Holy Conversation: Spirituality for Worship - Softcover

Linman, Jonathan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0800621301 ISBN 13: 9780800621308

Publisher: Fortress Press, 2010

Synopsis

Despite widespread interest in spirituality, its most common corporate form, congregational worship, is rarely discussed in those terms. This book explores liturgical spirituality as a holy conversation between God and us.

Linking the themes of spirituality and worship and giving each needed focus in ways that are biblically and theologically rich and consistent with ecumenical traditions, this book specifically explores the relationship of sacred reading (lectio divina) to worship. Linman sees this practice as one element in the larger liturgical action of Gathering, Word, Meal, and Sending. Our "spiritual worship" (cf. Rom 12:1), he argues, is the holy conversation between worshipers and the triune God who leads us to greater participation in Christ and to transformation through Christ's presence.

Raising important issues for worship renewal and interspersed with practical insights and suggestions, this book serves as a primer for those who want to more fully learn how to worship, and, through the power of the Spirit, to deepen their awareness of the encounter with Christ made known in Word and Sacrament.

About this title

About the Author:

Jonathan Linman is Bishop's Assistant for Formation in the Metro New York Synod of the ELCA and adjunct faculty at General Theological Seminary in New York City. He holds his doctorate from Duquesne University.

Review:

"This is a book to be savored. By interpreting liturgy in light of the movements of lectio divina, Jonathan Linman offers a fresh approach to the dynamics of liturgy. Holy Conversation invites both those responsible for preparing for or leading worship and those yearning for a deeper spiritual experience in worship to listen and respond to the work of the Spirit and so to engage liturgy deeply and richly." --Ruth Meyers, Church Divinity School of the Pacific

"This book beautifully embodies what it describes: attentive and reflective conversation with the reader about the 'holy conversation' that is liturgy. Liturgical theologians have focused on the meaning of liturgy's deep structure or ordo; Linman presents a model for engaging the ordo and, in the process, richly redescribes the ordo itself. Holy Conversation is the next step in the study of liturgy." --James W. Farwell, Bethany College, West Virginia

"The heart of any authentic Christian spirituality is the church's liturgical life, the feast of Word and Sacrament. Linman opens the contemplative experience of liturgical worship in new and deeply faithful ways, inviting an encompassing, personal 'holy conversation' with the One who is life for the world. A great gift." --Lisa E. Dahill, Trinity Lutheran Seminary

About this edition

• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0800621301
• ISBN 13: 9780800621308
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224