What is it about?
This book explains how one can draw theological insight from liturgical realities. Primary among these are celebrations for which people have actually gathered. But they also include the texts and ritual objects they are using for these purposes, as well as the spaces where they gather and the arts seen, heard and performed in those spaces. The essay covers the emergence of liturgical theology in the context of the Liturgical Movement, discusses the major representatives in different cultural environments, investigates the methodological challenges of this peculiar paradigm of thinking, and sketches an agenda for the future of the discipline.
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Why is it important?
Scholars and thinkers in the field of liturgical theology are often confronted with reactions of pity and disdain. Yet they know there is a real treasure which constitutes the core of their activities and reflections. Sounding the liturgical essence of Christian faith, liturgical theologians can offer valuable additions to our knowledge of and insight into humanity, religion, culture, society, and spirituality. Moreover, within the orchestra of theology, liturgical theology signs up for the part of the basso continuo. It may not always be noticeable, but it is always present. Upon close inspection, liturgical theology accompanies every theological melody. So it is high time that the ignorance about it is expelled, and that its potential for research is both recognized and appreciated.
Perspectives
I became fascinated by the model of liturgical theology when I realized that it is not just one model among the many models available. Liturgical theology is not only an encompassing and comprehensive, but also a creative way of becoming more and more familiar with the essence of Christianity. I am much intrigued by the fact that liturgical theology proceeds synthetically rather than analytically, that it maintains harsh reality claims, that it reaches out to our human existence as a whole, and that it is somewhat "unzeitgemäss" in contemporary academia...
Joris Geldhof
Associatie KU Leuven
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This page is a summary of: Liturgical Theology as a Research Program, May 2020, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004426788_002.
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