For those of us whose Christian worship experience has been Low Church, this book is a fine introduction to the liturgical tradition. Galli's heartfelt passion for the liturgy is displayed on each page, while he correctly identifies some of the weaknesses in pop Christianity's modern (should we say "seeker friendly") worship. He notes, "Self-identified relevant churches, by their nature, limit a full-bodied expression of the church." Rather than try to pinpoint a specific target audience, liturgical worship transcends constantly changing cultural emphases.
Is it possible that liturgy is the remedy to the modern church's addiction to man-centered "relevancy?" Read this book. There is much fuel for future debate. |
Liturgy lures us through our senses, grounds us in a great tradition, and plants us in the midst of a diverse community, present and past. From our beginnings, Americans have tried on various religions, rituals, and philosophies in the quest for a unique and personal spirituality. But recently, we have seen a quiet and steadily growing fascination with orthodoxy, tradition, and the lasting rituals of the Christian faith. Are you attracted to liturgy but don't know why? Are you wondering about committing yourselves to a liturgical tradition? Are you immersed in liturgy and want to grasp its deeper significance? Beyond Smells and Bells answers these questions and more: It explains how liturgy not only broadens our understanding but also shapes our very lives. In today's individualistic culture, we need liturgy to establish us in community. In a culture that values spontaneity, liturgy grounds us in something enduring. In a culture that assumes truth is a product of the mind, liturgy helps us experience truth in both mind and body. In a world demanding instant gratification and immediate relevance, liturgy gives us patience to perceive a deeper relevance and joy that the larger culture can hardly perceive. In Mark Galli's able telling, liturgy is an intriguing story, full of mystery, that transforms us in body, mind, and spirit. |
