Essential Unity [Paperback]

David Veal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1997

Readers are invited to explore and compare the rich heritage of Lutheran and Episcopal corporate worship as the two churches move toward full communion. In anticipation of the Episcopal and Lutheran Churches' movement toward unity, "An Essential Unity" offers a side-by-side comparison and commentary of the liturgies of Baptism and Holy Communion as celebrated by the two churches.

Editorial Reviews

Review

... a gift to laity and clergy, laying out in simple words the many similarities between the two denominations. -- Lana Cunningham Cooper, as printed in The Adventure, June 1997

... fascinating and educational... wealth of historical information... excellent book for reading, pondering, and informing prayer. -- Sr. Mary Winifred, CA, as printed in Community of the Ascension Newsletter, July 1997

I highly recommend this book to be used in forums and discussions groups in the church. -- The Rev. Stephen Mills, Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, as printed in The San Joaquin Star, July/August 1997

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Morehouse Publishing (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819216984
• ISBN-13: 978-0819216984
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,544,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Church History > Protestant
  • #51 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Protestantism > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Overview of Lutheran-Anglican Unity in Worship, December 20, 2001

By 

Robert Harrell (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Unity (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful document that places liturgies for Eucharist and Baptism from the Lutheran Book of Worship and the Book of Common Prayer in columns, with commentary on the opposite page. It shows the great unity that exists between the two liturgical traditions, both of which follow a broader tradition that is also evident in post-Vatican II Roman Catholic liturgy. (It would be great to see a larger work that also included the Roman Catholic order of worship).

Far from a book written just for Pastors, the book is incredibly useful for laypersons who are curious about one another's traditions. It is especially useful in light of the full communion agreement between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church USA. The book can be employed in personal study, as a resource for group study, and by worship leaders planning joint Lutheran-Episcopal worship services.

What the book is unable to do is highlight the differences you find in the musical settings used for worship in both jurisdictions. The Lutheran Book of Worship has four musical settings, with notation in the LBW that can be followed. The BCP is in plain text, with musical settings offered in the front of the Hymnal, so those unaccustomed to Anglican worship may have to fumble between two resources in the pew. Despite this minor shortcoming, this thin volume is an invaluable resource.