Worship in Scripture and Tradition ed. by Massey H. Shepherd, Jr. (review)

BOOK REVIEWS t.l57 Worship in Scripture and Tradition. Edited by MASSEY H. SHEPHERD, JR. New York: Oxford University Press, 1963. Pp. 178. $4.50. The shift in relationships among various Christian thinkers from cold coexistence to cordial cooperation has resulted mainly from ecumenical efforts, but the effect of the new state of affairs is that many theological questions have to be probed afresh by both Catholic and Protestants alike. Catholic efforts to rethink the theological problems of the liturgy over the past sixty years have climaxed in the recent Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy. Protestant efforts along the same lines, though more recent and elementary, are reflected in Worship in Scripture and Tradition. A collection of essays by members of the North American Theological Commission on Worship of Faith and Order, the volume includes studies prepared during the years 1954 through 196~. Protestant scholars, especially in Europe, have for some time concerned themselves with the evolution of Christian worship, but the present collection of studies indicates concern for the underlying theological content of worship as it developed in the Bible and in the early Church tradition. Of special interest is the essay by J. Coert Rylaarsdam of the University of Chicago. Recognizing many insights of lasting value in the Old Testament worship, R. points out also the defect of Jewish cult in its inability to accomplish a complete acknowledgment of God on the part of man. Communion between Creator and creature is restored only through Christ who established the liturgy of the New Law as the instrument through which He would transmit the effects of His redemptive death and resurrection to all men. Writing in the same vein, the other authors too set forth constructive reevaluations of what they believe to be of primary importance for a liturgical renewal among Christians and for their reunion in the one Church as the Body of Christ. In short, the book is a worthwhile contribution of Protestant biblical and liturgical theology to the contemporary ecumenical dialogue. St. Anselm's Abbey, Washington, D. C. KEVIN SEASOLTZ, 0. s.B. ...