At The Heart Of Christian Worship

Cardinal Yves Congar is universally known and respected as the great ecclesiologist of Vatican II whose seminal ideas helped to reconfigure the landscape of Catholic theology following the council. Less well known is his role in contributing far-reaching insights to the emerging liturgical movement in the church. This collection represents several of Congar's decisive contributions. Reading them makes possible a deeper and more cogent reception of the key ideas of the council documents. These texts are at once both erudite and exciting, both essential and pastorally incisive. There has never been a better time to disseminate these critically important liturgical insights than the present moment.

In this invitingly written, deeply joyful book, Joyce Ann Zimmerman makes Scripture her foundation as she explores the meaning and purpose of authentic Christian worship today. Zimmerman discusses such subjects as the common elements of worship that transcend denominational boundaries, what Scripture tells us about participating in worship, and how authentic worship expresses itself in daily living.

As Christianity has boomed in the non-Western world, several significant questions have emerged regarding how worship and culture relate. Charles Farhadian here presents a timely investigation of the interaction between culture and worship. Leading scholars -- experts in history, mission, culture, and liturgy -- offer diverse essays addressing worship in the context of worldwide Christianity. At the heart of Christian Worship Worldwide are several case studies from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific that explore the contours of particular nations, cultures, and liturgical actions. These essays show how Christian plurality is most vividly exemplified in the context of worship, where language, song, culture, and indigenous theology come together. Contributors: M. L. Daneel Samuel Escobar Charles E. Farhadian C. Michael Hawn Seung Joong Joo Ogbu U. Kalu Thomas A. Kane Miguel A. Palomino Robert J. Priest Dana L. Robert Lamin Sanneh Bryan D. Spinks Andrew F. Walls Philip L. Wickeri John D. Witvliet

If you have ever been in a worship service watching individuals being touched by the Lord and longed for that same life-transforming touch from Jesus, then this is the book for you. And if you are the type of person who has had numerous encounters with the Lord, are addicted to His sweet love and can never get enough, this book is also for you. This book is a how-to handbook to help believers connect heart-to-heart with the Lord, both in private and in group worship, in order to experience real and deeply satisfying intimacy with Him.

Synopsis: Writing for church leaders, worship leaders, and songwriters as well as those interested in theology, Robin Parry looks at why the Trinity matters and addresses pressing questions such as: What is the relationship between theology and worship? Why is the Trinity central to Christian living and believing? Does the Trinity help us understand what we do when we worship? How can we write and select songs that foster an awareness of the Trinity? How can we make the Trinity central through Holy Communion, spiritual gifts, preaching, and the use of the arts? Practical and realistic, Worshiping Trinity shows how we can maintain the centrality of the Trinity in a fast-changing worship culture. Endorsement: "An extremely valuable resource for any pastor, leader, or worshiping heart. In these pages, Robin punches us in the stomach (theologically speaking), gives us a few moments to get our breath back, and then teaches us some nifty moves so that we can defend ourselves better in the future--and even throw a few theological punches of our own. Get your gloves on--this is an extremely helpful book." --MATT REDMAN Worship leader "Robin Parry has given us a terrific resource by which we can see a clearer picture of the God we worship--Father, Son and Holy Spirit." --Keith Getty, Hymn writer "Succeeds in articulating the issues in a manner which is not merely theologically profound but lucid, accessible and profoundly relevant." --Alan J. Torrance, Professor of Systematic Theology "Robin Parry calls us 'higher up and further in' through this well-written, clear, and important book." --Brian McLaren, Pastor and Author "This is a most important book." --Graham Cray, Bishop of Maidstone Author Biography: Robin Parry is commissioning editor for Wipf and Stock Publishers. Prior to that he was commissioning editor for Paternoster, and previously taught A-level Religious Studies and Philosophy at Worcester Sixth Form College. He is married with two daughters.

What does it mean to be in the presence of God's holiness? How can it affect us whether we seek it out or stumble upon it? Can it truly change our very reality to encounter it? The essayists in this volume explore these questions at the heart of Christian worship, considering the oft-neglected Old Testament as essential to understand our purpose in worship. Following the structure of the Hebrew canon -- beginning with the Pentateuch, moving through to the Psalms, then wisdom literature -- each chapter considers a separate aspect of worship, from theater to the Sabbath to sacred space, offering new inspiration. In the final essay Carol Bechtel "rereads the book of Job through the lens of our human limitations (as opposed to the usual theme of theodicy)," with compelling applications for both life and worship. Each of these essays concludes with two appropriately themed hymns and a "For Further Reading" list. Five of the seven contain sidebars that illustrate and enrich key points. Evocative woodcut artwork by Margaret Adams Parker provides a striking backdrop to the text. Taken together, these essays testify powerfully to the belief that the Old Testament is not only valuable but also essential to "whole" and fully foundational preaching and worship. Written primarily by Old Testament professors, Touching the Altar will make an engaging supplemental text for introductory or elective Old Testament courses and will also go far toward providing deeper worship for any Christian. Contributors: Carol M. Bechtel Thomas A. Boogaart Corrine L. Carvalho Ellen F. Davis J. Clinton McCann Jr. Dennis T. Olson Margaret Adams Parker John D. Witvliet

"Teaching That Transforms challenges the assumption that worship and education should be separated. Instead, argues Debra Dean Murphy, worship--the center of the church's life--is distinctly tied in Christian education and formation. "It is in corporate worship that the lives of Christians are most acutely formed and shaped." writes Murphy. "All efforts at forming and discipling Christians should presume the centrality of worship." Murphy critiques the predominant modern, liberal models of education and lays out a theological account of education that is centered on praise. She then explains how this alternative approach would change and renew Christian education.