Liturgy lures us through our senses, grounds us in a great tradition, and plants us in the midst of a diverse community, present and past.
From our beginnings, Americans have tried on various religions, rituals, and philosophies in the quest for a unique and personal spirituality. But recently, we have seen a quiet and steadily growing fascination with orthodoxy, tradition, and the lasting rituals of the Christian faith. Are you attracted to liturgy but don't know why? Are you wondering about committing yourselves to a liturgical tradition? Are you immersed in liturgy and want to grasp its deeper significance? Beyond Smells and Bells answers these questions and more: It explains how liturgy not only broadens our understanding but also shapes our very lives.
In today's individualistic culture, we need liturgy to establish us in community. In a culture that values spontaneity, liturgy grounds us in something enduring. In a culture that assumes truth is a product of the mind, liturgy helps us experience truth in both mind and body. In a world demanding instant gratification and immediate relevance, liturgy gives us patience to perceive a deeper relevance and joy that the larger culture can hardly perceive. In Mark Galli's able telling, liturgy is an intriguing story, full of mystery, that transforms us in body, mind, and spirit.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Clear and Relevant Guide to the Importance of Liturgical Worship:
Beyond Bells and Smells is a short, passionate book about the impact of Christian liturgy upon our coming ino a relationship with God. Through liturgy we transcend the cognative into the mystery of knowing God. Galli gives practical personal examples that communicate the significance of worshiping through the use of liturgy. He makes clear that we are not lone-ranger Christians but are called to be transformed within a Christian community. For those who are unfamiliar with litugical worship or for those who... more info
Putting your toe in the church again:
This is a good book for new or returning Christians to a liturgical tradition. Despite the title, it isn't about what happens in church, the liturgy, rather it invites the reader to reflect on the true meaning of worship.
Liturgy Impresses, the Personality of Christ Upon Us:
Mark Galli goes beyond the externals of liturgy, which in themselves are impressive, to the heart of the reason for liturgy. In the continued worship style debates contemporary worship is seen as being a genuine expression of "our" feelings toward God, however Galli brings out that the primary purpose of the church's heritage of 2000 years of worship was to impress the Personality of Christ upon us. And secondly, through the liturgy, the Holy Spirit brings us not only communion with Christ, but forms us... more info
Outstanding:
Beyond Bells and Smells is a breath of fresh air. As pastor of a very liturgical Presbyterian congregation I welcomed this book with much enthusiasm. Indeed, when a person leaves a liturgical service they are never, ever the same. I am sharing this book with a number of my friends.Mark Galli has done us all a great favor.
