Worship: A Primer in Christian Ritual

By Keith F. Pecklers

Book Overview

What is worship? Keith F. Pecklers, SJ, answers this important theological question by focusing on the basics of Christian worship. Beginning with the definitions of such terms as ritual" and *liturgy - he writes in a very readable style about the historical/theological foundations of worship, tracing the evolution of Christian liturgy from the earliest centuries of the Christian era up to the reforms of Vatican II.

Pecklers focuses on such liturgical issues of importance in our post-Vatican II Church as: inculturation, popular religion, and the social responsibility that authentic worship requires. He also considers some key social issues of the twenty-first century and their impact on our worship: the break-up of the stale parish community and decline in church attendance; the clergy shortage and priestless parishes; ecumenical liturgical cooperation and interreligious dialogue; the credibility of preaching; and how worship welcomes or excludes the marginated.

Chapters are *Worship and Ritual, - *Worship in Development and Decline, - *Worship in Crisis and Challenge, - *Worship in Transition, - *Worship and Culture, - *Worship and Popular Religion, - *Worship and Society, - and *Worship and the Future of Christianity. -

Keith F. Pecklers, SJ, SLD, is professor of liturgy at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and professor of liturgical history at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of Saint'Anselmo. Liturgical Press recently published his book Dynamic Equivalence. He received Catholic Press Association awards for two other Liturgical Press publications, The Unread Vision and Liturgy for the New Millennium.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814629857
• ISBN13: 9780814629857
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: Liturgical Press
• Length: 234 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Very Accessible Scholarahip

Kieth Pecklers achieves a very thorough compilation of the long history, adaptation and reform of Christian Worship from a Roman Catholic viewpoint yet with sensitive attention to many forms of this worship from the first century onward. In eight well crafted chapters he captures the intensity of the early church, the insight of the Patristic era, the accretions of the Medieval period and the conflicts of the great Reforms of the 16th Century. He also offers clear insight into the many attempts at reform and revival of involvement of all the faithful that occurred in the 18th, 19th and eventually emerged at Vatican Council II in the 20th Century. He maintains a brisk pace for the person interested in getting a quick foundation while including frequent references for the more scholarly reader. The bibliography at the end is quite thorough.

Worship: A Primer in Christian Ritual; Keith F. Pecklers, SJ

"For the Christian community, praying in common is a non-negotiable and those who do not pray in common with the rest of the body of Christ cannot rightly call themselves 'Christian'." Fr. Pecklers goes on to say that people might be honest generous, righteous, and inspired by the life of Jesus but if they never pray in common with other Christians they cannot rightfully claim the Christian identity. That is not a harsh exclusion. It is a simple fact because communal worship formed the cornerstone of the early Church (e.g. the last supper), was as a key factor during its history, and remains an integral part of Christian life today. The Greek word leitourgia, giving rise to the English "liturgy", once had a secular meaning - literally "work belonging to the people". It is used many times in the Greek version of Hebrew scripture (the Septuagint) and became associated with worship in the second century. The term came to signify service to both God and community giving clue to the relationship between Christ and his Church through the Christian community's charitable and ministerial roles within the context of worship.The formal study of liturgy - the symbols, rituals, forms and practices of worship as they fit into particular theological and cultural settings - is a relatively recent (20th century) phenomenon. Fr. Pecklers is a Rome based American Jesuit who has written extensively about the subject. He is widely traveled and his commentary is not limited to the Roman Catholic liturgy. For example he says when illustrating the necessary corporate nature of Christian worship, "When the Christian community gathers together each Sunday it brings with it all that has transpired the previous week, both good and bad, 'what we have done and what we have left undone', as Anglicans pray in Confession of Sins found within the Book of Common Prayer."The first four chapters present sound theological and historical foundations proceeding from the Apostolic period to fourth century events, like the Edict of Milan (313), and through the Medieval period that included the innovation of elevating the host and chalice high overhead during the Eucharistic prayer (ca. 1200) that we see frequently even today. The effects of Reformation period events, like the Council of Trent (1545 - 63) and Thomas Cranmer's Book of Common Prayer (1549), on liturgical practice are discussed in detail. The history of this "worship in transition" is then traced into the twentieth century illustrated by such events as the Second Vatican Council (1962-65).The remaining four chapters introduce thematic, sociological, and cultural material ultimately raising questions about the future of worship in response to our changing world. The interaction of Christian worship with diverse cultures is examined - now called "liturgical enculturation". We read a clear plea for flexibility within the context of theology. The relationship between corporate Christian worship and the popular religious practi