ISBN Ancient Christian Worship (Early Church Practices in Social, Historical, and Theological Perspective) book English Paperback 312 pages

An Important Study on the Worship of the Early ChurchThis introduction to the origins of Christian worship illuminates the importance of ancient liturgical patterns for contemporary Christian practice. Andrew McGowan, a leading scholar of early Christian liturgy, takes a fresh approach to understanding how Christians came to worship in the distinctive forms still familiar today. Deftly and expertly processing the bewildering complexity of the ancient sources into lucid, fluent exposition, he sets aside common misperceptions to explore the roots of Christian ritual practices--including the Eucharist, baptism, communal prayer, preaching, Scripture reading, and music--in their earliest recoverable settings. Students of Christian worship and theology as well as pastors and church leaders will value this work.Contents1. Introduction: The Origins of Christian Worship2. Meal: Banquet and Eucharist3. Word: Reading and Preaching4. Music: Song and Dance5. Initiation: Baptism, Anointing, and Foot Washing6. Prayer: Hours, Ways, and Texts7. Time: Feasts and FastsEpilogue: The Making of Christian WorshipIndexes