RT Article
T1 Liturgy and drama: a context of catharsis and transcendence?
JF International journal for the study of the Christian church
VO 17
IS 2
SP 93
OP 106
A1 Bundock, Edward
LA English
YR 2017
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1639508198
AB This article is concerned with the role of liturgy and drama in the life of the Church and especially with regard to church growth. The assumption that traditional liturgy has only a tangential role in mission is questioned by comparing liturgy and drama and their role in evangelism. Christian worship from the fourth century began to be dramatised; this was a process reinforced by allegorical interpretations of the liturgy. That development and the para-liturgical dramas created from the tenth century onwards were in response to evangelistic needs. Mystery plays, the Holy Week liturgy and popular devotion in medieval Christianity in the West tended to focus on the passion of Christ. They were like tragedy in creating an encounter with death which could lead to catharsis and self-transcendence. Parts of the Holy Week liturgy are looked at in that light. The final section of the article deals with the way the liturgy offers an opportunity for corporate and personal renewal both in terms of inward preparation and outward proclamation of the Easter mystery. In these ways liturgy offers a context for an experience of God and can be seen as having an important role to play in church growth.
K1 dramatic dimension of liturgy
K1 Eucharist as dramatic action
K1 ‘Fresh Expressions’
K1 Liturgy and church growth
K1 liturgy and worship
K1 Mystery Plays