Renewal Worship - (Dynamics of Christian Worship) by Steven Félix-Jäger (Paperback)

About the Book

Theologian Steven Félix-Jäger offers a theology of renewal worship, including its biblical foundations, how its global nature is expressed in particular localities, and how charismatic worship shapes the community of faith. With this guidance, the whole church might better understand what it means to pray, "Come, Holy Spirit!"

Book Synopsis

Theologian Steven Félix-Jäger offers a theology of renewal worship, including its biblical foundations, how its global nature is expressed in particular localities, and how charismatic worship shapes the community of faith. With this guidance, the whole church might better understand what it means to pray, "Come, Holy Spirit!"

Review Quotes

"Renewal Worship claims that worship is the measure of all things in the church. And renewal worship is the revolutionary power of Spirit-empowered Christianity. Félix-Jäger in this book crafts an innovative hermeneutics of worship that brilliantly theologizes both the abstract, universal dimension of worship and its concrete, particular nature as a contextualized social activity. The result is an original, incisive, and concise theology of worship constructed not only for Pentecostals but also for the whole body of Christ."

"Renewal Worship is a welcome addition to renewal studies by providing language categories-in short, a theology-for what people of the Spirit come to do so intuitively. At the same time, intuition can be shaped in different directions; therefore, this book can serve a larger purpose of providing not only a theology of renewal worship but also a logic that can keep it attuned to its character and aims. Pastors and worship leaders can especially benefit from its proposals."

"Astutely descriptive and helpfully prescriptive, Steven Félix-Jäger creatively weaves a theologically rich tapestry enabling the reader to hear and understand the distinct dynamic of renewal worship. This is a significant contribution to Pentecostal-charismatic worship and theological studies, for it reveals the very heart of the existence of renewal traditions-worship. Highly Recommended!"

"I've often advised my tribes with these words: 'Every great worship leader needs at least one Pentecostal friend.' Why? Because without the Pentecostal witness, the rest of us would flame out. Make no mistake, though. This is a work of liturgical theology-a discerning of biblical truth from (rather than merely onto) the worship experience. We were due for a fresh, accessible theology of worship, and here we have it-clear, humble, passionate, generous, informed, up to date, and yes, full of the Spirit."

"In this innovative study, Steven Félix-Jäger explores global Pentecostal and renewalist aesthetics in accessible, insightful ways. With an artist's attention to detail and beauty, Félix-Jäger analyzes a movement on the rise for the benefit of those inside and outside its porous boundaries."

"Steven Félix-Jäger has a word for those who think worship is just about moving through ritual or getting their spiritual tank refilled! Deploying a generous view of worship and Pentecostalism that makes room for Christians who harken from all theological traditions to find themselves in his writing, Félix-Jäger reminds us that it is uniquely in worship that we most immediately experience God's overflowing salvation. Through music, testimonies, and other acts of worship, we discern the power of the Spirit, are formed into the likeness of Christ, and are reconciled to the Father as one holy people. We are then sent forth as prophetic messengers to carry this message of hope to others and plant new worshiping communities throughout the world. Biblically grounded, doxologically shaped, carefully argued in conversation with a wide range of scholars, and thoughtfully engaged with the lived experience of Christians, Renewal Worship situates the practice of renewal worship at the heart of the Christian life."

"Steven Félix-Jäger is the right person to provide a Pentecostal perspective to this important Dynamics of Christian Worship series at this time. He masterfully brings the nascent scholarship in Pentecostal worship into dialogue with the main lines of worship studies and theologies of worship, while bridging these theoretical frames with contemporary praise culture and practices. This book is the perfect springboard not only for next steps in Pentecostal theologies of worship for the diversity of world Christian movements, but also for all who seek to worship God in spirit and in truth."

"Steven Félix-Jäger's book is a penetratingly insightful theology of Pentecostal worship that focuses on Christ's abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the human participation in the divine life that it invites and enables. His insights and theological method have broad ecumenical relevance. This was a truly delightful read for me."

"Studies on Pentecostal worship have been mostly descriptive, from a social science perspective, or critical. Steven Félix-Jäger's is a rare exception by offering a constructive theology of Pentecostal worship. It argues that Pentecostal worship is the response to the distinctive way in which God reveals himself in Pentecostal experience. For anyone seeking to understand why Pentecostals worship the way they do, I cannot think of a better book to recommend."

"There is a need for good, scholarly work that assesses both the theological foundations and the Pentecostal character of contemporary worship. Renewal Worship meets this need. Through his study of the Pentecostal movement and its impact on the contemporary worship culture, Steven Félix-Jäger sets forth a charismatic vision for the contemporary church and gives scholars a multitude of research trails to follow."

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