HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP

by Richard M. Spielmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 1966

This small volume offers a general history of Christian worship in non-technical terms for laymen and clergy. Its aim is to provide a historical perspective for contemporary liturgical renewal. The task of this movement is that of restoring and renewing corporate worship, reversing the decline of worship which the author accredits to individualism and the lack of corporate participation, in Protestantism and Catholicism alike. The historical development of the book follows the usual chronology of church histories--from the New Testament and early church through the patristic, post-Constantine and Medieval periods, the Reformation in Europe and in England, and subsequent developments into modern times. Although apparently intended to review the whole course of Christian worship, the shape of worship in Orthodox churches is touched on only lightly, and the space given to English events and the formation of the Book of Common Prayer might give the impression that these Anglican developments were co-terminous with Christian worship in these later centuries. Nothing is said about the interaction between Christian worship and social concerns such as those troubling the churches today, nor about new liturgical developments coming through the revival of relationship between liturgy and the arts. A selected bibliography will be helpful for the more intensive students.

Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1966

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Seabury

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1966

Categories: NONFICTION