Overview

In this book, Graham Redding provides a detailed account of prayer in the Reformed tradition, and a critical examination of its present place in the Reformed Churches. From its inception, the Christian church thought of worship and prayer in Trinitarian terms. At the heart of this Trinitarian concept, lay the doctrine of the priesthood of Christ which, in its liturgical expression, presented Christ not merely as the object of prayer, but also as its mediator: prayers were directed to the Father through Christ. The author traces the idea of the priesthood of Christ, and its effects on Christian worship and prayer, from its origins with the earliest Christians, and through the Arian and Apollinarian debates. He then focuses on the Reformed tradition and the influences of John Calvin, John Knox, John Craig, John McLeod Campbell, William Milligan, Theodore Beza, William Perkins, federal theology and the Westminster tradition, and through to the present day. This is an important history of an important doctrine, showing in a remarkable way how the doctrinal struggles within the church have been reflected in the worshipping life of the church, and how they continue to be reflected today. Redding concludes with a number of key affirmations for a Reformed understanding of prayer, and a critique of certain modern tendencies and practices in the church.

Full Product Details

9780567042415

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Reviews

"""'... an impressive piece of unified and constructive theology which will be one of the most significant books on the theology of prayer... engaging with the whole history of the Reformed tradition, its theology and liturgy.' Alan Torrance, St Andrews '... a valuable treatment of the theme of priesthood of Christ in Reformed theology and of Reformed liturgies in the light of that theology.' Douglas Murray, Glasgow 'Redding rightly restores Calvin's insistence on the mediatorial role of the humanity of Christ while, at the same time, liberating Reformed theology from the rigid structures of Calvinist orthodoxy.' Ray S. Anderson, Fuller Theological Seminary 'There is no subject more vital to the life of the Church and of the Christian, whether under the rubric of prayer or any other, than that of the priesthood of Christ.' Douglas Farrow, McGill University 'This book... should be required reading for all who lead worship in congregations and all who study worship in theological schools.' John D. Witvliet, Calvin College"""

'... an impressive piece of unified and constructive theology which will be one of the most significant books on the theology of prayer... engaging with the whole history of the Reformed tradition, its theology and liturgy.' Alan Torrance, St Andrews '... a valuable treatment of the theme of priesthood of Christ in Reformed theology and of Reformed liturgies in the light of that theology.' Douglas Murray, Glasgow 'Redding rightly restores Calvin's insistence on the mediatorial role of the humanity of Christ while, at the same time, liberating Reformed theology from the rigid structures of Calvinist orthodoxy.' Ray S. Anderson, Fuller Theological Seminary 'There is no subject more vital to the life of the Church and of the Christian, whether under the rubric of prayer or any other, than that of the priesthood of Christ.' Douglas Farrow, McGill University 'This book... should be required reading for all who lead worship in congregations and all who study worship in theological schools.' John D. Witvliet, Calvin College

Author Information

Graham Redding presently has charge of St John's in the City, Wellington, New Zealand.

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