Liturgical Piety

Within Christianity, when a different church body or denomination is raised in discussion, often similarities and differences are brought up or highlighted in terms of particular practices of piety and acts of devotion. This is also the case among those within one's own church body or denomination who differ on these matters.

When liturgical piety is attacked or undermined within church bodies that are historically liturgical it may be due to the questioning of acts of piety or a questioning of the essence of the liturgy itself. Whole movements within and outside of Christianity have arisen over the centuries in opposition to the liturgy. Charges of "ritualization" or "hyper-ritualization" are raised. The liturgy may be characterized in different ways and minimized as mere aesthetics (which implies that action is disconnected from the faith; worship is but public "show").

Is it rationalism? Is the liturgy now defined by the social sciences? The Scripture and the Church's tradition dare root the practice of liturgy in the Church's prayer. In the Christian tradition the liturgical direction is toward Christ in the Eucharist on the altar where the Lord's death is proclaimed. Even the preached Word leads to the altar.

When the liturgy and liturgical piety are attacked or undermined this may be due to a desire for new and exciting trends and fads, a desire to follow after movements or groups who do not follow the practices of the historic liturgy or a misunderstanding or rejection of the focus and spirit of the liturgy - that is the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

Liturgical piety is best practiced in the light of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church and her Tradition. The handing over of the deposit of faith takes place in the Church and is prayed in the liturgy. The Church believes, teaches and confesses what she prays and what she passes on to the faithful.

Rejection of the liturgy and acts of liturgical piety, even if we ourselves are not comfortable with such, is a conscious or unconscious rejection of the continuity of the faith. We do best to uphold the distinct nature of the liturgy and return to an appreciation of the essence of liturgical piety as is summarized in the lex orandi, lex credendi.

Lutheran Liturgical Renewal

Lutheran liturgical renewal is both evangelical and catholic. "Evangelical" here does not mean a style/substance move toward less "ritual" and toward "user friendly" and minimalistic and entertaining worship. Rather, Lutheran liturgical renewal is a move toward what is truly catholic, as is found in the historic liturgy, where the "evangel," ie, the faith, is delivered to the saints. This means that Lutheran liturgical renewal is not bound by the Reformation nor the Englightenment and that which came later, nor even that which has prevailed in the West as a result of Vatican II, but rather it demonstrates an appreciation of the catholic continuity in the liturgy that is found in Scripture and in the early church and is today also shared in greater part with the Church catholic throughout the world. Lutheran liturgical renewal upholds the lex orandi, lex credendi.

Liturgical Renewal

Liturgical Renewal . . .
- begins and ends with God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost
- is in Christ through the Word and Sacraments
- is in Christ in the ministry of the Church (ministerium Ecclesiasticum)
i.e., bishop, priest, deacon (the scriptural and traditional order)
more to come . . .

The Possibility of Liturgical Renewal

Liturgical renewal is possible among Lutherans today but only with a small number of pastors and congregations. Only small steps can be made within Lutheranism for a variety of reasons. These reasons arise from a variety of other concerns and priorities that, on an ongoing basis, present themselves to pastors and congregations. Liturgical renewal clearly cannot be imposed on either the pastor or the congregation. Rather such renewal should be based on and arise out of the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of the Altar. As the Eucharist is the focus of any and all liturgical renewal this means that the renewal must be recognized and supported by pastors and congregations in their own places. Everything depends on how the Eucharist is understood and received in each place. With renewed appreciation of the Eucharist appreciation and renewal of the liturgy will follow.

The Bride of Christ Journal: The Journal of Lutheran Liturgical Renewal was published from 1977 to 2007. Although the journal is currently not being published, liturgical renewal among Lutherans continues. Until the journal begins publication again we hope to use this blog and the accompanying website to encourage and support liturgical renewal by making past issues available online and by discussing the historic liturgy and its use among Lutherans today.

Coming soon: What is meant by "liturgical renewal"?

Past Issues - Update #4

Again, thank you for your donations of past issues and inquiries.
The following issues are still needed to help complete our collection.
We are interested in providing past issues online in the future.

2001 Vol. XXV, No. 1
1999 Vol. XXIII, No. 4
1993 Vol. XVII, No. 1
1990 Vol. XIV, Nos. 2 & 4
1989 Vol. XIII, Nos. 1 & 2
1988 ALL
1987 Vol. XI, Nos. 1, 3 & 4
1981-1986 ALL
1980 Vol. 4, Nos. 1,2,4
1977 -1979 ALL
(Note that the journal was first published with limited circulation
in 1977.)

(also UNA SANCTA)

Inquiries may be directed to me, Fr. Tim May, at maytd(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
Thank you.

Pope: "learn to live with Christ in mutual love"

Pope explores St. Paul's teaching on the Church as Bride of Christ

Facing the Bridegroom

"The faithful so anticipate the Lord's Second Coming and can be likened to the virgins in the Gospel parable: 'But at midnight there was a cry, "Behold the Bridegroom! Come out to meet him"' (Matt. 25:6) So are the faithful described in their "common direction of liturgical prayer." "The whole liturgy is celebrated . . . facing the Bridegroom."

- U.M. Lang, citing C. Schönborn, p. 102