Worship That Changes Lives: Multidisciplinary and Congregational Perspectives on Spiritual Transformation (Engaging Worship) [Paperback]

Alexis D. Abernethy (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Engaging Worship | Publication Date: December 1, 2008

Recent years have seen widespread changes in worship, and numerous studies have considered the importance of those changes for the church. This volume offers a balanced and wide-ranging approach that focuses particularly on the relationship between worship and spiritual transformation. The authors offer multifaceted perspectives on the importance of developing worship that encourages spiritual transformation in the community of faith.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Reflecting on Spiritual Transformation and WorshipIn the context of secularization, postmodernity, and new approaches to understanding the world and reality, many churches have begun to consider alternative ways of expressing and enacting the mystery and wonder of worship. Worship That Changes Lives provides thoughtful reflections on these developments.The contributors bring a wide range of cultural, theological, and psychological perspectives to the subject, focusing particularly on the often-overlooked relationship between worship and spiritual transformation. The first section of the book considers historical and theological perspectives on worship and spiritual growth, while the second examines the role of the arts in facilitating that development. The chapters of the final section consider, from several perspectives, the results of studies of spiritual experience in worship (crossing both cultural and denominational boundaries).This volume makes a unique contribution, at once practical and academic, to the contemporary discussion. The authors offer multifaceted perspectives on the importance of developing worship that encourages spiritual transformation in the community of faith.ContributorsAlexis D. AbernethyRyan K. BolgerTyson ChungAlvin DueckWilliam DyrnessTodd FarleyJo-Ann HoyeRobert JohnstonRoberta R. KingAsha RaginCharsie SawyerClayton J. SchmitCharlotte vanOyen WitvlietJohn D. WitvlietKenneth C. Ulmer

About the Author

Alexis D. Abernethy (PhD, University of California, Berkeley) is professor of psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary and a psychotherapist in private practice. She formerly served as a professor at the University of Rochester (NY) Medical Center. Much of her research has focused on spirituality and mental health.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080103194X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801031946
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #782,502 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Transformation in Worship ultimately is the work of the Holy Spirit, March 1, 2011

By 

Steven J. Simpson (Amityville, PA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Worship That Changes Lives: Multidisciplinary and Congregational Perspectives on Spiritual Transformation (Engaging Worship) (Paperback)

A colaboration between Fuller Theological Seminary and the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship eEdited by Alexis D. Abernathy, this book begins with two essays discussing the theology of worship. In the first, Clayton Schmit presents a study of Romans 12 which demonstrates that "worship involves yielding to God as well as a commitment to transformation and renewal" (18). In the second essay, John Witvliet addresses the cumulative power worship has to transform people's lives. Both writers emphasize the agency of the Holy Spirit in changing people as they worship God.

After a second section containing six different essays discussing the role of various arts in transformational worship, a third and final section of the book presents seven more essays, each analyzing from a slightly different perspective, just how people are in fact transformed by worship. In one chapter, for example, Charlotte vanOyen Witvliet explores the psychophysiological dimensions of worship. While transformational worship can be studied, throughout the book there is a strong thread of thought that maintains that transformation ultimately is the work of the Holy Spirit and as such is unpredictable and not subject to our control.