A Sociological History of Christian Worship [Paperback]

This book provides a 2000 year history of Christian worship in its social context.This book provides a 2000 year history of Christian worship in its social context, combining sociological theory, social history and the latest developments in the study of liturgy. As well as examining the mainstream traditions of Christian worship in Europe and Byzantium, Stringer also gives space to lesser-known traditions in Armenia, India, Ethiopia and elsewhere. The book is aimed at all those interested in Christian worship and is written to appeal to students, clergy and lay members of churches as well as to liturgical scholars of all Christian denominations.This book provides a 2000 year history of Christian worship in its social context, combining sociological theory, social history and the latest developments in the study of liturgy. As well as examining the mainstream traditions of Christian worship in Europe and Byzantium, Stringer also gives space to lesser-known traditions in Armenia, India, Ethiopia and elsewhere. The book is aimed at all those interested in Christian worship and is written to appeal to students, clergy and lay members of churches as well as to liturgical scholars of all Christian denominations.The 2000 year history of Christian worship is viewed from a sociological perspective as Martin Stringer develops the idea of discourse as a way of understanding worship's place within many diverse social contexts. Stringer provides a broad survey of changes over 2000 years of the Christian church, together with a series of case studies that highlight particular elements of the worship, or specific theoretical applications. Offering a contribution to the ongoing debate that breaks away from a purely textual or theological study, this book provides a greater understanding of the place of worship in its social and cultural context.Introduction: discourse, devotion and embodiment; 1. Early Christian worship, texts and contexts to AD 300; 2. Worship and the ChristianislÓ^