Pentecostal Liturgical Theology - (T&t Clark Systematic Pentecostal and Charismatic Theology) by Monte Lee Rice (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Foremost is this book's committed theology of Pentecostal meaning-full worship. Through the lens of liturgy as a cosmic gift economy, Lee shows how Pentecostal meaning-full worship frees people into a cosmic liturgy that wills humanity to Pentecost. Through engaging Ricoeurean/Aristotelian narrative theory, this eye-opening work climaxes with a briefly constructed Pentecostal theology of the altar. It shows how Pentecostal meaning-full worship fosters moral formation as worshippers place themselves on the altar of sacrifice, becoming priestly partners with God; fuelling the gift economy that flourishes his household, till all creation be willed to Pentecost"--

Book Synopsis

This book explores how Pentecostal meaning-full worship frees people into a cosmic liturgy that wills humanity to Pentecost. A liturgical turn has marked recent Pentecostal studies, producing a growing body of liturgical theologies. This cutting edge work analyses four theologians at its forefront: Tanya Riches, Daniela Augustine, Chris E.W. Green, and Wolfgang Vondey. It does so through a "liturgy as primary theology" approach, which defines liturgy as "the church at prayer". Here, Rice shows how Pentecostal experience clarifies liturgy as the church at prayer on the altar.

Drawing from critical discourse analysis, continental philosophy, and Aristotelian wisdom, this incisive book proceeds by narrating a healing soteriology that makes humanity willed to the common good signified by Pentecost. Working from Walter Hollenweger's insights on the ecumenical promise of Pentecostal liturgy, Rice identifies inclusivity, liberative spirituality, Majority World epistemology, gift-sharing community, and scholarly re-oralization as apt benchmarks for Pentecostal liturgical theology. This inclusive multi-faceted form reveals how Occidental voices dominate the Pentecostal discourse, yet conversely offers augmenting pathways toward a more globally representative theology, summoning the Pentecostal academy to the altar.

The foremost pathway this book presents is its theology of Pentecostal meaning-full worship. Through the lens of liturgy as a cosmic gift economy, Rice shows how Pentecostal meaning-full worship frees people into a cosmic liturgy that wills humanity to Pentecost. Through engaging Ricoeurean/Aristotelian narrative theory, this eye-opening work thus climaxes with a briefly constructed Pentecostal theology of the altar. It shows how Pentecostal meaning-full worship fosters moral formation as worshippers place themselves on the altar of sacrifice, becoming priestly partners with God; fuelling the gift economy that flourishes his household, till all creation be willed to Pentecost.

Review Quotes

Rice makes a convincing case for Liturgical theology as the new frontier of Pentecostal thought. He offers us a compelling vision of ecclesial practices as inviting an increasingly inclusive community of the Spirit to "will itself to Pentecost." This is an exciting read, creative and filled with insight.
Frank D. Macchia, Vanguard University, USA and Bangor University, UK

This is a Pentecostal critical theology at its best, opening up new vistas of thought and situating Pentecostal liturgical theology as vocationally empowering both to people worshiping at the altar and those studying what happens at the worship altar in Pentecostal assemblies. Dr. Rice in this book offers the global Pentecostal academy a succinct, searing, sustained, and incisive inquiry into the nature and logics of Pentecostal liturgical theology.
Nimi Wariboko, Boston University, USA

About the Author

Monte Lee Rice is a pastor and theological educator in Singapore, Southeast Asia. He has served within both the Assemblies of God and Anglican traditions, including several years of missionary service in West and East Africa. He received his PhD (2024) from Asia Pacific Theological Seminary, Baguio, Philippines. In Singapore he has taught at Asia Theological Centre and ACTS College.