Story-Shaped Worship: Following Patterns from the Bible and History
"Evangelicals need to recover a theology of presence in their public worship today. Robbie Castleman encourages us to do exactly that by presenting here a richly textured and nuanced study of how liturgy interacts with spiritual life, all framed in the context of how the church has remembered and recited the story of Jesus as the story of Israel's God. A book of biblical wisdom and theological depth." (Timothy George, founding dean, Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, and general editor of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture)"Robbie Castleman'sStory-Shaped Worshipskillfully places the biblical teachings on worship within the larger narrative of salvation history. It represents a valuable contribution to the resurgent evangelical interest in the theology and practice of worship. I heartily commend it to all pastors and seminarians who want to take worship to the next level of excellence." (John Jefferson Davis, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)"InStory-Shaped WorshipRobbie Castleman carefully explores the biblical basis for worship, not as something that pleases us, the worshipper, but as something meant to be pleasing to God. She then puts this in historical and practical contexts in a way that is both winsome and wise. This book is a wonderful, carefully written guide that will be helpful for worship leaders, pastors or anyone who cares about worshiping well. I'm already looking forward to working through the excellent discussion questions at the end of each chapter with other worship leaders in my church. What a great resource!" (Robert J. Keeley, professor of education, Calvin College, and author of Helping Our Children Grow in Faith)"Robbie Castleman has written a book that brings sanity to the worship wars. The sweep of her engagement with biblical and theological material is very impressive, and her conclusions are rightly challenging to all sides. The clarity of writing and the straightforward treatment make this a book that is accessible to anyone who wants to worship in ways that please God. This book deserves to be on ministers' must-read lists, on adult Sunday school curriculum and well thumbed by congregational worship committees." (Andrew Purves, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary)"Castleman's careful study of the biblical and historical patterns of worship should put to rest any doubt about the nature of Christian worship. Worship is not about meeting the needs of individuals but the reenactment of and participation in the grand story of the triune God. I strongly urge pastors and worship leaders to read this book before they attempt to revise their Sunday service." (Simon Chan, Trinity Theological College, Singapore)"Though we feel drawn by the Spirit into holy space to see and worship God, what we call worship too often reflects merely our own needs and desires. Yet how we worship God must be linked with why we worship him, the central Storyteller of all creation. A wise and deep researcher, Robbie Castleman showcases how story-shaped liturgical patterns form the seasons of the Christian year." (Luci Shaw, writer-in-residence, Regent College)"A passionate and heartfelt book, which urges that we recover a much-needed stress in worship on the narrative of salvation at the heart of the gospel. In the midst of numerous 'worship wars' we badly need books that reorient us to what really matters." (Jeremy Begbie, Duke University)