Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service [Paperback]

Arthur A. (Author), Jr. Just (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2008

The liturgy is not a style of worship. The liturgy is the substance of justification as it is brought through means. This book is an introduction to the liturgy and its importance. It takes the liturgy and makes it easy for the layperson to understand that the New Testament church service brings God's presence, in Jesus the Christ to the people of God who have been cleansed from their sins. This is a holy meeting made possible by the blood of Christ that cleanses the believer. This understanding of the church service helps one to understand that the church service is more than a meeting place; it is the manifestation of the New Testament church on earth as Christ calls His bride around Word and Sacraments. Heaven on Earth will deepen your understanding of the Divine Service and why it remains the Church's chief worship service.

Product Details

• Paperback: 307 pages
• Publisher: Concordia Publishing House (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758606710
• ISBN-13: 978-0758606716
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Lutheran

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original Contribution to a Popular Field, December 18, 2008

By 

Matthew Gunia (Justice, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service (Paperback)

Arthur A. Just, Jr. is a professor of New Testament exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In addition to his seminary teaching, he also directs the deaconess program, co-directs the Good Shepherd Institute of Pastoral Theology and Sacred Music and worked on the lectionary for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's new Lutheran Service Book Hymnal.

Although his training is primarily in New Testament exegetical theology (and considers himself primarily a New Testament scholar), the circumstances of his career have caused him to write, speak, and teach a good deal about the historic liturgy. This book is a summary of his writing on the liturgy to date (7). As such, it reads somewhat like an anthology and somewhat like a traditional book with a unified thesis. That is to say, the chapters are self-contained yet build upon one another toward, each carrying theme throughout.

Just's primary way of presenting the liturgy is that in the Divine Service, something actually happens: 1) God serves us by giving us forgiveness of sins, life, salvation, and a strengthened faith; 2) angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven are united with us in worship, especially in communion; 3) the Body of Christ (the Church) is knit together more tightly; and 4) a nexus between Heaven and Earth exists (that is, worship is an eschatological event).

Just then presents the history and sociology of the Divine Service, viewing them through the windows of these above miracles. He shows the Jewish roots of the Divine Service, the historic use of Psalms in worship, the history and practice of Holy Communion and Baptism, and the relationship between the Divine Service and mission. With a more sociological slant, Just demonstrates that the Christian concept of time is more cyclical than linear; the concept of fellowship, and typology. Just also breaks down the various rites in the Divine Service (e.g. Kyrie, Sanctus), presents their historical development, and their importance in worship.

The singular best chapter is Chapter 11: The Historic Liturgy among Lutherans. Here, Just traces the major shifts in worship. Covered are the Pre-Constantinian Era (where Christianity was illegal and worship was conducted in private residences), the Post-Constantinian Era (where Christians began worshiping in church buildings and the liturgy became more elaborate), the era between the barbarian invasion of the Roman Empire and the Reformation (where Just demonstrates that great damage was done to belief when elaborate rites were introduced to draw in the locals...many parallels with our modern times), the Reformation era (where the Divine Service was purged of its errors), and more current debates. Just uses logic, theology, and historic evidence in this chapter to counter the argument that the Church must adapt its liturgy (or throw it out) to the surrounding culture for the sake of mission.

While the historical development and theology of the Divine Service has been well covered in many books within the past few decades, "Heaven on Earth" makes an excellent contribution to these writings through an emphasis on God's service to us, eschatology, and the problematic positions of many who act in defense of or opposition to the Divine Service. Recommended.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back to the Gift of Christ!, March 27, 2008

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service (Paperback)

Dr. Just has been a significant servant in the Lutheran church for liturgical renewal. In the midst of the worship wars, he modified his approach to not being on the defensive, but going on the offensive to correct some misunderstandings.

He previously developed an excellent video series on this same topic, which he now in this work refines it even more and makes it even more layperson focused, as well as adding some other materials he had previously written as well as some new insights.

The title is most appropriately chosen, for it explains the Lutheran take on the subject: our worship is Biblical and apocalyptic. Christ invades earth from heaven in His presence in the holy means of grace. This historically is from earliest centuries of church through same major components now in Lutheran Divine Service: historic five-fold shape of Entrance, Word, Preparation, Sacrament, Distribution; surrounded by ordinaries, hymns; all this for Jesus to be present among us offering his gifts of life, salvation through forgiveness of sins.

There is excellent glossary and full resource of notes and bibliographic materials.

To be highly used and studied by the church catholic.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great Book!, October 2, 2008

By 

John Thomas (Bridgeville, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divine Service (Paperback)

Let me confess I am a big fan of Dr. Just and own all his books. His series on Luke is tremendous. Luke 1:1-9:50 (Concordia Commentary)Luke 9:51-24:53 (Concordia Commentary). With Heaven On Earth Dr. Just has risen to a new level and taken his readers with him.

Heaven On Earth traces the historic Liturgy back to the days of Christ. He shows how the Liturgy has sustained the church through persecution, heresy, wars, famine, plague and even divisions within the church. And then reminds us to take that Body of Christ when we leave the church and share it generously.

I will be buying copies of this book to give as presents.