Searching high and low (church) for the liturgy

May 20, 2006 · Filed Under theology

Over at Gottesblog, Fr. Eckardt has posted a wonderful essay in which he engages & re-examines the appropriate usage of the terms “high-church” and “low-church” — High Church or No Church?

I think he’s on to something, with his contention that the liturgy (and how it’s treated) is now the key ground upon which the battle between “high” & “low” is being fought. The gift that is the historic liturgy has been squandered & sacrificed on the altar of adiaphora, in a misguided (and ultimately destructive) application of Christian freedom.

In a similar vein, over at Father Hollywood, Fr. Hollywood (aka Rev. Beane) also makes some wonderful points about the over-adiaphorization that has resulted in a devaluing of the liturgy — Eggs, bread, coffee, and liturgical conversation:

This way of thinking has led us to a kind of liturgical minimalism - “what is the very least I can get away with doing, and still get the benefit of God’s promise?” becomes the resulting question. Our lazy, sinful flesh loves this question, because as every good Lutheran knows, salvation is by grace alone. There is nothing I have to do, so I will do nothing.

Thankfully, there are still caring undershepherds like Fr. Eckardt & Rev. Beane who continue to sound the clarion call of orthodoxy & orthopraxis!

-ghp

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Tags: liturgy, lutheran, orthodoxy, theology, tradition