In Praise of Worship

by David J. Cohen (Editor), Michael Parsons (Editor), David Coffey (Foreword by)

Overview

Drawing together scholars from fields of biblical studies, systematic theology, liturgics, and pastoral theology, In Praise of Worship questions an overemphasis on singing and music (alone) as worship in today's church. Whilst not minimizing moments of conscious and deliberate worship, the authors show that according to a close reading of Scripture and a clear understanding of theology, the whole of our lives is to be considered as worship-glorifying to the Lord who deserves such honor. Contributors: Nancy Ault Alastair Campbell David J. Cohen David G. Firth Travis Fitch Michael W. Goheen Stephen Haar Brian S. Harris Chris Jack Angela McCarthy Alan Niven John W. Olley Michael O'Neil Robin Parry Michael Parsons Michael J. Quicke ""This is a work of immense importance. I recommend all who wish to have a deeper understanding of what is entailed in worship to read this book. The sixteen contributors follow the biblical understanding with scholarly competence and enthusiasm. Through a study of both text and practice the writers highlight the importance of allowing every sphere of our lives to be worship-oriented opportunities to serve God and to bring Him glory."" --Raymond Nobbs Emeritus Professor and Dean Sydney College of Divinity ""This book is an important contribution by an international group of scholars to pressing issues on the theme of Christian worship. The writers engage with both the text and practice of worship in biblical times, theological reflection on worship, and the practical implications for contemporary evangelical worship. As such, the book reaches out from scholarly interaction with sources to community experience today and will be a valuable tool for students and for all interested in the development of authentic contemporary Christian worship."" --Keith G Jones Rector, International Baptist Theological Seminary, Prague, Czech Republic. ""In Praise of Worship has a strong academic undergirding, but is written in an engaging way that will attract specialist and non-specialist alike. Furthermore, most chapters have clear practical implications. This book is particularly timely given the controversy that continues to swirl around the topic of worship. I expect to purchase a personal copy when it appears, and imagine that many academics and pastors will also wish to do so."" --Robert K. McIver Dean, Faculty of Theology Avondale College, Australia Michael Parsons is Director of Postgraduate Research and Lecturer in Christian Thought at Vose Seminary, Perth, Western Australia. He is the author of Luther and Calvin on Old Testament Narratives (2004), Reformation Marriage (2005), Calvin's Preaching on the Prophet Micah (2006), and Martin Luther's Interpretation of the Royal Psalms (2009). Parsons is also the editor of Text and Task: Scripture and Mission (2005). David Cohen is Head of Biblical Studies, Old Testament, at Vose Seminary, Perth, Western Australia. He has written about the relevance of lament psalms for worship and pastoral care in Text and Task: Scripture and Mission (2005). Parsons and Cohen, together, previously edited On Eagles' Wings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608991457
Publisher:	Pickwick Publications
Publication date:	05/26/2010
Pages:	314
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Michael Parsons is Director of Postgraduate Research and Lecturer in Christian Thought at Vose Seminary, Perth, Western Australia. He is the author of Luther and Calvin on Old Testament Narratives (2004), Reformation Marriage (2005), Calvin's Preaching on the Prophet Micah (2006), and Martin Luther's Interpretation of the Royal Psalms (2009). Parsons is also the editor of Text and Task: Scripture and Mission (2005).

David Cohen is Head of Biblical Studies, Old Testament, at Vose Seminary, Perth, Western Australia. He has written about the relevance of lament psalms for worship and pastoral care in Text and Task: Scripture and Mission (2005). Parsons and Cohen, together, previously edited On Eagles' Wings.

Table of Contents

Foreword David Coffey ix

Preface xi

List of Contributors xiii

List of Abbreviations xv

Part 1 Worship and Text

1 Worship as Community Creation: Deuteronomy's Vision of Worship David G. Firth 3

2 Journey to the Center of the Heart: Psalm 19 as Transformance David J. Cohen 17

3 Nourishing Our Missional Identity: Worship and the Mission of God's People Michael W. Goheen 32

4 Worship and the Presence of God: Seeing with Ezekiel John W. Olley 54

5 Worship in the New Testament Alastair Campbell 70

6 The Proskuneo Myth: When a Kiss Is Not a Kiss Chris Jack 84

7 On the Mountain: Worship as Community Experience in Matthew Stephen Haar 98

8 Time and Location: Aspects of Realized Eschatology, Paul, and Our Worship Michael Parsons 120

Part 2 Worship and Practice

9 The Trinity and Lament Robin Parry 143

10 Art for God or to God through Art? Angela McCarthy 162

11 Worship as Information, Formation, and Transformation Nancy Ault 176

12 Pastoral Rituals and Life-cycle Themes in Family and Individual Worship Alan Niven 193

13 Rhythm and Worship: In Search of Pachelbel Travis Fitch 211

14 In Praise of Worship: The Trinitarian Nature of Christian Devotion Michael O'Neil! 232

15 Worship and the Quest for Justice Brian S. Harris 250

16 The Preacher as Worshipper Michael J. Quicke 262

Bibliography 279

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This is a work of immense importance. I recommend all who wish to have a deeper understanding of what is entailed in worship to read this book. The sixteen contributors follow the biblical understanding with scholarly competence and enthusiasm. Through a study of both text and practice the writers highlight the importance of allowing every sphere of our lives to be worship-oriented opportunities to serve God and to bring Him glory."
—Raymond Nobbs
Emeritus Professor and Dean
Sydney College of Divinity

"This book is an important contribution by an international group of scholars to pressing issues on the theme of Christian worship. The writers engage with both the text and practice of worship in biblical times, theological reflection on worship, and the practical implications for contemporary evangelical worship. As such, the book reaches out from scholarly interaction with sources to community experience today and will be a valuable tool for students and for all interested in the development of authentic contemporary Christian worship."
—Keith G Jones
Rector, International Baptist Theological Seminary,
Prague, Czech Republic.

"In Praise of Worship has a strong academic undergirding, but is written in an engaging way that will attract specialist and non-specialist alike. Furthermore, most chapters have clear practical implications. This book is particularly timely given the controversy that continues to swirl around the topic of worship. I expect to purchase a personal copy when it appears, and imagine that many academics and pastors will also wish to do so."
—Robert K. McIver
Dean, Faculty of Theology
Avondale College, Australia

Editorial Reviews

"This is a work of immense importance. I recommend all who wish to have a deeper understanding of what is entailed in worship to read this book. The sixteen contributors follow the biblical understanding with scholarly competence and enthusiasm. Through a study of both text and practice the writers highlight the importance of allowing every sphere of our lives to be worship-oriented opportunities to serve God and to bring Him glory."
—Raymond Nobbs
Emeritus Professor and Dean
Sydney College of Divinity

"This book is an important contribution by an international group of scholars to pressing issues on the theme of Christian worship. The writers engage with both the text and practice of worship in biblical times, theological reflection on worship, and the practical implications for contemporary evangelical worship. As such, the book reaches out from scholarly interaction with sources to community experience today and will be a valuable tool for students and for all interested in the development of authentic contemporary Christian worship."
—Keith G Jones
Rector, International Baptist Theological Seminary,
Prague, Czech Republic.

"In Praise of Worship has a strong academic undergirding, but is written in an engaging way that will attract specialist and non-specialist alike. Furthermore, most chapters have clear practical implications. This book is particularly timely given the controversy that continues to swirl around the topic of worship. I expect to purchase a personal copy when it appears, and imagine that many academics and pastors will also wish to do so."
—Robert K. McIver
Dean, Faculty of Theology
Avondale College, Australia

From the Publisher