This unit seeks to lay a biblical, theological, and historical foundation that will inform the understanding of personal and corporate worship. Theological definitions of worship and spirituality will be established and a biblical theology of worship and spirituality in both Old and New Testaments will be developed. The distinctive “shape and narrative” of Christian worship will be carefully set forth, making it clear what is distinctive about this activity as compared with the worship practices found in other religions.
Historic patterns of worship and spirituality will be traced with a view to understanding them in their own time and place as well as how they might inform the worship and spirituality of today’s church.
Topics:
+ A theoretical framework (biblical, theological, and historical) for personal and corporate worship and spirituality.
+ The multifaceted expressions of worship and spirituality in a variety of Christian traditions.
+ The nature and role of the sacraments as an aspect of corporate worship.
+ The church’s historic liturgical patterns and spiritual disciplines
+ Engaging in worship and spirituality in the contemporary church.