The Search for the Origins of Christian Worship

Description

Traditional liturgical scholarship has generally been marked by an attempt to fit together the various pieces of evidence for the practice of early Christian worship in such a way as to suggest that a single, coherent line of evolution can be traced from the apostolic age to the fourth century. Paul Bradshaw examines this methodology in the light of recent developments in Jewish liturgical scholarship, of current trends in New Testament studies, and of the nature of the source-documents themselves, and especially the ancient church orders. In its place he offers a guide to Christian liturgical origins which adopt a much more cautious approach, recognizing the limitations of what can truly be known, and takes seriously the clues pointing to the essentially variegated character of ancient Christian worship.

First Sentence

It seems strange that, while conscious reflection on the methodologies appropriate to the discipline has constituted a significant element in scholarly research in such areas as biblical studies and ecclesiastical history in the course of recent decades, the same has not really been true in the field of liturgical history.

Description

"The Search for the Origins of Christian Worship examines critically the sources for Christian liturgical practices in the first three centuries and discusses how these practices should be interpreted in order to avoid projecting modern concerns on to ancient times. Paul F. Bradshaw explores the variety of practices in the early Church and looks at the emergence of the classical shape of Christian liturgy as various traditions were brought together in the fourth century." "This new edition of the classic work has been rewritten to incorporate the fruits of the latest research and up-to-date bibliographical material. New chapters have been added on ministry and ordination, and on the effects of the coming of Christendom in the fourth century."--Jacket.

Subjects

Other Editions

• The Search for the Origins of Christian Worship: Sources and Methods for the Study of Early LiturgyOxford University Press, USA2002-03-21
• The search for the origins of Christian worshipSPCK1992-01-01
• The search for the origins of Christian worshipOxford University Press1992-01-01
• The Search for the Origins of Christian WorshipOxford University Press, USA1993-01-07
• The Search for the Origins of Christian WorshipOxford University Press, USA1993-01-07