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Worship Today: Understanding, Practice, Ecumenical Implications (Faith and Order Paper No. 194 from the World Council of Churches),
Edited by Thomas F. Best and Dagmar Heller
RRP: $52.95
The commentators in this collection seek to find what is common in Christian traditions, East and West, such as the central place given to the worship of God by all Christians.
There is also recognition that there are continuing difficulties for Christians to participate fully in the worship of other churches; the eucharist or Lord’s supper remaining perhaps the major stumbling block.
Attention is given to the hesitations of the Orthodox churches and the theological bases for these. Some consider questions of enculturation. Disappointments and future hopes are voiced.
This book is valuable for those who would like to enlarge their understanding of the Christian churches world-wide and their approaches to worship.
Does it lead to further practical developments towards Christian unity? It does not propose precise steps for the churches to take, but its force may well be in the wider understanding it offers to its readers and the way that this becomes reflected in local gatherings of Christian people for common prayer and the tasks of mission: doing together what can be done together.
It can speak to all by indicating that there is never simply one right way for Christians to worship God, made known in Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
