Finding
I found his chapter on Baptism particularly helpful in the way it addresses the way the Church has forgotten to keep alive the memory of Baptism for its members (perhaps particularly a problem for paedo-baptists), and also for its remedial suggestions.
Paper
Book Review: The Poetry of Prayer
Abstract
argument is an informed, critical and invigorating engagement with trends in culture and contemporary liturgical practice. I found his chapter on Baptism particularly helpful in the way it addresses the way the Church has forgotten to keep alive the memory of Baptism for its members (perhaps particularly a problem for paedo-baptists), and also for its remedial suggestions. This book will be a stimulating read for anyone responsible for planning and leading worship and from this perspective one of its most helpful features is a concluding section in which the practical implications of each chapter are summarized. The book’s economy and clarity of style also lends itself to group study. Its accessibility may mean, however, that those wanting a more sustained theological treatment of issues will be disappointed; it would have been interesting, for example, to have read more about the way the Holy Spirit is involved in the act of remembering (e.g. John 14.26). But anyone interested in the future flourishing of Christian worship ought to read this book. ‘The first step in liquidating a people is to erase its memory’ writes Atkins, quoting Milan Herbl; Atkins goes on to conclude, ‘Thus the first step in liquidating the people of God is to separate them from a living liturgy.’
Authors
Rosemary Lain-Priestley
Journal
Theology