The Study of Liturgy [Paperback]

Cheslyn Jones (Editor), Edward Yarnold SJ (Editor), Geoffrey Wainwright (Editor), Paul Bradshaw (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195209222 | ISBN-13: 978-0195209228 | Publication Date: October 29, 1992 | Edition: Revised

Completely revised to incorporate new scholarship and many important developments in liturgical renewal, this standard text remains an essential tool for students of theology and liturgy. It treats the development of the liturgy historically, beginning with Jewish antecedents, then covering the New Testament, Patristic, Medieval, and Reformation periods, and concluding with the increasing interest in liturgy in all churches today. The text deals definitively with the five central rites of Christian worship: Initiation, the Eucharist, Ordination, the Daily Office, and the Calendar. A special section on liturgical settings examines in detail the historical importance of music and singing in the liturgy and the role of hymnody in Christian worship. Reflecting the continuing trend towards ecumenism, the editors represent the Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Protestant traditions, while the Orthodox tradition is represented by the team of contributors, which includes many of the best-known liturgical scholars.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Very usable for a course in Liturgy. It is one of the most comprehensive texts that has come across my desk. In a multi-cultural, multi-national campus, the ecumenical inclusion is most helpful."--Sister Nivard Stabile, St. John's University

"An excellent overview for those beginning graduate studies in theology."--Herbert Ryan, Loyola Marymount University

"Addresses most fully precisely those topics treated most lightly in Lutheran Worship: History and Practice... The reason to buy this book is the 500-page discussion in the middle, accurately and sensitively presented..."--Issues in Christian Education

"An excellent resource for theological seminary classes. Students especially appreciate the listing of resources (bibliography) at the beginning of chapters. Challenging, thorough, but easy reading. Clear and concise."--Melva Wilson, Interdenominational Theological Center

"A superb resource for students of the history and current issues of liturgy."--Michael Warren, St. John's University

"Best text I have seen available for a college course on the liturgy."--Robert B. Fisher, Xavier University of Louisiana

"Lives up to the high standards of the series!"--Richard Kieckhefer, Northwestern University

"Provides excellent historical and theological material. I will find it particularly useful in giving a comparative ecumenical background."--M. McGlone, Avila College

"One of the finest one-volume works on the liturgy available today. The high standard of all the contributions, and the ecumenicity of outlook serve a beginner in the field well."--Mark R. Francis, Catholic Theological Union

"Ecumenical overview of development of liturgy over the centuries--points student to the primary texts and provides current bibliographies....Would have a wide appeal."--Sr. Madeleine Grace, University of St. Thomas

About the Author

Geoffrey Wainwright, Robert E. Cushman Professor of Christian Theology, Duke University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 646 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Revised edition (October 29, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195209222
• ISBN-13: 978-0195209228
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Jewish Life
  • #43 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Ministry & Church Leadership > Church Institutions & Organizations
  • #96 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Ritual

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Reasons Why We Do What We Do, May 6, 2000

By 

K. Jenkins - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Study of Liturgy (Paperback)

The Study of Liturgy provides an easily readible and comprehensive history of the development of Liturgy. This study shows how such things as seasonal colors, vestments,Church calenders,and specific prayers came to be part of liturgical worship. What makes this book so useful is it's quality writing. Here, both students of Liturgy and interested laypersons can find facenating answers to their questions concerning liturgical function and ritual. How does the wearing of vestments impact worship? Why do the participants do what they do and when? What is Lent? What's up with all the bowing and hand gestures? Liturgical worship can be an awesome and majestic expierence. This wonderful book will demystify this type of worship for liturgical church goers and those of more reformed traditions alike.The authors have produced a quality work that can be read by non-technical persons and thoroughly enjoyed.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine Compilation of Essays on The Liturgy, November 10, 2001

By 

David Bennett (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Study of Liturgy (Paperback)

The Liturgy has endured for around 2000 years as the primary means of worship for most Christians. We even have an early Eucharist Liturgy in the Didache, the 2nd century early Church manual. Due to the importance of the liturgy, every scholar and church leader needs to engage its development. This book will help in this task (at least for the scholar or priest/pastor. It's a bit academic to keep the interest of the average person in the pew).

This collection is grouped into three main sections: Theology and Rite, Development of the Liturgy, and Pastoral Orientation. Within the Development of Liturgy section there are seven sub-sections: General Intro, Initiation, Eucharist, Ordination, the Divine Office, the Calendar, and the Setting of the Liturgy. There are 65 essays total including, `A Theology of Worship,' `(Initiation in the) the Modern Period,' `The Anglican Eucharist,' `The History of the Christian Year,' and the ever-elusive `Methodism (and the Eucharist).' The essays cover a wide range of topics, interpretations, and time periods. Both Catholic and Protestant thought are represented nicely, in order to provide a truly useful survey. Also included are numerous glossy black-and-white photos of churches, liturgical manuscripts, and old church manuals.

I highly recommend this book for the liturgical scholar, the early or later Church historian, priests, pastors, and the interested layperson. The scholars are all top-notch, and the book is illuminating and will answer most questions about the Liturgy. The only drawback is that this book is priced rather high, since it is considered a textbook.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Liturgy: the study of Christian worship,doctrine and life, January 5, 2002

By 

Didaskalex "Eusebius Alexandrinus" (Kellia on Calvary, Carolina, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Study of Liturgy (Paperback)

Study Liturgy?
The late Dean of St. Paul's, was dining at a high table in Oxford and was asked by his neighbor, a distinguished liturgist, whether he was interested in liturgy.'No,' said the Dean, Neither do I collect postage stamps'; quoted from : Couratin ,Introduction to Liturgy, the Pelican Guide to Modern Theology, Vol. 2. But, even though he criticized Dr. Inge's estimate of liturgical study - a trivial branch of archaeology - his study was part of volume 2 : Historical Theology.

What is liturgy?
Liturgy is neither 'historical' nor a collection of prescribed forms for public worship as per webster's student dictionary. Liturgy is the work of the laity and ministry for their life in the spirit, a real participation in the mystical body of Christ. This is what the outstanding editors of this masterly book reflect in this revision: the last two decades of intense liturgical productivity, ecumenical openness among not only scholars but also ecclesiastical corpus.

Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi
When you browse through this book you will find out about Will Durant's "Mansions" of liturgy, after you read some chapters you will realize the "pleasures of Liturgy". Ecumenical character of this monumental work is maintained by a panel of 25 contributors who seem to believe in what they write, practicing scholars.

The Editors and contributers:
G. Wainwright (Doxology) was my guarantee to the first edition , P. Bradshaw (Daily prayer in the early Church) enhanced my decision to buy an additional revised edition.
Just read the last chapter "Pastoral orientation" to find out how D.Tripp ingeniously sammerizes the real impact of liturgy on the people of the Lord. You may as well start with E.Yarnold's:
"The liturgy of the Faithful",I challenge you to stop reading!
I would love to find K. Ware and G. Bebawi , both of Oxford U. within the future contributers of the next edition, since liturgy is only whole with eastern orthodox authenticity.

At last,the Book: The Study of Liturgy:
I learned from this book more than what I learned in fourty years about the liturgy of the One Holy Universal Apostolic Church. Brought up in the ancient Church of Alexandria as didaskalos (teaching deacon, a tradition of the Alexandrine Megalopolis that started with Origen), I hope you appreciate what liturgy and its study can do for your enlightment, spiritual revival may also be a fruit, but for sure ecumenical fellowship in the Corpus Christi, the ever living.
Look at the table of contents and make your decision, because when you read this book, it will invite you to a new life, an ancient tradition of the real Church that will never be old.
If you have only one book on liturgy it should be this work, but it will be the first love, others will follow , some of those mentioned in the preface.