Christian Art in the Place and in the Form of Lutheran Worship

Book excerpt: This unique volume offers a handbook for busy pastor, student or interested layperson to better understand the use of Christian art and the history of its use in Lutheranism since the time of the Reformation. The author states in the introduction to the book: "The Lutheran Church was never an enemy of the art, neither the fine arts nor industrialized arts. . . . The Lutheran Church, to confess its faith did not hesitate to enlist the aid of pure and beautiful art forms, not only in the harmonies of poetry and music, but also in archictecture, sculpture, painting, bronze work, wood-carving, and embroidery." This book concerns itself chiefly with church architecture, but necessarily also discusses the place of the fine arts in the construction and use of spaces consecrated to the worship of the One True God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, where God's people are gathered to receive His gifts of grace and mercy through His Holy Word and the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.