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Title: Manual on the Liturgy: Lutheran Book of Worship by Philip H. Pfatteicher, Carlos R. Messerli ISBN: 0-8066-1676-8 Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers Pub. Date: January, 1979 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $30.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.33 (3 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Consider what the book is FOR...
Comment: I feel compelled to write this review as a counter voice to the two pervious reviews of the text. The previous reviewers are both honest about the content of the book, but they seem to be confused about the purpose of the book. It seems that the previous reviewers were looking for a book that would give lay people a general overview of the history and context of the Lutheran liturgy. The Manual on the Liturgy is not intended to be that text however, the Manual on the Liturgy was written for a very specific purpose, with a very narrow readership in mind. The Manuel on the liturgy is intended to be an instructional, companion volume to the Lutheran Book of Worship and it's associated missal. The text is intended to teach Lutheran clergy the proper manner in which to conduct the various services found in the Lutheran Book of Worship. It does that task with aplomb.
One reviewer implies that the Lutheran liturgy is generally performed poorly (I agree) after stating that a good portion of the Lutheran clergy are not familiar with this text (I again agree - sadly). I cannot be the only one who appreciates the irony of this.
I personally love this text. But then again, I am Lutheran Seminary student and big fan of worship. If you are not a Lutheran seminary student, or you never were one, you probably have no reason to own or even open this book. IF you HAVE ever been a Lutheran seminary student - you have no excuse for not both owning and reading this text - and not just to satisfy your parish worship professor either - to serve your congregations by faithfully, and beautifully administering the sacraments in a manner befitting them. Take your office seriously.
Rating: 3
Summary: Dry and a bit arcane, but also very informative.
Comment: Mention this book in clerical circles, and half will not know of what your are speaking. Of those who do, you will usually get the response "Oh yes, I remember that book. It was quite controversial." Yet reading it, it is difficult to understand why such a dry tome as this could be controversial. Only deeper thought and reflection will reveal the answer.
The book itself is simply a study of the development and practice of the liturgy of the modern American Lutheran church. I honestly do not know if it is a source particular to the ELCA, or if it crosses the synod lines to LCMS, or even ELS and WELS. Be all that as it may, the material is covered thoroughly and comprehensively. It is well thought-out, if not always well written. On the whole, a competently crafted book that does what it is intended to do reasonably well. (Yes, if you are not interested in liturgy, it would be dry; but then if you are not interested in liturgy, why would you be reading it?)
Now, the controversy. It seems that the liturgy reflected in the work is that of the so called "high Lutheran" service. Scholars will tell you that there is no such thing. However, there are some often noticed differences between those congregations that have primarily Scandinavian roots and those with primarily German roots. This book reflects the latter. That is the controversy. Trivial? Yes, admittedly so, but there it is.
In reality, much of what is described in the instructional section would be foreign to many Lutherans as the "high" service is not as common as the, well "low" or "broad" (to borrow Anglican terms) versions. Even as a lay minister, most of what this book contains is unusable by me. Still it is interesting to read, simply for a deeper understanding of how Lutherans have thought about and created the liturgy down through the years.
Rating: 2
Summary: If you like liturgy
Comment: If you like liturgy, you will love this book. The author is deeply into liturgy and all its trappings. He goes into much depth on the history and theology of liturgy that is sometimes used in the Lutheran church.
If liturgy makes you a little nervous, this book will scare you. The author goes a bit far in how he recommends things be done. Unfortunately, it seems that we sometimes we worship how we worship instead of God. Of course, this applies to all styles of liturgy.
The upshot of all this is that your view of this book depends a great deal on who you are.
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Title: What Are the Essentials of Christian Worship (Open Questions in Worship) by G. Lathrop ISBN: 0806627972 Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers Pub. Date: June, 1996 List Price(USD): $7.95 |
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Title: Commentary on the Lutheran Book of Worship: Lutheran Liturgy in Its Ecumenical Context by Philip H. Pfatteicher ISBN: 0800603923 Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers Pub. Date: April, 1990 List Price(USD): $45.00 |
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