Explore how the Revised Common Lectionary enriches worship How does this contemporary lectionary nourish Christian faith and life? Further, why does the lectionary employ metaphor, the richest form of language, in the midst of the worshiping assembly? How do the biblical readings prepare worshippers for the church's mission? Well-known liturgist and author Gail Ramshaw opens up the logic and purpose of this widely used resource. The basics of Episcopal and Anglican worship in North America are explored in this Little Books series, which invites parishioners and newcomers to consider both the beauty of worship and Episcopal ethical commitments.

With over twenty years in the classroom, Gail Ramshaw frames this new introduction to Christianity survey text around the basic questions students ask. Taking a broad social-scientific approach and integrating historical context, she anchors each chapter in phenomenological theory and teases out the answers to each chapters question by surveying the history, doctrine, practices, and convictions of Christianity.Written for students with little to no background in Christianity, the book contains student-friendly learning helps including chapter summaries, photos and charts, "I am a Christian" statements that illustrate the diversity of practice and belief, study questions, suggestions for further exploration in both books and film, a glossary, and an index. What is Christianity? is a great addition to any serious students collection of books about Christianity.

Liturgical language" denotes those words used by Christians in their communal praise and prayer. Liturgical language is often metaphoric, as metaphors help us explain the unexplainable they help the human mind contemplate the divine. Problems with liturgical language occur when these metaphors exclude some Christians when their aim should instead be to bring all Christians into communion with God. Recognizing that both metaphoric and inclusive language are necessary in Christian worship, Ramshaw clarifies how these need not be contradictory criteria for forming liturgical language.

Through a review of the history of language, Ramshaw illustrates the difficulties of forming texts from words that have undergone numerous translations and whose primary meanings have also changed throughout the centuries. An examination of trends in generic American English, the vernacular on which liturgical texts are to be built, reveals two tasks for liturgists: the arduous work of retranslating liturgical texts and the creative work of crafting intercessions, hymns, and homilies that are inclusive in language. Her discussion of symbolic imagery and theological language illustrates how essential it is that words be evaluated and chosen with understanding and care.

Ramshaw writes for those who find beauty and truth in metaphor and for those who strive to invite everyone to the Eucharistic banquet. She encourages all who formulate liturgical language to contemplate with seriousness and Vision the ultimate objective of this language so that it can speak with meaning and beauty to all."

The debate about God-language has two opposing extremes. One side maintains that biblical language and masculine pronouns must be retained. The other argues that female imagery for God is preferable. Now Gail Ramshaw presents a third position, urging the inclusion of many images for God, the correction of others, and the total avoidance of any pronouns.

The increasing desire among Christians to pray in inclusive language has resulted in the publication of this inclusive language psalter. The editors have selected the 1979 "Book of Common Prayer" as the basis for their psalter. Techniques for changing al the non-inclusive language to inclusive language were carefully wrought and judiciously applied, in keeping with common sense, biblical scholarship, and the ancient Hebrew liturgical principle that holds in high respect the majesty of God's name.

Every effort has been made to render the lines in a flowing, euphonious manner, well phrased for chanting. Since different communions practice variant methods of chanting, this volume includes an essay which offers instruction in four methods of pointing these psalms.

Fifty liturgical scholars - Roman Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran - have authored these intercessory prayers for each Sunday of the three-year cycle to expand the resources available to local pastors. The authors have been guided by the traditional pattern of prayers of the faithful. al language is inclusive.