Liturgical Theology: The Church as Worshiping Community

by Simon Chan

Publisher:

IVP Academic

, 2006

Overview

Bad worship produces bad theology, and bad theology produces an unhealthy church.

In Liturgical Theology, Simon Chan issues a call to evangelicals to develop a mature theology of the church--an ecclesiology that is grounded in the church's identity as a worshiping community. Evangelicals, he argues, are confused about the meaning and purpose of the church in part because they have an inadequate understanding of Christian worship. As a remedy for this ailment, Chan presents a coherent theology of the church that pays particular attention to the liturgical practices that have constituted Christian worship throughout the centuries. With a seasoned eye and steady hand, he guides the reader through these practices and unpacks their significance for theology, spirituality and the renewal of evangelicalism in the postmodern era.

Chan's proposal advances the conversation among evangelicals regarding the relationship between theology and worship. In contrast to some theologians who have tended to emphasize a sociological analysis, Chan argues that we need to consider what is essential to the church's theological identity. Drawing on the larger Christian tradition, Chan argues that we discover that identity primarily in the structure and significance of Christian worship.

Key Features

• Argues for improved ecclesial practice grounded in liturgical worship
• Emphasizes the relationship between worship, theology, and the health of the church
• Presents a coherent theology of the church

Contents

• Part One: Foundations
  • The Ontology of the Church
  • The Worship of the Church
  • The Shape of the Liturgy
  • The Liturgy as Ecclesial Practice
• Part Two: Practices
  • The Catechumenate
  • The Sunday Liturgy
  • Active Participation

Top Highlights

“But if the church is a divine-humanity, chosen in Christ before the creation of the world,²⁰ then its raison d’être is not derived from the world; instead, the world must derive its raison d’être from the church, by dying to itself and being reborn into the polity of the church. This is the significance of Christian baptism, of which I shall have more to say later.” (Page 26)

“There is therefore no separation between the liturgy and the church. To be church is to be the worshiping community making a normative response to the revelation of the triune God.” (Page 42)

“If the church is essentially instrumental, then its basic identity can be expressed in terms of its functions: what it must do to fulfill God’s larger purpose. But if the church is God’s end in creation, then its basic identity can be expressed only in ontological rather than functional terms.” (Page 21)

“To see the preaching of the gospel in the world as a liturgical act means that it is first and foremost a service rendered to God. Failure to understand the proclamation of the gospel from this perspective is one reason that evangelism is conceived of as largely a human-centered activity.” (Page 44)

“A better way to conceptualize the Bible’s narrative coherence is to see creation as forming the backdrop for God’s elective grace and covenant relationship rather than vice versa. God created the world in order that he might enter into a covenant relationship with humankind.” (Page 22)

Praise for the Print Edition

Simon Chan offers here a timely word to the evangelical church. Things 'liturgical,' once shunned by some, are now being embraced by a generation of believers who have renewed interest in ancient practices and ritual arts. This book provides a solid theological framework for the working-out of best practices as the evangelical world renews its worship.

—Clay Schmit, Arthur DeKruyter/Christ Church Oak Brook Associate Professor of Preaching and Academic Director for the Brehm Center for Worship, Theology and the Arts, Fuller Theological Seminary

Convinced that the practices of the liturgy shape and form faith and life, Chan has written an utterly compelling book that calls the evangelical tradition to a new commitment to worship. It is just the wake-up call that evangelicals need to hear.

—Leanne Van Dyk, academic dean and professor of Reformed theology, Western Theological Seminary

In this day of confusion about the meaning and purpose of worship, Simon Chan returns worship to its place of belonging in the church. His calling to return to the catechumenate, to the ordo of Sunday worship and the reinvigoration of the historic liturgy is especially timely given the postmodern moment in which we live.

—Robert Webber, Myers Professor of Ministry, Northern Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Liturgical Theology: The Church as Worshiping Community
• Author: Simon Chan
• Publisher: IVP
• Publication Date: 2006
• Pages: 208
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Topic: Theology

About Simon Chan

Dr Simon Chan is a Christian theologian, who is the Earnest Lau Professor of Systematic Theology and Dean of Studies (Ag) at Trinity Theological College, Singapore. He is the author of: Man & Sin, Pentecostal Theology & Christian Spiritual Tradition, Liturgical Theology and Spiritual Theology. He edits the Trinity Theological Journal. His denomination is Assemblies of God.