What do you think?
Rate this book
Earth Filled with Heaven: Finding Life in Liturgy, Sacraments, and other Ancient Practices of the Church
Christians from a low-church background do not have to be afraid of liturgy and sacraments. On the contrary, these ancient ways of engaging with Scripture and faith, help us see the beauty and taste the grace of heaven through the incarnation of Jesus. Earth Filled with Heaven is an evangelical introduction to the theological framework and habits of the sacramental life. Author and Anglican priest Aaron Damiani translates this sometimes strange-to-us way of Christ-centered faith in an invitational and pastoral manner. He orients readers around a weekly celebration of the Lord’s supper, water baptism, liturgical prayer, the church calendar, the daily office—rhythms that quietly nourish us with the life of Jesus. As there are no recent lay introductions for protestant Christians who desire to deepen their roots in the ancient practices of the church, Earth Filled with Heaven speaks to a growing group of faithful Christians discovering these historic church practices for the first time.
208 pages, Paperback
Published August 2, 2022
25 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Damiani
3 books49 followersAaron Damiani (MA, Biblical Exegesis) serves as the Rector of Immanuel Anglican Church in Chicago and is the author of The Good of Giving Up: Discovering the Freedom of Lent (Moody, 2017) and Earth Filled With Heaven: Finding Life in Liturgy, Sacraments, and other Ancient Practices of the Church (Moody, 2022). Aaron writes and speaks regularly about spiritual formation, leadership and recovering the gifts of the ancient church for today's challenges. Aaron and his wife Laura live with their four kids in Chicago's Irving Park neighborhood.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 22, 2023
Beautiful, simple, pastoral. Weaving together the importance of Christian practices for everyday life with stories of their importance, Fr. Aaron lays out a helpful guide to understanding the holistic nature of Christian faith. A delightful book to read a chapter at a time to sit and contemplate, or a book that becomes a page turner. I would liken Fr. Aaron’s style a lot to one of his heroes, Tim Keller: simplicity without sacrificing depth & importance. Overall, a great introduction for those who aren’t familiar with ancient Christian spirituality and worship.
November 1, 2022
Such a joy to read! Made me laugh and cry, and left me loving the church even more.
10/10 would recommend to anyone new to Anglicanism or anyone from a non-denom background (like me) who is noticing the rising tide of evangelicals gravitating toward “high church” / liturgical / sacramental traditions and wanting to know what all the fuss is about (without doing a rigorous church history deep dive… although if that’s your thing, go for it). 😌
10/10 would recommend to anyone new to Anglicanism or anyone from a non-denom background (like me) who is noticing the rising tide of evangelicals gravitating toward “high church” / liturgical / sacramental traditions and wanting to know what all the fuss is about (without doing a rigorous church history deep dive… although if that’s your thing, go for it). 😌
August 2, 2022
In my opinion, theology with its feet on the ground is the best (dare I say only?) kind, and that's what I found in Earth Filled with Heaven. This is a book I hope to share with friends or family from a church background like mine. Aaron accomplishes what he set out to do; introduce and argue for the value of liturgy, sacraments, etc., in a widely accessible and joyful tone. With humor and humility, he lays out the immense significance of liturgy, sacraments, and other practices of the church. I think the strengths of this book are found in the simple explanations and suggestions for how the sacraments can and should bear on individual and ecclesial life, without arguing for one church tradition at the expense of another.
January 31, 2023
I admit I am biased, the author is my pastor. :) Fr. Aaron has a knack for articulating the gift of liturgical worship & sacramental worldview. This book breathes fresh life for those familiar with these ideas, and offers clarity and a compelling vision to those from other backgrounds. In his book, as in his life and leadership, Fr. Aaron expresses well the reality that liturgy & sacraments are not empty rituals, but are graces that are ALL about pointing us to Jesus himself and rooting our lives deeply in His.
August 20, 2022
I find that discussions of liturgy and spiritual practices can often come across as legalistic and prescriptive and that’s not at all what you find here. Father Aaron’s writing is gentle and encouraging, pointing us back to ancient practices that are good food for our hungry souls. It’s not a devotional but lends itself well to that style of reading and I found myself reading about a chapter a night before bed. I especially appreciated the chapters on time and prayers of the people. Will probably return to this one again!
April 13, 2023
This was a very readable and helpful book about the value of traditional liturgy and how it can draw us closer to Jesus and to the global historic church. I really enjoyed this read.
June 10, 2024
This is a wonderful introductory book to liturgical practices within a church service, especially for believers who are more unfamiliar with them.
I was drawn in by the sharing his own story of faith and doubt, and how liturgical practices helped steady him and lead him back to Christ.
An Anglican pastor, Aaron links elements of the liturgy with aspects of our lives for God in the world and in community.
Chapter topics include:
• Baptism
• Eucharist/The Lord’s Supper
• The Church Year/Seasons
• The Public Reading of Scripture
• The Historic Creeds
• Praying Old Prayers
• Mission
I appreciated his inclusion of “praying old prayers” such as those in beloved books such as “The Valley of Vision” and “The Book of Common Prayer.” In chapter 8, I appreciated the details which covered Confession and the Prayers of the People. The chapter on mission was especially inspiring as well!
I would recommend this book to any who wonder about and want to rightly understand the why behind the different elements of liturgical church services.
Highlights:
“…the Scriptures assigned for morning prayer that day helped root me in something more solid: ‘O God, my heart is fixed, my heart is firmly fixed; I will sing and give praise with the best that I have.’
My emotions were not fixed— they were swirling with anxiety. My situation was not fixed—and it still isn't. But somehow by praying this old psalm, my heart began to fix itself on the solid ground of God's kingdom.”
“…if you insist on having control over all the conditions, you're not really on a pilgrimage anymore. This is part of why the liturgical year is so powerful: it yields control and calls us into deeper transformation. Every time we take the journey, it causes the shape of our life ‘to be curved into [a] script that proclaims [the] . . . good news.’”
“Sometimes we treat the week as a prison sentence: counting down the days until we are free.”
“Maybe there, in that bonfire of prayer, is where the church's renewal will begin: in collective weakness, as the kinetic energy of our fears and failures are released in passionate, united prayer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
Readability: 4
Impact: 3
Content: 3
Enjoyment: 4
Total: 3.5 stars
Thank you to Moody Publishers for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I was drawn in by the sharing his own story of faith and doubt, and how liturgical practices helped steady him and lead him back to Christ.
An Anglican pastor, Aaron links elements of the liturgy with aspects of our lives for God in the world and in community.
Chapter topics include:
• Baptism
• Eucharist/The Lord’s Supper
• The Church Year/Seasons
• The Public Reading of Scripture
• The Historic Creeds
• Praying Old Prayers
• Mission
I appreciated his inclusion of “praying old prayers” such as those in beloved books such as “The Valley of Vision” and “The Book of Common Prayer.” In chapter 8, I appreciated the details which covered Confession and the Prayers of the People. The chapter on mission was especially inspiring as well!
I would recommend this book to any who wonder about and want to rightly understand the why behind the different elements of liturgical church services.
Highlights:
“…the Scriptures assigned for morning prayer that day helped root me in something more solid: ‘O God, my heart is fixed, my heart is firmly fixed; I will sing and give praise with the best that I have.’
My emotions were not fixed— they were swirling with anxiety. My situation was not fixed—and it still isn't. But somehow by praying this old psalm, my heart began to fix itself on the solid ground of God's kingdom.”
“…if you insist on having control over all the conditions, you're not really on a pilgrimage anymore. This is part of why the liturgical year is so powerful: it yields control and calls us into deeper transformation. Every time we take the journey, it causes the shape of our life ‘to be curved into [a] script that proclaims [the] . . . good news.’”
“Sometimes we treat the week as a prison sentence: counting down the days until we are free.”
“Maybe there, in that bonfire of prayer, is where the church's renewal will begin: in collective weakness, as the kinetic energy of our fears and failures are released in passionate, united prayer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
Readability: 4
Impact: 3
Content: 3
Enjoyment: 4
Total: 3.5 stars
Thank you to Moody Publishers for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
October 4, 2022
Earth Filled with Heaven reveals practices, rituals, and ceremonies of the Christian Faith all the way back to ancient days. I learned a lot about things that I never really questioned, as well as about things I didn’t know about.
One of the things I most appreciated about this book was the over-the-coffee-table narration. I like that the language used wasn’t narrated in a superior way. It gives simple explanations and examples. I also appreciate the emphasis on the important day to day practices, rather than looking toward future rituals or observances.
Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
One of the things I most appreciated about this book was the over-the-coffee-table narration. I like that the language used wasn’t narrated in a superior way. It gives simple explanations and examples. I also appreciate the emphasis on the important day to day practices, rather than looking toward future rituals or observances.
Disclosure: #CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
August 18, 2025
This was gifted to me by a friend and I really enjoyed it. It is more of an introduction to ancient liturgy and the benefit for the modern person. as someone already convinced of this, it didn't have any heavy lifting to do for me. I would have liked a deeper exploration, but I can recommend this to people who express interest in anglicanism, Catholicism, or orthodoxy.
September 1, 2022
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.
What to Expect
Slightly different than what I was expecting, Earth Filled with Heaven explores a variety of themes connected to church participation and tradition. While I was expecting a deeper dive into individual sacraments, it’s more of a general survey with examples. For instance, while there are whole chapters devoted to the Eucharist and baptism, there’s just one chapter about the church calendar. There’s a chapter about mission, based on the final prayer of the service, and the last chapter is about courage. I think my favorite chapters were five and six, which focused on “Scripture, Creeds, and Old Prayers” and “Liturgy.”
Favorite Quotes
“This is the fundamental issue around our view of the world: Can we see Jesus Christ in creation, around creation, and through creation? Have our imaginations been baptized like Patrick or warped like Saruman’s?”
p. 34
Context: Damiani contrasts the real life story of St. Patrick with the life of Tolkien’s fictional Saruman. Whereas Patrick saw the world as having been created by Jesus, Saruman saw the world as something to exploit. Damiani uses these figures to discuss the importance of a material Jesus– that is– Jesus in the flesh.
“What if we inhabited our week like a cathedral instead of a prison?”
p. 61
Context: Damiani rightly observes that many of us are “trapped” in the pattern of the week, slogging through each day until we get to the weekend. In Christ, the author explains, we are invited into a different way of life, and traditional church rhythms help us to remember and dwell in Him, in our day to day lives.
What I Liked
My favorite parts of the book were the invitational parts: those sections that emphasized participating in Christ, through regular rhythms of prayer. This is something I learned just a little bit about when I used to attend the “Fives” chapel, at Biola University. This chapel was weekly at 5 PM on Tuesdays, and it was my first regular liturgical eperience. It was a time to draw back to Jesus, even amidst the busyness of the day/week.
I really liked that there were a few prayers, throughout the book. These, and the book itself, heightened my interest in regular daily prayers, such as in the Book of Common Prayer.
I appreciated the explanations of certain high church traditions, including crossing oneself. The author explains that church services in this tradition are meant to feel foreign, as they are a call to separate from the things of earth. At the same time, I do like that Damiani explains the origin and significance of certain elements that may not make sense to visitors. For that reason, the book does a great job doing what it set out to do: introducing Christians of different backgrounds to the sacramental life.
Respectful Critique
This is more about the content than about the writing, but there is a lot of emphasis on the “local church,” which seems, at points to be conflated with the Church, the Bride of Christ. I believe the author’s intent is ecumenical, which I appreciate, but I also feel that there is an important distinction between the two, because people can attend church and not be part of His body.
The author does do a good job of reminding readers that we are part of Jesus’ body, and that His body is very important to Him. These are important points; I just would have preferred that message not be mixed up with the idea that Jesus’s bride is the same thing as the local church.
I also was hoping the book would delve a bit more into the connections between Jewish and early church traditions, but this is, again, a matter of preference.
Recommendation Status
If you’re looking for a book that offers a personalized approach to the sacramental life, this is not the book. But I think that’s very intentional on the part of the author. Damiani places a strong emphasis on entering into church traditions — that is, participating in the things that the Bride of Christ, past and present, does. In this sense, the book is also a harkening back to the community of faith—over which Christ is head. Overall, I’m comfortable recommending the book, but with reader discretion.
What to Expect
Slightly different than what I was expecting, Earth Filled with Heaven explores a variety of themes connected to church participation and tradition. While I was expecting a deeper dive into individual sacraments, it’s more of a general survey with examples. For instance, while there are whole chapters devoted to the Eucharist and baptism, there’s just one chapter about the church calendar. There’s a chapter about mission, based on the final prayer of the service, and the last chapter is about courage. I think my favorite chapters were five and six, which focused on “Scripture, Creeds, and Old Prayers” and “Liturgy.”
Favorite Quotes
“This is the fundamental issue around our view of the world: Can we see Jesus Christ in creation, around creation, and through creation? Have our imaginations been baptized like Patrick or warped like Saruman’s?”
p. 34
Context: Damiani contrasts the real life story of St. Patrick with the life of Tolkien’s fictional Saruman. Whereas Patrick saw the world as having been created by Jesus, Saruman saw the world as something to exploit. Damiani uses these figures to discuss the importance of a material Jesus– that is– Jesus in the flesh.
“What if we inhabited our week like a cathedral instead of a prison?”
p. 61
Context: Damiani rightly observes that many of us are “trapped” in the pattern of the week, slogging through each day until we get to the weekend. In Christ, the author explains, we are invited into a different way of life, and traditional church rhythms help us to remember and dwell in Him, in our day to day lives.
What I Liked
My favorite parts of the book were the invitational parts: those sections that emphasized participating in Christ, through regular rhythms of prayer. This is something I learned just a little bit about when I used to attend the “Fives” chapel, at Biola University. This chapel was weekly at 5 PM on Tuesdays, and it was my first regular liturgical eperience. It was a time to draw back to Jesus, even amidst the busyness of the day/week.
I really liked that there were a few prayers, throughout the book. These, and the book itself, heightened my interest in regular daily prayers, such as in the Book of Common Prayer.
I appreciated the explanations of certain high church traditions, including crossing oneself. The author explains that church services in this tradition are meant to feel foreign, as they are a call to separate from the things of earth. At the same time, I do like that Damiani explains the origin and significance of certain elements that may not make sense to visitors. For that reason, the book does a great job doing what it set out to do: introducing Christians of different backgrounds to the sacramental life.
Respectful Critique
This is more about the content than about the writing, but there is a lot of emphasis on the “local church,” which seems, at points to be conflated with the Church, the Bride of Christ. I believe the author’s intent is ecumenical, which I appreciate, but I also feel that there is an important distinction between the two, because people can attend church and not be part of His body.
The author does do a good job of reminding readers that we are part of Jesus’ body, and that His body is very important to Him. These are important points; I just would have preferred that message not be mixed up with the idea that Jesus’s bride is the same thing as the local church.
I also was hoping the book would delve a bit more into the connections between Jewish and early church traditions, but this is, again, a matter of preference.
Recommendation Status
If you’re looking for a book that offers a personalized approach to the sacramental life, this is not the book. But I think that’s very intentional on the part of the author. Damiani places a strong emphasis on entering into church traditions — that is, participating in the things that the Bride of Christ, past and present, does. In this sense, the book is also a harkening back to the community of faith—over which Christ is head. Overall, I’m comfortable recommending the book, but with reader discretion.
June 30, 2023
I've had the pleasure of reading "Earth Filled with Heaven" by Aaron Damiani, a book that has genuinely enriched my life. It's one of those rare books that doesn't just give you something to think about but also provides actionable practices to bring its teachings into reality.
Aaron's work is a captivating exploration of faith, the everyday divine, and our place within it. With profound insight and elegant prose, he delves into the complex intersections of the physical and spiritual realms, illuminating how the heavenly can be discovered within the earthly.
The beauty of this book lies not only in its thoughtful reflections but also in the practices it encourages. Aaron has a unique gift for translating abstract spiritual concepts into concrete actions, making spirituality an accessible, everyday experience rather than a lofty, unreachable ideal. Each chapter ends with a practical application, allowing readers to directly engage with the book's teachings.
The book's ability to inspire thought is remarkable; Aaron gently encourages you to reevaluate your perception of the world and your place within it, while instilling a newfound appreciation for the mundane. He demonstrates that the ordinary isn't just ordinary - it's filled with the divine, if only we take the time to look.
"Earth Filled with Heaven" is a spiritual journey that challenges, uplifts, and ultimately transforms. Aaron has masterfully created a guide that invites us into a deeper understanding of our world, our faith, and ourselves. His insights and practices have had a profound impact on my own spiritual journey, and I believe they can do the same for others.
I wholeheartedly recommend "Earth Filled with Heaven" to anyone seeking a deeper connection with the divine within their daily lives. Whether you're a seasoned spiritual explorer or just beginning your journey, this book has something to offer you. As I told someone, this is more than a book – it's an experience. It invites you into a new way of viewing and interacting with the world. And once you've experienced it, you'll never look at your everyday life in the same way again.
Aaron's work is a captivating exploration of faith, the everyday divine, and our place within it. With profound insight and elegant prose, he delves into the complex intersections of the physical and spiritual realms, illuminating how the heavenly can be discovered within the earthly.
The beauty of this book lies not only in its thoughtful reflections but also in the practices it encourages. Aaron has a unique gift for translating abstract spiritual concepts into concrete actions, making spirituality an accessible, everyday experience rather than a lofty, unreachable ideal. Each chapter ends with a practical application, allowing readers to directly engage with the book's teachings.
The book's ability to inspire thought is remarkable; Aaron gently encourages you to reevaluate your perception of the world and your place within it, while instilling a newfound appreciation for the mundane. He demonstrates that the ordinary isn't just ordinary - it's filled with the divine, if only we take the time to look.
"Earth Filled with Heaven" is a spiritual journey that challenges, uplifts, and ultimately transforms. Aaron has masterfully created a guide that invites us into a deeper understanding of our world, our faith, and ourselves. His insights and practices have had a profound impact on my own spiritual journey, and I believe they can do the same for others.
I wholeheartedly recommend "Earth Filled with Heaven" to anyone seeking a deeper connection with the divine within their daily lives. Whether you're a seasoned spiritual explorer or just beginning your journey, this book has something to offer you. As I told someone, this is more than a book – it's an experience. It invites you into a new way of viewing and interacting with the world. And once you've experienced it, you'll never look at your everyday life in the same way again.
January 20, 2023
3.5/5 A decent book on the theology and doctrine of the Anglican church (specifically those part of the Continuing Anglican Movement). As someone who has joined in the last year, I found this helpful in understanding the sacraments, liturgy at church and home, and the Anglican prayer style. I think that there are many who would benefit from reading this, whether they have been Anglican for long or not. I at times found great comfort in the words, as well as felt challenged to lead a more holy life.
I did respectfully disagree somewhat with Father Damiani's views on suffering. While the general theology, I believe, is correct, I do think it comes across a little bit as if you just pray and trust God, everything happens for a reason and everything will be fine. It's easy to say that when others are suffering, but it is much easier said than done when push comes to shove. While I believe at times suffering is very much God's will, it comes off as a bit misleading and insensitive to look at victims and just say they need to trust God and pray with an almost what doesn't kill you makes you stronger mindset. Suffering, healing, and forgiveness is a process often much more complex than that and often times, serious trauma can be done to a person's soul after suffering true abuse, especially in a church.
I did respectfully disagree somewhat with Father Damiani's views on suffering. While the general theology, I believe, is correct, I do think it comes across a little bit as if you just pray and trust God, everything happens for a reason and everything will be fine. It's easy to say that when others are suffering, but it is much easier said than done when push comes to shove. While I believe at times suffering is very much God's will, it comes off as a bit misleading and insensitive to look at victims and just say they need to trust God and pray with an almost what doesn't kill you makes you stronger mindset. Suffering, healing, and forgiveness is a process often much more complex than that and often times, serious trauma can be done to a person's soul after suffering true abuse, especially in a church.
November 8, 2022
Very enjoyable read. As a protestant with fond Catholic roots this really helped me tie together some of the foundation of my religion with my current practice. I chalked up my enjoyment of my occasional Mass participation to nostalgia, but while reading this book I understood better that my heart simply longs for liturgy from time to time. I love my evangelical church experience, but do find myself wishing there was a little more "audience participation" required. I have very little liturgical experience outside of the Catholic Church, but I have long felt that Catholic funerals and weddings seem to be so much more authentic and special because of the time, attention, and honor all the little details that go into these ceremonies. Damiani certainly isn't pushing for catholicism, of course, just the inclusion of liturgy in our worship, with which I agree. Aside from the concepts, the book was well-written and easy to read. Damiani uses an astonishing amount of old to modern literature to weave in metaphor and simile and shares stories from his life and ministry, which always makes it easier to connect to a non-fiction author. Looking forward to reading future books!
September 5, 2022
A rapid tour through church practices / traditions and their connections to ancient church history may not sound at first like a fun read to many people. But from the first paragraph, it's clear that Damiani is not setting out to write an intellectual, dry treatise for theologians. He immediately begins with clear, casual language that makes you feel like he's talking to you in a coffee shop rather than teaching about the sacraments.
Damiani shares his personal story in the first chapter with a unique humility and vulnerability that helps you to immediately relax and trust him as he flies through short chapters on the Eucharist, baptism, church time, scripture / creeds / old prayers, liturgy, passing the peace, the prayers of the people, mission, and courage. Each chapter is 10-20 pages and full of examples, quotes, and simple explanations about the deeper tradition behind many church practices.
I read this book in just a few days - it was light, refreshing, and full of surprising connections to history. I came away with 1) a much deeper appreciation of many church practices that I had never really taken much time to learn about and 2) a stronger feeling of solidarity with ancient Christians, many of whom sacrificed their lives for the mission of Jesus Christ.
Damiani shares his personal story in the first chapter with a unique humility and vulnerability that helps you to immediately relax and trust him as he flies through short chapters on the Eucharist, baptism, church time, scripture / creeds / old prayers, liturgy, passing the peace, the prayers of the people, mission, and courage. Each chapter is 10-20 pages and full of examples, quotes, and simple explanations about the deeper tradition behind many church practices.
I read this book in just a few days - it was light, refreshing, and full of surprising connections to history. I came away with 1) a much deeper appreciation of many church practices that I had never really taken much time to learn about and 2) a stronger feeling of solidarity with ancient Christians, many of whom sacrificed their lives for the mission of Jesus Christ.
October 6, 2022
A wonderful, winsome, accessible, pastoral defense of liturgy and sacramental practice. Coming from a writer who was immersed in the low-church, evangelical world, it has some credibility, and he speaks as one who truly understands that culture. This is an excellent "primer" for anyone who might be attracted to more traditional forms of Christian practice, but doesn't have language for that longing. As someone on that journey myself, I read this to see if it would be a good book to recommend to others who are exploring similar ideas, and I'm happy to say this is one I can recommend.
As an intro, however, it does sacrifice depth for accessibility in some places. If you are already well-read in sacramental theology, or already immersed in liturgical practices, then you may not find much new material here. But as an intro text, it's probably the best I've read.
As an intro, however, it does sacrifice depth for accessibility in some places. If you are already well-read in sacramental theology, or already immersed in liturgical practices, then you may not find much new material here. But as an intro text, it's probably the best I've read.
November 23, 2022
Having arrived at this book not knowing much about liturgy or Anglicanism, I leave having learnt so much and wanting to explore it further. There were also certain chapters in this book, like the chapter on the Eucharist, which made me view commonly shared Christian practices in a whole new way.
I admit, I've never fully understood the meaning of the analogy between the church as bridegroom and Christ as the bride. This book explains is so well. In the chapter about liturgy, there is a really clear analogy of church services originally being like a wedding service, as a result of the liturgical words that are repeated weekly.
I took a lot from this book, there wasn't a chapter that I didn't enjoy. The writing style was engaging and the concepts were explained v well
I admit, I've never fully understood the meaning of the analogy between the church as bridegroom and Christ as the bride. This book explains is so well. In the chapter about liturgy, there is a really clear analogy of church services originally being like a wedding service, as a result of the liturgical words that are repeated weekly.
I took a lot from this book, there wasn't a chapter that I didn't enjoy. The writing style was engaging and the concepts were explained v well
July 10, 2023
We often presume theology, liturgy, and ancient church practices as just knowledge, mindless actions, complicated and disengaging. (You name it, people probably think it!) But good theology is robust and active. Taking meaning and doing something with it. Aaron Damiani presents this feet-on-the-ground and active theology beautifully. He shows the good and beautiful intricacies of ancient tradition with the warmth and care of a pastor and the wisdom of a Godly leader. An excellent place to begin understanding life within liturgy, sacraments, and the ancient church!
You will laugh, cry, learn, and love this book!
You will laugh, cry, learn, and love this book!
March 14, 2024
Great book that I highly recommend to anyone who desire to learn more about liturgy, sacraments and ancient practices of the church.
It is beautifully written and easy to understand. You will learn much about many things that are done in churches. Often we go through the motions with understanding the reasons behind it. This book will open your understanding and you will have aha moments.
I plan to revisit this book on a yearly basis because I am sure that I will glean new insights every time I read it.
It is beautifully written and easy to understand. You will learn much about many things that are done in churches. Often we go through the motions with understanding the reasons behind it. This book will open your understanding and you will have aha moments.
I plan to revisit this book on a yearly basis because I am sure that I will glean new insights every time I read it.
November 8, 2023
A simple and readable intro to the goodness of sacramental and liturgical practice, expressed in a way that's accessible to the vocabulary and concerns of evangelical subculture (though, in appealing to that market, it leans a bit into moral panic over changing times and plays a bit safe in terms of the radical implications of historical and contemplative traditions). A decent recommend for anyone new to the topic or looking for a quick read.
December 27, 2022
Great read (or listen, in my case on this one) for understanding the rituals we go through in church and he habits of our faith. … how they originated, the message or tie to Christianity and why we still conduct them.
Plus, the time of year that I listened to this was just a good grounding as a reminder of what we are celebrating.
Plus, the time of year that I listened to this was just a good grounding as a reminder of what we are celebrating.
February 28, 2023
Great introduction to liturgical and Anglican practices and how this adds vibrancy to our Christian faith. I liked the practical applications of bonfires in the community for Pentecost, as well as kite flying for feast of ascension. Made me also reconsider the structure of church meeting and using creeds, confessions, and communal prayers.
Read
July 2, 2023This wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped. I’m already sold on the value of liturgy, sacramental worship, and the church calendar. I was hoping for more “how” than “why”. And there were so many literary allusions as illustration that it got to be a little bit much.
BUT the book gave me some introspection/conviction on the idea of mission (“The ancient gifts of the church are not collector’s items.”) and led to some good discussion in our house about deconstruction, faith, and devotion.
BUT the book gave me some introspection/conviction on the idea of mission (“The ancient gifts of the church are not collector’s items.”) and led to some good discussion in our house about deconstruction, faith, and devotion.
November 3, 2023
This is a great beginning read for anyone interested in how liturgy, the sacraments, and the ancient church connect with life today. Aaron is an Anglican priest in Chicago. He planted a church in the same neighborhood Beth and I lived in for 3 years and where we began our married life. We also were students at Moody at the same time! I highly recommend this book.
November 17, 2022
A good reminder of the value of liturgy!
April 5, 2023
Great book on the importance of liturgy
July 30, 2024
I agreed with most of the book, and found it useful
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews