What Are They Reading Now?: Faculty Recommendations

Eric BolgerCourse readings change over time, and IWS alumni are always eager to get updates on the teaching resources currently being used and recommended by IWS faculty. The faculty was asked what books they have added to their required reading lists along with other titles they highly recommend. As you check out the list, remember to visit the IWS Online Bookstore or IWS Amazon when ordering. Books are discounted on both sites, plus each purchase helps IWS. And, do not forget the IWS Bibliography, which remains one of the most comprehensive source lists on worship texts. It is updated regularly by our bibliographer, Dr. Mark Torgerson.

MWS 501: A Biblical Theology of Worship
Eric Bolger

Smith, James K.A. Imagining the Kingdom: How Worship Works. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013.

MWS 502: History of Christian Worship
Greg Wilde

Malloy, Patrick. Celebrating the Eucharist: A Practical Ceremonial Guide for Clergy and Other Liturgical Ministers. New York: Church Publishing, 2007.

Bradshaw, Paul F. and Maxwell E. Johnson. The Origins of Feasts, Fasts, and Seasons in Early Christianity. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 2011.

MWS 503: Contextualization, Spirituality and Christian Worship
Carl Park

Kilde, Jeanne Halgren. Sacred Power, Sacred Space: An Introduction to Christian Architecture and Worship. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.

Kreider, Alan and Eleanor Kreider. Worship and Mission after Christendom. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2011.

Nelson, Timothy J. Every Time I Feel the Spirit: Religious Experience and Ritual in an African-American Church. New York: New York University Press, 2005.

Smith, James K.A. Imagining the Kingdom: How Worship Works. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013.

Smith, James K.A. Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism?: Taking Derrida, Lyotard, and Foucault to Church. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006.

Wuthnow, Robert. After the Boomers: How Twenty- and Thirty-Somethings are Shaping the Future of American Religion. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007.

MWS 504: Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Christian Worship
Frank Fortunato

Borger, Joyce, Martin Tel, and John D. Witvliet, eds. Lift Up Your Hearts: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. Grand Rapids: Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2013.

DWS 701: The Biblical Foundations and Historical Development of Christian Worship
Andy Hill

Bartholomew Craig G., and Michael W. Goheen. The Drama of Scripture: Finding our Place in the Biblical Story. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004.

Castleman, Robbie. Story-shaped Worship: Following Patterns From the Bible and History. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2013.

Richter, Sandra. The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry Into the Old Testament. Downers Grove, Ill: IVP Academic, 2008.

Lester Ruth

Melanie Ross. Evangelical vs. Liturgical?: Defying a Dichotomy. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2014.

DWS 702: The Renewal of Sunday Worship: Music and the Arts
Jeff Barker

Barker, Jeff. The Storytelling Church: Adventures in Reclaiming the Role of Story in Worship. Cleveland, TN: Webber Institute Books, 2011.

Taylor, W. David O, ed. For the Beauty of the Church: Casting a Vision for the Arts. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2010.

Constance Cherry

Cherry, Constance. The Worship Architect: A Blueprint for Designing Culturally Relevant and Biblically Faithful Services. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010.

Cherry, Constance M., Mary M. Brown, and Christopher T. Bounds. Selecting Worship Songs: A Guide for Leaders. Marion, IN: Triangle Publishing, 2011.

Davis, John Jefferson. Worship and the Reality of God: An Evangelical Theology of Real Presence. Downers Grove: Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2010.

DWS 703: The Christian Year: Forming Congregational Spirituality
Dan Sharp

Bradshaw, Paul F. and Maxwell E. Johnson. The Origins of Feasts, Fasts and Seasons in Early Christianity. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 2011.

DWS 704: The Sacred Actions and Ministries of Christian Worship
Donna Hawk-Reinhard

Augustine of Hippo, Homily 272.
http://www.earlychurchtexts.com/public/augustine_sermon_272_eucharist.htm

DeSilva, David. A. Sacramental Life: Spiritual Formation Through the Book of Common Prayer. Downers Grove: Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2008

Downey, Michael. Understanding Christian Spirituality. New York: Paulist Press, 1997.

Pratt, Lonni Collins and Fr. Daniel Homan. Radical Hospitality: Benedict’s Way of Love. Second Edition. Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2011.

White, Susan. The Spirit of Worship: The Liturgical Tradition. Traditions of Christian Spirituality Series. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2000.

DWS 702P-704P: The Doctoral Practicum
Kent Walters

Brink, Emily and Paul Detterman. Wise Church: Exploring Faith and Worship with Christians Around the World. Grand Rapids: Faith Alive, 2013.

Brink, Emily and John Witvliet, eds. The Worship Sourcebook, 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2013.

Wells, Samuel and Abigail Kocher. Shaping the Prayers of the People: The Art of Intercession. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2014.

Waltke, Bruce K. and James M. Houston. The Psalms as Christian Lament: A Historical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2014.

Waltke, Bruce K. and James M. Houston. The Psalms as Christian Worship: A Historical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2010.

Witvliet, John D., Martin Tel, and Joyce Borger. Psalms for All Seasons: A Complete Psalter for Worship. Grand Rapids, Mich: Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, 2012.

DWS 801: The Doctoral Thesis
Vaughn CroweTipton

Bradshaw, Paul. The Search for the Origins of Christian Worship: Sources and Methods for the Study of Early Liturgy. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.

Dunn, James D.G. Did the Early Christians Worship Jesus?: The New Testament Evidence. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2010.

Cooke, Bernard and Gary Macy. Christian Symbol and Ritual: An Introduction. New York: Oxford, 2005.

Ramshaw, Gail. Christian Worship: 100,000 Sundays of Symbols and Rituals. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2009.

 

About the author

Alumni Director, Practicum Professor, and DWS graduate.

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