Story-Shaped Worship - by Robbie F Castleman (Paperback)

About the Book

In Story-Shaped Worship Robbie Castleman attempts nothing less than to uncover the fundamental shape of worship. Right worship doesn't require a traditionalist return to earlier forms of church, she argues, but a fresh response to God in light of the revealed patterns of worship we find in the Bible and church history.

Book Synopsis

What is the right way to worship?Right worship does not require a return to the identical forms found in the early church or later in Rome or after that in Westminster. What it calls for is a faithful response today to the God of our salvation in light of those biblically ordered and historically informed patterns.In this study Robbie Castleman uncovers the fundamental shape of worship. What she finds--outlined in Scripture, enacted in Israel, refocused in the New Testament community, guarded by the apostolic fathers, and recovered in the Reformation--is a grand narrative of redemption offering order and meaning to all worshiping communities down to the present day.

Review Quotes

"Castleman clearly joins her voice to those of others who are pointing toward the need for biblical and confessional renewal in worship settings where contemporary evangelical influence pervades. All those with a passion for biblical teaching and liturgical formation will find much on offer in her work."

--Andrew M. McCoy, Christian Scholar's Review, Summer 2014

"If I had to choose just one to recommend, I would choose Castleman's book for its balance of scholarship and accessibility and its consistency in application of the underlying philosophy to issues such as musical form in worship."

--Scott Aniol, Artistic Theologian, "Gospel-Shaped Worship: A Review of Recent Literature", 2 (2013)

"In Story-Shaped Worship Robbie 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's Story-Shaped Worship skillfully 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

About the Author

Robbie F. Castleman is associate professor of biblical studies and theology at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She previously served for several years as a staff member with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.