Models Of Liturgical Theology

In our pluralistic world, it is often necessary to consider several perspectives to gain a complete picture of a concept or object. Theology has been similarly affected by this multicultural, multidimensional approach. As this article points out, we benefit from studying many different models as we attempt to understand the theology of liturgy. We have moved beyond a theological world where we could point to a theological giant such as Barth or Tillich as the way to view our relationship with God, as Protestants tended to do. Nor is there any such thing as the catholic theology as many Roman Catholic theologians one time presupposed. This became clear when Avery Dulles wrote his foundational book, Models of the Church (1974), soon to be followed by his Models of Revelation. Sally McFague picked up the same approach in her Models of God (1987). It has been no different for liturgical theology. Since liturgical theology is part of the larger discipline of theology, it is going to tak…