The Church in Act: Lutheran Liturgical Theology in Ecumenical Conversation

by Maxwell E. Johnson

The Church in Act explores the dynamics of ecclesial and liturgical theology, examining the body of Christ in action. Maxwell E. Johnson, one of the premier liturgical specialists in the field, provides in this volume historical and doctrinal thinking on a diversity of liturgical subjects under the umbrella of Lutheran liturgical theology and in ecumenical conversation. The topics under consideration range from baptismal spirituality to Eucharistic concerns, including real presence, pneumatology, and reservation; discussions on what constitutes liturgical normativity, the diverse hermeneutical approaches to the Revised Common Lectionary, and the place of Mary in ecumenical dialogue and culture (especially Latino-Hispanic); issues of full communion based on a liturgical reading of the Augsburg Confession VII; and specific questions related to liturgy and ecumenism today in light of recent translation changes in Roman Catholic practice. Together, the volume offers a robust account of the liturgical, sacramental, and spiritual practices of the church

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2015

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of essays that, in sum, argue for the use of a "traditional" Lutheran liturgy as the means by which to form Christians today. Offers a compelling case for the value of the liturgy but is bogged down by copious use of block quotes.

[Kendall Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more a collection of essays from a similar perspective and with similar concerns than it is a single thesis-driven monograph. With that in mind, the essays in this book were definitely a mixed bag for me. I thought several essays were quite good, or at least had good things to say, even if I didn't completely agree with Johnson (1,2,3,5,9). Other essays were strangely driven by Johnson's particular approach to ecumenism to the exclusion of what I would think would be legitimate theological objections; this was especially apparent in Johnson's essays on the Virgin Mary (7,8).

I appreciate Johnson's emphasis that what we believe is ultimately embodied in our liturgical actions in particular communities. However, I don't think that somehow getting everybody to use the same rites, the same lectionary readings, or the same wordings of creeds, canticles, etc. is somehow a major step in overcoming the historic and contemporary divisions between various Christian traditions. As central as our liturgical life is, the divisions between traditions are not merely instances of using different rites and grouchy people refusing to play nice.

Johnson's emphasis on adhering to the approved rites and such of one's church body is also a welcome emphasis in light of what he calls continual innovation for the purpose of seeker sensitivity. However, I do wonder at what point we must recognize that the lectionary and the rites in our hymnals are gifts and tools that are meant to serve us in our congregational life. Our congregations do not exist to serve the lectionary and the exact rites in our hymnals.

With much of what Johnson says I appreciated parts of what he says, but also had other similar questions and concerns. I tend to come at these issues from a slightly different perspective than him, so that's to be expected.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is answering questions that I've had since 2008 when I started attending a ELCIC church. I think Johnson doesn't go deep enough into the issue, so I find his chapters to be too quick and at times dismissive. He tries to pack so much into a paragraph that his sentences are both very wide-reaching and narrow in their scope. The footnotes are handy. I wonder what a non-Lutheran would think of this.

His 9th chapter was an eye-opener about the Augsburg Confession article 7. I think more Lutherans should read that chapter in particular because it would jostle a few comfortable pews, but it would jostle a few ecumenists too. It's a very different way of thinking of things ecumenism.