Ecclesiology, the theology of the nature of the Church, has become a major focus of study since the mid-20th century. Gordon Lathrop turns his attention to ecclesiology in Holy People: A Liturgical Ecclesiology. Lathrop lays out an argument for an ecclesiology for the Church that is shaped around the shared practices of baptism, proclamation of the Word and the celebration of the Eucharist. These practice share while being presented contextually relevant liturgies share universal meaning that unites the body of Christ through their practice by the power of the Holy Spirit. Consequently, a liturgical ecclesiology has great potential for the ecumenical movement to see the foreshadowed unity present in the sacraments a reality in the life of
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A major point of contention that weakens the entirety of Lathrop 's argument is the idea that within the sacraments is the key to all unity within the body of Christ. While there is an undeniable truth to the idea that the sacraments are a call to unity there are a number of factors that are barriers to this within the Church which go unaddressed in Lathrop 's argument for unity through liturgical ecclesiology. Lathrop makes a number of assumptions in part two of his text, where he argues for unity through liturgy based on the work of various ecumenical gatherings. These assumptions are problematic in light of denominational divisions within the …show more content…
Lathrop is effective in his arguments for the formational possibilities for the Church and the assembly based around a liturugical ecclesiology. This text is especially effective as a call to a liturgy that shapes the assembly as God 's holy people that are sent into the world to share the truth of the Gospel. When the Church gathers around the deep meaning of the proclamation of the Word and the practice of the sacraments the life of the church is given shape, meaning and mission to be in relationship with God and ambassadors of the Gospel to the world. The body of Christ must pay attention to the Lathrop 's important work as it seeks to understand the complexities of ecclessiology in light of God 's mission for the
A major point of contention that weakens the entirety of Lathrop 's argument is the idea that within the sacraments is the key to all unity within the body of Christ. While there is an undeniable truth to the idea that the sacraments are a call to unity there are a number of factors that are barriers to this within the Church which go unaddressed in Lathrop 's argument for unity through liturgical ecclesiology. Lathrop makes a number of assumptions in part two of his text, where he argues for unity through liturgy based on the work of various ecumenical gatherings. These assumptions are problematic in light of denominational divisions within the …show more content…
Lathrop is effective in his arguments for the formational possibilities for the Church and the assembly based around a liturugical ecclesiology. This text is especially effective as a call to a liturgy that shapes the assembly as God 's holy people that are sent into the world to share the truth of the Gospel. When the Church gathers around the deep meaning of the proclamation of the Word and the practice of the sacraments the life of the church is given shape, meaning and mission to be in relationship with God and ambassadors of the Gospel to the world. The body of Christ must pay attention to the Lathrop 's important work as it seeks to understand the complexities of ecclessiology in light of God 's mission for the