Holy Things: A Liturgical Theology

by Gordon W. Lathrop

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800631315
• ISBN13: 9780800631314
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishing
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

a modern-day classic

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.

Excellent

Lathrop takes up Alexandre Schmemann's concept ofthe _ordo_ and runs with it...a very helpful ecumenicalapproach to liturgical theology. Lathrop organizes histhought around clear, penetrating images and experiencesof the liturgy. His _Holy People: A Liturgical Ecclesiology_is also a good find.