Liturgical Worship: A Lutheran Introduction

by Jordan Cooper

Liturgical worship is often viewed as nothing more than an outdated tradition, or a series of meaningless words and motions. The reality, however, is much different. The form of worship that is often described as liturgical, or traditional, has strong roots in both Scripture and Christian history. In this book, Rev. Cooper explains the Biblical and theological foundations of liturgical worship. This is then followed by chapters on various aspects of the worship service. The meaning of each element is illuminated alongside of the rich Scriptural teaching within these aspects of Christian worship. At the end of the work, a glossary is included which serves as a guide for those who are unfamiliar with liturgical terminology.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian

136 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2018

Reviews

[Barbara Ruuska · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very concise summary of Lutheran liturgical worship. I wish that I would have read something like this during my third year of confirmation classes--in the 9th grade. After spending two years studying the Bible, we jumped right into to Lutheran theology. This book would have given me a better understanding of what I love about Lutheran church services and the importance, history and theology that explains each of the segments of the service.

I liked the detailed explanations and differences between Lutheran liturgical worship and other forms of Christianity. I have a much better understanding of transubstantiation and the Lutheran forms of Eucharistic adoration.

My questions to Jordan Cooper and others is, where does one look when the pastor is reading the words of institution? My mother looks down. She does not look at the host or wine as they are blessed in the Eucharist. Where does a parishioner look during the benediction? Again, some people look down and others look to the pastor and the blessing as something they look forward to each week.

I was not taught to make the sign of the cross. I see some Lutherans make the sign of the cross during the service, but most of us don't. Is there a typical Lutheran way to make the sign of the cross or can we imitate our Catholic friends?

[Raymond Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit sparse for a serious theologian except perhaps as an outline for teaching, but I think it is about right as an introduction for the laity. It will offer them a solid and easy to understand launch pad if a layman wants to learn more. It primarily focuses on the Lutheran liturgy, but is applicable to both Roman Catholics and Anglicans in most cases. Until Dr. Grime publishes his book we will be sufficiently served by this volume.
Recommended.

[amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 ⭐️
Very good primer for the historical & biblical reasoning behind a traditional service. The flow of the book even followed that mostly after the initial call to why a Liturgical service is Biblical, then Cooper moved through the sections of a service ending with a good few chapters on Eucharist, prayer, & the benediction Appreciated the distinction made between Reformed, Lutheran, & Roman Catholic worship services.

[Benjamin Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to understanding Lutheran worship.

[Manuel Marbun · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former Reformed, this book is very helpful for me to understand the biblical Christian worship.

[Jonathon Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and concise introduction to liturgical worship within the confessional Lutheran tradition. The bibliography also references a wealth of resources for further study.

[Josh Traylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this book not only to people who are interested in an introduction to Lutheranism, but to those who fail to understand High Church culture in general. Cooper demonstrates for us that not only is highly Liturgical Worship historical, but it is deeply grounded in what we see in worship throughout the continuity of the Old Testament and New Testament.

If anyone was to say to me, as many have said before, that High Liturgical churches are just about "going through the motions and not having any heart," then I would simply just reiterate the arguments from this book and recommend it to that person. Though that line of argumentation come off as silly, it just goes to show that a book like this needs to be read not just by Lutherans, but by American Evangelicals as well. Not even necessarily to convert them, but merely just to bring understanding in the midst of what is often sheer, unmitigated ignorance about High Church culture. Everything in the Divine Liturgy has deep theological meaning. If you don't get it, then you need to take off your sandals and seek understanding with wonder, rather than starting from a posture of criticism. Once you understand, then you are free to decide if you should be attending High Liturgical church or not.

[Julie Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear concise book explaining the elements of the liturgy, what they mean, why they’re there and have been historically through the church age and in some cases through Jewish history. There was also an explanation of church theological points in relation to liturgy which was really helpful. For example, reformed tradition puts more emphasis on preaching than sacrament, seeker sensitive have no structure as it’s catering to unbelieving visitors etc. all in all it was a great little book.

[ryj · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Seeker-driven worship is directly opposed to Lutheran theology and practice. The first and most obvious reason this is the case is that in a Lutheran view, there are no seekers. Man does not search for God, but God searches for man.”

[Nick Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great high level introduction to the structure and understandings of liturgical worship. Appreciated the brief comparisons with other traditions, as well as the emphasis on the union heaven and earth in the worship of the church.

[Jared Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction to liturgical worship from a confessional Lutheran perspective.

[Jordan Mills]

Simple, yet concise and filled with biblical and historical information about the subject.

[Alexlancaster1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, accessible summary of the basics of liturgical worship.

[Riley Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for the Lutheran tradition. I am Roman Catholic, and enjoyed comparing our similarities and differences. Well written and informative.

[Tessa]

Helpful information.

[Clairette · Rating 5 out of 5]

To quote from the end of the book: "when the church once again discovers the riches of historic, biblical, liturgical worship, the church will be reinvigorated in its mission. Strong worship also leads to strong theology."

This is a great overview of the WHY of Lutheran liturgical worship. It strikes a balance between enough information to not be superficial, yet not so much that it is tiresome.

[Ben Mizrahi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A neat little introduction to the most common Lutheran theology. Of course, not all elements of the liturgy described in Cooper's book will be found in all Lutheran church (I have seen only one church procession during my entire Lutheran life, at a Lutheran mass at the cathedral of Liepaja (Libau) in Latvia), but it is still a good and informative books for those who want to know why we do the things we do at the church. Those are not simply Catholic leftovers (though there would have been nothing wrong with them even if they had been merely that), but a rich and beautiful way to point of the congregants to Jesus and the Gospel, focusing our hearts and minds on both God's holy Word and his holy Sacrament.

[Travis West · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great breakdown of why the Lutheran Church participates in liturgy. Would reccomend anyone looking into the Lutheran Church to read this for a detailed explanation