The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Liturgical Theology
Blackwell Companions to Religion
1. Edition April 2025
512 Pages, Hardcover
Professional Book
A groundbreaking collection of original essays on the meaning, depth, and breadth of liturgical theology.
The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Liturgical Theology offers an unprecedented account of this rapidly growing and interdisciplinary field. Unique in its depth and scope, this comprehensive volume defines the field of liturgical theology, examines its historical development, describes its mission and methodologies, reviews key theory and literature, and more. Original essays written by prominent and emerging scholars situate liturgical theology within the broader scheme of theological inquiry, reflecting the field's close links to systematic and biblical theology, ritual and socio-anthropological studies, and religious studies.
Designed for students and scholars alike, the companion serves as both an introduction to the field and as a clarion call to push the boundaries of existing research. The collected essays incorporate constructive research and practical application in essential areas of liturgical theology, discussing foundational topics including liturgical ecclesiology, linguistics and hermeneutics, the epistemology of liturgy, and the holy sacraments. Looking toward the future of the field, many essays focus on emerging subjects such as womanist liturgical theology, liturgy and trauma, and liturgical theology as ecclesial discernment. This unique state-of-the-art overview:
* Brings together contributions by a diverse panel of scholars representing more than a dozen denominations spanning five continents.
* Features a detailed introductory section containing traditional hermeneutics, literature reviews, and methodological examinations.
* Bridges the generational gap between younger and older practitioners within the field.
* Describes the current state of liturgical theology and suggests future research directions, placing liturgical theology within the broader scheme of theological inquiry.
The first research-based volume of its kind, The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Liturgical Theology is the perfect textbook for seminarians and lay students in courses on liturgical theology, the history of worship, and practical theology, as well as a valuable resource for theologians of all disciplines.
With both professor, practitioner, and student in mind, this collection of essays is designed to educate and inspire through constructive research and application in all matters of liturgical theology.
Introduction - Porter C. Taylor and Khalia J. Williams
Section 1 - Liturgical Theology: What It Is
* Gordon Lathrop, "What is Liturgical Theology?"
* Neal Presa, "Liturgical Theology and the Trinity: The Mission, Vision, and Values of the Church and the Christian Life"
* Jill Crainshaw, "The Wisdom of Dusty Shoes: Exploring Liturgical Knowing for Uncertain Times"
* Ronald Rienstra, "Methodology and Liturgical Ecclesiology"
* Stephen Kepnes, "Jewish Liturgical Theology"
* Catherine Pickstock, "Linguistics and Hermeneutics"
* Joris Geldhof, "Marmion's Meditations on the Mysteries of Christ as an Incentive for Liturgical Theology Today"
* Janet Walton, "Feminist Liturgical Theology"
* Khalia Williams, "Womanist Liturgical Theology"
10. Nicholas Wolterstorff - "Knowing God by Participating in Addressing God Liturgically"
Section 2 - Liturgical Theology: What It Does
11. Zoe Cordes Selbin, "Birthing New Liturgies: A Historical Account of the Churching of Women and a Call to Revision and Revival"
12. Porter C. Taylor, "A Rite Re-Ordered, A Rite Restored: The Churching of a Woman After Childbirth"
13. Susan K. Wood, "Baptismal Waters"
14. Bridget Nichols, "Confirmation"
15. Porter C. Taylor, "The Leitourgia and Paschal Mystery of Jesus as Foundation for Liturgical Theology"
16. James Farwell, "Broken Whole: Christian Reflections on the Eucharistic Fraction In a Comparative-Interreligious Light"
17. Julie Gittoes, "Marriage"
18. Bruce Morrill, "Holy Orders: Sacramental Service to the Church's Sacramentality"
19. Nicholas Denysenko, "Rethinking the Mystery of Reconciliation in the Liturgical Context"
20. Lizette Larson-Miller, "Healing/Sick/Death"
Section 3 - Liturgical Theology: Moving Forward
21. Karen O'Donnell, "Liturgy, Trauma, and Traumatic Liturgy"
22. Tim O'Malley, "Liturgical Aesthetics, Semiotics, and Desiring God"
23. Sarah Travis, "Decolonizing Liturgical Preaching"
24. Rebecca Spurrier, "Dis/abling Liturgical Theology"
25. Armand Léon van Ommen, "Joy and Suffering in Liturgy"
26. Sr. Maryann Madhavathu, "Liturgical Theology and the Liturgical Life of the Syro-Malabar Church"
27. Claudio Carvalhaes, "Liturgeography"
28. Kristine Suna-Koro, "Liturgical Theology and Post-Colonialism"
29. Rebecca Whitla, "In The Beginning Was Song..."
30. Amy Schifrin, "Engraved Upon Our Hearts: The Creeds in Worship"
31. Khalia Williams, "Encountering Christ: A Womanist Reading of Chauvet's Symbolic Exchange in Communion"
32. Adam Perez, Title TBD
The Rev. Dr. Khalia J. Williams is Associate Dean of Worship and Spiritual Formation, Associate Professor in the Practice of Worship, and Co-Director of the Baptist Studies Program at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. She is the co-author of A Worship Workbook: A Practical Guide for Extraordinary Liturgy (2021),and the co-editor of Theological Foundations for Entering Worship (2021).