The Ancient-Future Visionary
Selected Shorter Writings by Dr. Robert E. Webber
- Preaching & Worship
- Publisher: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2025
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Publisher's Description
Are we too comfortable with traditional forms of worship? Are these forms truly historical, or are they man-made distortions of God's prescribed ecclesial order? Do our accepted methods work against the functioning of the local church in its mission to evangelize and disciple, rather than enhance it? Join the late Dr. Robert E. Webber in this compilation of previously published articles and uncollected addresses as he discusses with characteristic humor and candor the diverse aspects of ancient and contemporary worship practices, from the church in its infancy to the advent of the contemporary "megachurch" movement. As in his many books, including Worship is a Verb and Worship: Old & New, Webber explores the attitudes and liturgies through which we approach a loving God. Webber might infuriate or delight, or both, but he always stimulates.
Endorsements (4)
“Keith Call’s judicious selection of short pieces from Robert Webber show us why this influential scholar was such a gift to evangelicalism. Webber, exploring the great tradition of the church, was like a kid let loose in a candy store. But, instead of hoarding all the delights, Webber shared them eagerly with all of us.”
“The Ancient-Future Visionary does two salutary things. First, it situates Robert Webber in his time: an evangelical who flourished in the late twentieth century—emphasis on evangelical. He was committed to the movement while prophetically nudging it to deepen its theology and practice. Second, it reminds us that his life theme—that the church’s future must be grounded in a wise appropriation of the past—is as relevant today as ever.”
“I’m not where Webber was on the spectrum of Christian theology as he was writing these energetic essays and articles. He was more ecumenical and, I have to say, more cynical—more open to non-Protestant traditions and less happy about American evangelicalism than I am. But the love for the church that suffuses these essays is stimulating, a real model. And I did agree with Webber over a great deal in this book. Webber called for Christians to see that the doctrine of the Trinity arose from the instinctive worship of early Christians who knew that a created being could not save all creation. He called for fully triune worship in which the Father is praised, the Son is proclaimed, and the Spirit gives rise to symbol. He called for church architecture to take theological shape. He called for evangelicalism to stop preaching a half gospel, which is not a gospel, of grace without judgment. I find it interesting that some of the ideas that felt radical to Webber are now not so radical at all among thoughtful evangelicals.”
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