Liturgy & Tradition: Theological Reflections of Alexander Schmemann

In many ways this is a "reflective" follow-up to Schmemann's *Introduction to Liturgical Theology.* While a series of essays the book revolves around the theme that the experience of the church is primarily given in the liturgeia--the lex orandi (55). The thesis itself is fairly straightfoward, but Schmemann gets himself in trouble (maybe) in his theological and liturgical critiques. He suggests, that for all the rich and theologically correct symbolism of Byzantine liturgy, that much of the symbolism is additions. But whether is right or wrong, the book stands on its own. Liturgy is not a data for theology, but its source. Amen, indeed. Our worship determines our theology. Like many of his books, Schmemann gives us rich meditations on the Eucharist. This is where Schmemann's writing can stop the Earth in its orbit. The Eucharist is a passage leading the church into heaven--really real heaven--where we perceive the eternal light, feast upon and feast with Christ--and are transformed (interestingly, Fr Schmemann asks both his Catholic and Protestant friends on debates on the real presence--what kind of "presence," and presence, isn't real? A fruitless debate, indeed). The wholistic emphasis in his "Theological Critique of Liturgy" and "Liturgical Critique of Theology," while at times confusing, encourage the theologian not to isolate theology into different data and disciplines. This guts theology of its power. This is also the main point of contention in the beginning of the book. Schmemann gives an adequate response, I suppose. The book is not perfect, however. Many paragraphs are almost word-for-word repetitions from earlier in the book (I suppose in a book like this it is unavoidable). Also, the debates in the beginning of the book, while invaluable in showing potential weaknesses in Schmemann's thought, aren't necessary to the book and can be skipped.

Over 20 years ago, I was studying the theological writings of a young Presbyterian writer. That man recommended Fr. Schmemann's 'For the Life of the World.' I read the book, and it changed my life. What better recommendation can one give to a writer? I am not Eastern Orthodox, and I am not Russian. But the truly ecumenical nature of Fr. Schmemann's work is that an American Lutheran layman like myself can grow, be challenged by, and profit from this man's writings. 'Liturgy and Tradition' is a collection of essays by (and several about) Fr. Schmemann and his work studying the nature of the church's liturgy and how our faith and theology grow from that liturgy. Published after Schmemann's untimely death in 1983, several of the essays here are slightly fragmentary, but the book is worthwhile and thought-provoking. The book challenges the way most of us do theology, since we start with theoretical constructs and work toward the liturgy. Schmemann suggests that we would better work from the liturgy, and let our theology grow from that. I don't always think he's right, but one can't walk away from his work without being provoked to think through our conceptions of the church and God's word. I'd also encourage (in conjunction with this book) reading Schmemann's 'Introduction to Liturgical Theology,' which helps to flesh out and explain some of the material here.

Father Schmemann was one of those extraordinary theologions who delved into the heart of the matter. His strength in theological reflections is in the liturgy and editor Thomas Fisch nicely gathers the right material for this expose on Father Schmemanns thoughts on the Eucharists in particular and the liturgy in general. The introduction is written by Fisch and concisely puts into perspective Fr. Schmemann's work on this topic. The next couple of essay is by Bernard Botte, O.S.B. and W. Grisrooke who are essentially debating Fr. Schmemann on the "Role of Liturgical Theology" and liturgical reform in particular. Fr. Schmemann's response is nicely argued. The chapter "Liturgy and Theology" is a wonderful section on returning the liturguy to its theology. In Eastern Orthodoxy, there are not endless amounts of separating important ideas, but instead, a life of intergration of the entire Christian expierence and liturgy is theology. "Theology and Eucharist" is also an outstanding chapter that speaks about the Church and the Eucharists as "a passage, a procession leading the Church into heaven into her fulfillment as the Kingdom of God" (p. 82)This is a must read for anyone interested in sacramental theology and Eastern Orthodoxy.