Patterns of Christian Worship (BTh)

Patterns of Christian Worship (BTh)

Group

D (Half paper)

Level

Second Examination

Pre-requisites

Teaching will assume familiarity with introductory doctrine and scripture studies

Aims

1. To introduce theological concepts shaping and shaped by Christian worship. To relate the study of worship to the study of doctrine and history, helping students to understand how worship has evolved in a variety of historical contexts and enabling them to relate this to developments in contemporary Eucharistic and non-Eucharistic worship, drawing on a variety of traditions, especially those represented within the Cambridge Theological Federation.
2. To introduce features of contemporary culture and pastoral concerns which affect the ways in which Christians worship. To introduce the phenomenology of word and story, symbol and ritual and explore the potential of this understanding for planning and interpreting worship. In this second part of the module, the focus moves to initiation liturgy, services of the word and pastoral offices.

Objectives

On successful completion of this Paper students will be able to:

1. Give an account of Biblical and doctrinal foundations of Trinitarian worship
2. Appreciate the historical development of Eucharistic and baptismal worship and apply this historical insight critically to revisions and developments in contemporary worship.
3. Apply insights relating to the phenomenology of word, symbol and ritual in worship to interpretation and planning of worship including Apt Liturgy.
4. Begin to relate pastoral concerns to the effective interpretation and use of the pastoral offices.

Delivery Method

16 hours of lectures/seminars.

Assessment Method

2-hour examination

Assessment Schedule

BTh Easter Term Examination

Outline Content

• Introduction to Biblical and theological themes and methodology
• Historical development and contemporary issues in Eucharistic and baptismal worship
• Historical place of the word in worship (preaching, use of scripture) and contemporary issues of formation, ecumenism and mission
• Liturgical phenomenology of word and story, symbol and ritual
• Apt Liturgy
• Worship and the formation of Christians in Community

Core Bibliography

• Best, T. and D. Heller, eds Worship Today: Understanding, Practice and Ecumenical Implications (WCC 2004)
• Bradshaw, P. The Search for the Origins of Christian Worship (SPCK,1992)
• Bradshaw, P. and J. Melloh Foundations in Ritual Studies (SPCK 2007)
• Brueggemann, W. Israel's Praise (Fortress Press, 1989)
• Cocksworth, C. Holy, Holy, Holy: Worshipping the Trinitarian God (DLT, 1997)
• Kreider, Eleanor Enter his Gates (Marshall Pickering 1989)
• Jasper, R.C.D and C.J. Cumming Prayers of the Eucharist: Early and Reformed Liturgical Press, 1990 and later editions)
• Senn, F.C. Christian Liturgy: Catholic and Evangelical (Fortress Press, 1997)
• White, J. Documents of Christian Worship (T&T Clark, 1992)
• Willimon, W. Worship as Pastoral Care (Abingdon, 1979 and later editions)