Why go to church? What happens in church and why does it matter? The Empty Church presents fresh answers to these questions by creating an interdisciplinary conversation between theater directors and Christian theologians.This original study expands church beyond the sanctuary and into life. Shannon Craigo-Snell emphasizes the importance of liturgical worship in forming Christians as characters crafted by the texts of the Bible. This formation includes shaping how Christians know; in ways that involve the intellect; emotions; body; and will.Each chapter brings a theater director into dialogue with a theologian; teasing out the ways performance enriches hermeneutics; anthropology; and epistemology. Thinkers like Karl Barth; Peter Brook; Delores Williams; and Bertolt Brecht are examined for their insights into theology; worship; and theater. The result is a compelling depiction of church as performance of relationship with Jesus Christ; mediated by Scripture; in hope of the Holy Spirit.Liturgical worship; at its best; forms Christians in patterns of affections. This includes the cultivation of emotion memories influenced by biblical narratives; as well as a repertoire of physical actions that evoke particular affections. Liturgy also encourages Christians to step into various roles; enabling them to make intellectual and volitional choices about what roles to take up in society. Through liturgical worship; the author argues; Christians can be formed as people who hope; and therefore as people who live in expectation of the presence and grace of God. This entails a discipline of emptiness that awaits and appreciates the Holy Spirit. Church performance must therefore be provisional; ongoing; and open to further inspiration.
#1299307 in eBooks 2014-09-15 2014-09-15File Name: B00MLDBLL6
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Learned a lot about history of jazzBy planosueVery much enjoyed this book. As a novice to jazz history I especially enjoyed the format of this book in which Ratliff interviews well known jazz artists (those in late career or retirement as well as some in their early careers). InterestinglyRatliff does not directly ask those he interviewed about their own music and careers...rather he asks about the artists who have most influenced those interviewed. Using this strategy; Ratliff covers a broad range of jazz history. I learned a lot..very interesting.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great gift for Jazz loversBy The S manI got this as a gift for my father who loves jazz; he liked it a lot; it brought to life many of the big names he has known and listened to. It is good for basic to advanced fans of jazz; he probably fall somewhere in between and felt the content was not too technical.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good giftBy Sami got this for someone as a Christmas gift and they started reading it that night. It seems really interesting and they really liked it.
