This book is meant to explore those primary realities of man's relation to God which are expressed by his devotional actions. It presents an enduring study on the nature and principles of worship and the foremost forms in which they are articulated in Christianity. The Author contends that though it may be possible that there is diversity in the expressive worship of each of the member of a Christian family, but they all are directed towards the single revelation of the Divine.
Inter-alia, this solemn presentation is divided into two parts. The First part encircles the fundamental characteristics of Christian worship. The methodology in which ritual, symbol, sacrament and sacrifice become part of worship is also examined. The Second part presents descriptive and historical studies that are intended to illustrate the principles of worship, as embodied in the chief type of cults.
It provides a thoughtful introduction on the subject of Christian worship and its interrelation with specific rituals and ceremonies. Also, a separate 'Index of Subjects' amplify the value of this handy presentation. This book is a must buy for Christian Laity, Church Clergies, Researchers, and all those Church ministers who want to enrich their understanding on the subject for further impartation.
Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941) was one of the most widely read English Anglo-Catholic writer in the first half of the 20th century. In 1913, she became an honorary fellow of King's College of Women and in 1927 fellow of King's College; in 1939 she received the honorary degree of D.D. from the University of Aberdeen.
She was the author of well renowned books like: Mysticism (1911), Ruysbroek (1914), The Mysticism of Plotinus (1919), Worship (1936). While working on Worship, written for the Library of Constructive Theology, she became deeply interested in the Greek Orthodox Church and joined the fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius. Besides writing books, she also wrote reviews and special articles for the 'Spectator' (of which she was for some years the theological editor), and later for 'Time and Tide'.
THIS study of the nature and principles of Worship, and the chief forms in which they find expression in Christianity, is not the work of a liturgical expert, and is not intended as a handbook to that difficult science. My object has been rather to explore those primary realities of man's relation to God which our devotional action is intended to express. Worship is here considered in its deepest sense, as the response of man to the Eternal: and when we look at the many degrees and forms of this response, and the graded character of human religion, its slow ascent from primitive levels and tendency to carry with it the relics of its past, we need not be surprised that even within the Christian family there is much diversity in the expressive worship which is yet directed towards a single revelation of the Divine.
The first part of this book studies the fundamental characteristics of Christian worship. First its objective, theocentric yet incarnational temper, and the way and degree in which ritual, symbol, sacrament and sacrifice must and do enter into it; and next, the many strands which are gathered up and expressed in its Eucharistic action, and the need and complementary function within the Divine Society of its corporate and personal aspects. The descriptive and historical studies in Part II are merely intended to illustrate these principles, as embodied in the chief types of cultus; and show from various angles the response of man to God. as it comes to flower within Christianity.
THE Editors of this series are convinced that the THE Christian Church as a whole is confronted with a great though largely silent crisis, and also with an un- paralleled opportunity. They have a common mind concerning the way in which this crisis and opportunity should be met. The time has gone by when" apologetics" could be of any great value. Something more is needed than a defence of propositions already accepted on authority, for the present spiritual crisis is essentially a questioning of authority if not a revolt against it. It may be predicted that the number of people who are content simply to rest their religion on the authority of the Bible or the Church is steadily diminishing, and with the growing effectiveness of popular education will con- tinue to diminish. We shall not therefore meet the need, if we have rightly diagnosed it, by dissertations, however learned, on the interpretation of the Bible or the history of Christian doctrine. Nothing less is required than a candid, courageous and well-informed effort to think out anew, in the light of modern knowledge, the foundation affirmations of our common Christianity. This is the aim of every writer in this series.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
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