Holy Things: A Liturgical Theology (Paperback)

by Gordon W. Lathrop (Author)
Key Phrases: ordination rites, biblical example, liturgical criticism, Jesus Christ, New York, New Testament (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
New in paperback! Cyril of Jerusalem wrote about "holy things." He thereby reflected the communion invitation used in his fourth-century liturgy to call people to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Mystagogical Catecheses). The present times call for strong and healthy symbols that hold people into hope. The Christian communities need a reintroduction into the ways in which liturgical symbols respond to human need. Indeed, Lathrop argues, Christian communities continually need to reconsider the meaning of their liturgies and reform those liturgies toward authentic clarity. In its three parts, this book (1) proposes that an ecumenical pattern or ordo of worship can be discerned which is also a pattern of meaning, (2) discusses the ways in which meaning occurs in the meeting for worship itself, and (3) draws practical conclusions about the organization of that meeting and its importance to current human need. Throughout, Lathrop undertakes to do theology, that is, to say what the liturgy actually says about God.

Product Details

• Paperback: 252 pages
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800631315
• ISBN-13: 978-0800631314
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #453,390 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, November 9, 2001

By	"bpf100" (Brighton, MA United States) - See all my reviews

Lathrop takes up Alexandre Schmemann's concept of
the _ordo_ and runs with it...a very helpful ecumenical
approach to liturgical theology. Lathrop organizes his
thought around clear, penetrating images and experiences
of the liturgy. His _Holy People: A Liturgical Ecclesiology_
is also a good find.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ranges from superb to puzzling, July 27, 2001

By	Elizabeth G. Melillo "gloriana" - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The early chapters of this work are both engrossing and likely to spur reflection. The excellent descriptions of various areas of liturgical theology not only provide the reader with significant background but include "eye catching" points which make well-known liturgical formulae suddenly have at least three new, powerful meanings. For example, Lathrop's explanations of how Jesus used metaphor in His parables, and of how this gives varied meanings to the "holy things" of worship, are exceptional.

The later sections of the book, for example those dealing with the "meal" aspects of worship, did not have the clarity and beauty which the beginning seemed to promise. Lathrop proposes questions without offering possible answers, and those (who are not of Lathrop's degree of knowledge in the subject) who seek to use this book to improve worship in their congregations may well be left with feeling they are back where they started.

Lathrop's book is wortwhile and interesting, but rather limited in its application.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a modern-day classic, December 11, 2008

By	David L. Russell - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I first read this book shortly after it was publihsed. Initially, I wasn't overly impressed. But I have it now read five or six times, and I am continually amazed by how this book has shaped my thinking and understanding of the liturgy. Maybe I'm a bit slow, but, rather, I think Lathrop's book is so rich that it merits numerous readings. It is not a "how to" book, but, probably more importantly, it gets you to think a lot about what we do when we gather around word and table. Being able to think profoundly about what we are doing is probably ultimately more powerful than blindly and fadishly following another person's how-to list.