Liturgy as Experience - the Psychology of Worship. A Theoretical and Empirical Lacuna
Owe Wikström
Scripta Instituti Donneriani Aboensis January 16, 2019 DOI: 10.30674/scripta.67207 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Christianity Ritual Liturgy Psychology and religion Worship |
| Key points | Proposes that a psychology-of-religion approach can help identify which liturgical factors strengthen religious experience during church services. |
Abstract
This article has three aims: 1) to plead for an approach to the study of the liturgy based on the psychology of religion, 2) to draw up a preliminary theoretical model for how the liturgy can be interpreted, and 3) to narrow down the field for further interdisciplinary development and empirical analysis. People undergo more or less strong experiences during and in conjunction with church services. Perhaps people are moved, experience holiness, reverence, fellowship or closeness to the risen Christ. The problem is what factors during the service strengthen such a religious experience. What is the role played by the music, symbols, the place or building where the service is held, the number of participants and the liturgical event?