Ritual and Christian Worship

by Jeffrey A Truscott

Overview

What exactly is "ritual" and why is it inherently a part of Christian public worship? Could we worship without ritual? Does the Christian tradition offer us any perspectives on ritual? These are the questions explored in this book, whose purpose is to serve as a "user's guide" to ritual for leaders and planners of Christian worship. With the help of various perspectives—the life sciences, the Bible, and Reformation theologians—it seeks to explain ritual objectively, winsomely, and sympathetically. Written by a scholar with many years of experience in teaching liturgics, this book will help readers to appreciate ritual and become comfortable with themselves as participants in ritual.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781532686894
Publisher:	Cascade Books
Publication date:	01/05/2023
Pages:	170
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Jeffrey A. Truscott has taught liturgics and homiletics at seminaries in Asia for over twenty years. He is the author of three previous books on Christian worship: Twelve Whys of Worship, Worship: A Practical Guide, and Sacraments: A Practical Guide.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Truscott leads presiders, practitioners, and explorers of ritual through social and scientific theory, scriptural warrant, Reformed rationale, and codes to guide liturgical action in service to God, neighbor, and Christian assemblies, wherever and however they gather. Who knew that ethology (the study of animal behavior), 2 Kings, and Luther and Calvin could all work together for understanding and enacting ritual unity? His rigor makes the abstraction of Christian ritual more theologically real.”

—Gerald Liu, author of Music and the Generosity of God



“Truscott shows how ritual is an embodied part of human life that is studied by life sciences. The insights of brain science, musicology, cultural anthropology, and performance theory are applied to liturgical practice to deepen our awareness that what we are doing with our bodies in worship impacts our beliefs. . . . This is a must-read for pastors and laypeople in all Christian traditions as we come to terms with new insights about our human creatureliness.”

—Frank C. Senn, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary



“Worshipers seek a cohesive and meaningful worship experience. Jeffrey Truscott helps us appreciate the rituals we practice and why we do them. He writes about how rituals enhance and enliven our worship expressions as well as deepen our spiritual formation. For students, worship leaders, and pastors, this book is definitely worth your time!”

—Judith Laoyan-Mosomos, Methodist School of Music, Singapore

Editorial Reviews

Truscott leads presiders, practitioners, and explorers of ritual through social and scientific theory, scriptural warrant, Reformed rationale, and codes to guide liturgical action in service to God, neighbor, and Christian assemblies, wherever and however they gather. Who knew that ethology (the study of animal behavior), 2 Kings, and Luther and Calvin could all work together for understanding and enacting ritual unity? His rigor makes the abstraction of Christian ritual more theologically real.”

—Gerald Liu, author of Music and the Generosity of God



“Truscott shows how ritual is an embodied part of human life that is studied by life sciences. The insights of brain science, musicology, cultural anthropology, and performance theory are applied to liturgical practice to deepen our awareness that what we are doing with our bodies in worship impacts our beliefs. . . . This is a must-read for pastors and laypeople in all Christian traditions as we come to terms with new insights about our human creatureliness.”

—Frank C. Senn, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary



“Worshipers seek a cohesive and meaningful worship experience. Jeffrey Truscott helps us appreciate the rituals we practice and why we do them. He writes about how rituals enhance and enliven our worship expressions as well as deepen our spiritual formation. For students, worship leaders, and pastors, this book is definitely worth your time!”

—Judith Laoyan-Mosomos, Methodist School of Music, Singapore

From the Publisher