Book of Common Prayer and Liturgics (MC609) Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Jacksonville Summer 2018: May 25-26, June 8-9, August 17-18 Instructors: Justin S. Holcomb E-mail: jholcomb@gordonconwell.edu COURSE DESCRIPTION The purpose of this course is to equip students with knowledge of the theology, history and practices of Christian liturgy, with a particular focus on the Anglican tradition, and to assist in their formation as liturgical leaders who are both knowledgeable and capable. The course begins with a theology of worship and then emergence of the Book of Common Prayer. It covers the basics of liturgics and liturgical theology of Anglicanism in history and present practice. Participants will increase their vocabulary in Anglican worship and understand the theology of The Book of Common Prayer. COURSE OBJECTIVES Students will: trace the biblical and historical roots of liturgical practice attend to the central matters of the assembly: gathering, word, sacrament, sending examine the theology and role of the sacraments of baptism and eucharist practice preparing and leading worship toward greater participation of all worshippers use the prayer book and other resources in the planning and leading of worship in an Anglica parish understand the vocabulary of Anglican worship reflect on their theological, liturgical, and devotional commitments and practices ASSIGNED READING Required Books The Book of Common Prayer (Church Hymnal Corp, 1979) Or Texts for Common Prayer (http://anglicanchurch.net/?/main/texts_for_common_prayer). Nathan Jennings, Liturgy and Theology: Economy and Reality (Cascade, 2017) Marion J. Hatchett, Commentary on the American Prayer Book (HarperOne, 1995) Dennis G. Michno, A Priest s Handbook: The Ceremonies of the Church (Morehouse Publishing, 1998) 1
Alexander Schmemann, For the Life of the World (St. Vladimir s Seminary Press, 2010) Lionel L. Mitchell, Praying Shapes Believing: A Theological Commentary on the Book of Common Prayer (Morehouse Pub, 1991) Ashley Null, Divine Allurement: Cranmer s Comfortable Words (Latimer Trust, 2014) John Wall, A Dictionary for Episcopalians (Cowley Publications, 2000) Required Chapters and Articles Geoffrey Wainwright Christian Worship: Scriptural Basis and Theological Frame in Geoffrey Wainright and Karen B. Westerfield, ed., The Oxford History of Christian Worship (Oxford University Press, 2006) C. FitzSimons Allison, Another Anglican View in To Be a Priest: Perspectives on Vocation and Ordination, edited by Robert E. Terwilliger and Urban T. Holmes III (Seabury Press, 1975) (electronic version provided) Marion J. Hatchett, Prayer Books in The Study of Anglicanism edited by Stephen Sykes, John Booty, and Jonathan Knight (SPCK1988) (electronic version provided) R. R. Reno, The Daily Office in In the Ruins of the Church: Sustaining Faith in an Age of Diminished Christianity (Brazos press, 2002) (electronic version provided) William H. Willimon, The Pastor as Priest: The Leadership of Worship and The Priest as Pastor: Worship as the Content and Context of Pastoral Care in Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry (Abingdon press, 2016) (electronic version provided) R. T. Beckwith, Thomas Cranmer and the Prayer Book and The Prayer Book after Cranmer in The Study of Liturgy, eds., Cheslyn Jones, Geoffrey Wainwright, Edward Yarnold, and Paul Bradshaw J. D. C. Fischer, Initiation: Lutheran, Anglican, and Reformed Rites in The Study of Liturgy, eds., Cheslyn Jones, Geoffrey Wainwright, Edward Yarnold, and Paul Bradshaw R. T. Beckwith, The Anglican Eucharist: From the Reformation to the Restoration in The Study of Liturgy, eds., Cheslyn Jones, Geoffrey Wainwright, Edward Yarnold, and Paul Bradshaw Alan Dunstan, The Eucharist in Anglicanism after 1662 in The Study of Liturgy, eds., Cheslyn Jones, Geoffrey Wainwright, Edward Yarnold, and Paul Bradshaw G. J Cuming, The Office in the Anglican Communion in The Study of Liturgy, eds., Cheslyn Jones, Geoffrey Wainwright, Edward Yarnold, and Paul Bradshaw Paul F. M. Zahl, Bible-Based Verticality in Exploring the Worship Spectrum, eds., Paul E. Engle and Paul A. Basden 2
Required On-line Readings and Video The Living Church s Necessary or Expedient? teaching series explores prayer book revision: http://livingchurch.org/covenant/category/necessary-or-expedient/ Andrew Pearson, Anglican Identity and Common Prayer : http://livingchurch.org/covenant/2016/09/26/anglican-identity-and-common-prayer/ Conformity, Liturgy, and Doctrine: 3 Responses to Pearson s Anglican Identity and Common Prayer : http://livingchurch.org/covenant/2016/09/30/conformity-liturgy-and-doctrine-3-responses-topearsons-anglican-identity-and-common-prayer/ Watch the conversation between Walt Knowles and Nathan Jennings about liturgy and theology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmvdtx4_0gy&feature=youtu.be Readings that could be helpful (but NOT required) Ashley Null, Thomas Cranmer s Theology of the Heart, Trinity Journal for Theology & Ministry, Fall 2007 Vol. 1 (electronic version provided) Ashley Null, Thomas Cranmer and the Anglican Way of Reading of Scripture, Anglican and Episcopal History 75 (2006), 488-526 (electronic version provided) Ashley Null, Where There is Love : Cranmer s Vision of Holy Communion, Trinity Journal for Theology and Ministry, 104-125 (electronic version provided) Charles Hefling and Cynthia Shattuck, ed., The Oxford Guide to the Book of Common Prayer: A Worldwide Survey (Oxford University Press, 2006) Cheslyn Jones, Geofffrey Wainright, Edward Yarnold, and Paul Bradshaw, eds., The Study of Liturgy (Oxford University Press, 1992) Byron D. Stuhlman, Prayer Book Rubrics Expanded (Church Pub, 2000) David A. DeSilva, Sacramental Life: Spiritual Formation Through the Book of Common Prayer (InterVarsity Press 2008) Lionel L. Mitchell, Pastoral and Occasional Liturgies (Cowley Pub 1998) Howard E. Galley, The Ceremonies of the Eucharist (Cowley Pub 1989) Dennis G. Michno, A Manual for Acolytes: The Duties of the Server at Liturgical Celebrations (Morehouse 1981) 3
COURSE OUTLINE (this outline is likely to change but provides a general sense of the flow of the course) I. Leading Liturgy and Worship II. The Church Year Church year: Feasts and Advent as example. III. Worship, mission, and joy IV. History and Development of Prayer Books V. Baptism VI. Office VI. Confirmation VII. Eucharist VIII. Rites of Penitential IX. Weddings and Funerals X. Practicum COURSE ASSIGNMENTS (All assignments are due August 31 at 1pm) 1. Research Paper (1,500 words): This assignment is meant to allow students to explore a topic of interest more deeply. A list of possible topics will be provided at the end of this syllabus. You are free to choose a topic not on the list. Use course readings as well as other sources. Be sure to use Marion J. Hatchett s Commentary on the American Prayer Book. Pick up on theological themes of the book, reflect on them, wrestle with them, explore where you find meaning. 2. Review (1,250 word) Nathan Jennings, Liturgy and Theology. Please do not summarize the book, but engage the book critically. We will discuss the guidelines for this review in class. 3. Baptism Essay You are preparing to instruct a group of parents whose children are to be baptized during a Eucharist on a day appropriate for Baptism. In an essay of about 1,500 words, provide a written teaching on the major liturgical and theological dimensions of Baptism to send to an out-of-town sponsor who cannot attend the preparation sessions. In the essay: 4
Explain how the words of the Thanksgiving over the Water inform our understanding of Baptism; Identify one of the lectionary texts for the occasion chosen and how it relates to Baptism; Describe how two or more ceremonial actions in the baptismal liturgy express our understanding of Baptism; and Identify a hymn of your choosing and how it is significant for Baptism and the Propers of the day. Explain why you chose this hymn. 4. Eucharist Essay In an essay of about 1,500 words, compare on contrast the variety of Eucharistic prayers in your denomination. 5. Visits Students will make four visits to worship services: one in your own church, two in other parishes of the same denomination, and one in a parish from another denomination. Please remember that you are more like a guest at a feast rather than a restaurant critic. The criteria for each visit is found at the end of this syllabus. GRADING SCALE Listed below are the assignments that will determine your final course grade. Research Paper 20% Book Review 20% Baptism Essay 20% Eucharist Essay 20% Visits 20% A (97-100), A- (94-96), B+ (91-93), B (88-90), B- (86-87), C+ (83-85), C (80-82), C- (78-79), D+ (75-77), D (72-74), D- (70-71), F (below 70) ACADEMIC STANDARDS Class attendance and participation are a central part of this course. Late papers will be graded down 33% for each 24 hours late. All written assignments should be submitted in Word. Assignments should be double spaced with 1 margins on all sides of each page, and should be printed in Times New Roman 12 point type. Assignments must be submitted electronically. Plagiarism is considered a serious breach of personal and academic integrity. It involves the use of another person s distinctive ideas or words, whether published or unpublished, and representing them as one s own instead of giving proper credit to the source. Plagiarism can also involve over dependence on other source material for the scope and substance of one s writing. Such breaches in academic standards often result in a failing grade as well as other corrective measures. 5
POSSIBLE PAPER TOPICS 1. A more in-depth analysis of any of the primary texts we have studied. 2. Explore the collects and proper prefaces and their role in worship. 3. A study of a passage of scripture that is traditionally associated with liturgical issues. 4. A study on baptismal or Eucharistic origins. 5. A study of the liturgical innovations of a given era. 6. A study of some aspect of music in the liturgy. CRITERIA FOR VISITS When you arrived for church, were there signs to assist you and were they clear? Did you receive a warm welcome? Was there a bulletin or booklet? Was the bulletin or booklet easy to follow? On entering the building, what would you say is the most important message of the liturgical space? Was there quite prayer before the liturgy, or conversation? From your seat, were you able to see and hear? Was there a choir? How would you describe them? Was there congregational singing? How strong was it? How did the space compare to what you are used to? How did the liturgy compare to what you are used to? What were the strengths of this liturgy? What were the weaknesses of this liturgy? Was there hospitality afterwards, and if so, were you invited and did you go? How did you experience 6
the hospitality? Overall, how would you describe the experience? Feel free to raise any issues you experienced in the visit but were not addressed in the questions. 7