Khalia J. Williams - Theological Foundations of Worship: Biblical, Systematic, and Practical Perspectives

To have such a comprehensive resource on different theologies of worship from such a range of authors is like a dream come true. Until now it has been hard to find such a compendium. Like the slow turning of a large diamond, this book displays the many facets of the wonder of Christian worship.

Lester Ruth , Duke Divinity School

Who is the God worshiped by ordinary churchgoers, and how is that God related to the Holy Mystery studied by biblical scholars and theologians? This book attempts to bridge the gap between these two worlds, inviting worshipers to reflect more deeply on familiar acts such as prayer, singing, sacraments, and proclamation, and to consider how their embodied acts cohere with what we say we believe. Worship leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds will benefit from this solid body of work by both senior and emerging scholars in the fields of biblical studies and systematic, historical, missional, and liturgical theologies.

Martha Moore-Keish , Columbia Theological Seminary

Christians tend to experience worship more than think about it. This provocative phrase introduces readers into a thoughtful exploration of how fundamental Christian doctrines sustain, shape, and are expressed in liturgical practices and vice versa. Written by leading scholars and practitioners, clearly organized, profound but accessible, and ecumenically sensitive, Theological Foundations of Worship is an essential guide for those seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the multifaceted connections between what we believe and what we do in corporate worship.

Mara Eugenia Cornou , Calvin Institute of Christian Worship

In a pain-full world, worshipers crave the immediacy of a direct experience of God in worshipto feel whole. The desire to feel something instantly each time we gather, however, often takes priority over the need to reflect intentionally on the meaning of worship. The diverse perspectives in this volumes depths offer an opportunity to reconnect feeling and reflecting with doing. Place this book beside your prayer book, your devotional guide, your hymn book, your favorite sacred video clips, or your spiritual playlist of songs, and let them talk with each other. You will feel more deeply and worship more fully.

C. Michael Hawn , Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University (emeritus)