Customer Reviews

Lutheran Worship: History and Practice

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This book is a collection of essays released to accompany hymnal, Lutheran Worship. The essays are written by bright theologians and pastors on a range of topics concerning liturgy and worship, including Liturgical renewal, Evangelism, history, the Church Year, Church Music, the worship space, Baptism, Communion, Confession and Absolution, and the Divine Service itself. The essays are informative even to veteren pastors, yet generally they are written well enough that they can useful to any interested layman. I consider this book a MUST HAVE for any Lutheran Pastor. For those who are not Lutheran or who are interested in the liturgy will gain a well rounded understanding of worship from this book.

In true LCMS fashion, this work was done by committee. A reputable group of theologians and musicians wrote on the various constructs of the liturgy and Lutheran worship. Given not only is the history, practice and commentary on various Divine Service components, but excellent essays are here to be mined, especially the opening chapter by Dr. Just and Dr. Nagel's contributions!

Lutheran Worship is an excellent summary of how Lutheran traditions of worship came into practice. Recommended for anyone who is interested in learning of the Lutheran Liturgy and history of Lutheran Worship practices.

This book demonstrates clearly that practice affects theology, when we should be letting our theology dictate our practice.

Brauer's book is a helpful resource for those looking to get a synopsis of what the Lutheran Confessions teach on worship. As worship is the active theology of the church (and not necessarily a specific systematic theology topic) we often don't find clear definitions of worship in the Confessions. This is especially true of what many today in the evangelical culture call "worship". But Brauer broadens our perspective with this work. I have found it more helpful as a resource than a book to read from cover-to-cover.