enculturation". We read a clear plea for flexibility within the context of theology. The relationship between corporate Christian worship and the popular religious practices of local peoples is discussed in some detail. We have learned much from our Latin neighbors in this regard and the lessons apply well to the needs of immigrants and others in foreign lands. The reasoning extends to arguments favoring a form of worship that is deeply connected to the plight of human society. We are now starting to understand that worship is an integral part of human life rather than being simply a matter of religious rubrics on the periphery of human society. The book concludes with a chapter raising questions about the future of Christian worship in a postmodern, multicultural world saying that, "churches will have important decisions to make about how we worship, who leads us, who is 'worthy' to participate, and how corporate prayer connects to the rest of life."

The book is informative, stimulating, well written and easy to read. It should appeal to anyone interested in or curious about the history of Christian worship and how it relates to human society.