Richard Kieckhefer
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- July 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780195154665
- eISBN:
- 9780199835676
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0195154665.003.0005
- Subject:
- Religion, Theology
A church that is rich in symbolic associations conveys a strong sense of sacrality—the presence of the holy within the sacred. Different forms of symbolic association in the classic sacramental ...
More
A church that is rich in symbolic associations conveys a strong sense of sacrality—the presence of the holy within the sacred. Different forms of symbolic association in the classic sacramental tradition are discussed in connection with Santa Maria Novella at Florence. Orientation (planning a church with the altar at the east end), legends of foundation, and ceremonies of consecration are all seen as ways of cultivating symbolic resonance. The “Cathedral of Huts” at Maciene in Mozambique is seen as one example of how churches reflect a process of indigenization in Africa.Less
A church that is rich in symbolic associations conveys a strong sense of sacrality—the presence of the holy within the sacred. Different forms of symbolic association in the classic sacramental tradition are discussed in connection with Santa Maria Novella at Florence. Orientation (planning a church with the altar at the east end), legends of foundation, and ceremonies of consecration are all seen as ways of cultivating symbolic resonance. The “Cathedral of Huts” at Maciene in Mozambique is seen as one example of how churches reflect a process of indigenization in Africa.
Richard Kieckhefer
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- July 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780195154665
- eISBN:
- 9780199835676
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0195154665.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Theology
Four questions can be asked appropriately about any church. First, what are its spatial dynamics and how do they promote the dynamism of worship? Second, what (if anything) is the centering focus ...
More
Four questions can be asked appropriately about any church. First, what are its spatial dynamics and how do they promote the dynamism of worship? Second, what (if anything) is the centering focus that clarifies what is most important to worship? Third, what aesthetic impact is the building meant to promote? Fourth, in what way does the building convey a sense of symbolic resonance, linking the immediate experience of the worshiper with the broader experience of this community and of the Church through history? These matters are all approached differently in different traditions of church-building. A “classic sacramental church” uses longitudinal space to promote the kinetic dynamism of processions, has an altar as its centering focus, is designed to create a sense of interplay between the immanence of God and the transcendence of ordinary experience, and is rich in symbolic resonance. A “classic evangelical” church uses some form of auditorium space to promote the verbal dynamism of proclamation and response, has a pulpit as its centering focus, is designed as a dignified space for edification, and is economical in its symbolic resonance. A “modern communal” church juxtaposes a gathering space and a worship space so people may be formed as a community before acting as a worshiping community, takes the congregation itself as the focus of attention, is designed to promote a sense of hospitality, and tends toward moderation in symbolic resonance.Less
Four questions can be asked appropriately about any church. First, what are its spatial dynamics and how do they promote the dynamism of worship? Second, what (if anything) is the centering focus that clarifies what is most important to worship? Third, what aesthetic impact is the building meant to promote? Fourth, in what way does the building convey a sense of symbolic resonance, linking the immediate experience of the worshiper with the broader experience of this community and of the Church through history? These matters are all approached differently in different traditions of church-building. A “classic sacramental church” uses longitudinal space to promote the kinetic dynamism of processions, has an altar as its centering focus, is designed to create a sense of interplay between the immanence of God and the transcendence of ordinary experience, and is rich in symbolic resonance. A “classic evangelical” church uses some form of auditorium space to promote the verbal dynamism of proclamation and response, has a pulpit as its centering focus, is designed as a dignified space for edification, and is economical in its symbolic resonance. A “modern communal” church juxtaposes a gathering space and a worship space so people may be formed as a community before acting as a worshiping community, takes the congregation itself as the focus of attention, is designed to promote a sense of hospitality, and tends toward moderation in symbolic resonance.
Richard Kieckhefer
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- July 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780195154665
- eISBN:
- 9780199835676
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0195154665.003.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, Theology
The basic categories of analysis (spatial dynamics, centering focus, aesthetic impact, and symbolic resonance) and the traditions of church-building (classic sacramental churches, classic evangelical ...
More
The basic categories of analysis (spatial dynamics, centering focus, aesthetic impact, and symbolic resonance) and the traditions of church-building (classic sacramental churches, classic evangelical churches, and modern communal churches) are explained here. The first main argument of the book is that classic sacramental churches have the density of poetry and thus require interpretation, while the other traditions have the familiarity of prose and are more easily understood. The second main argument is that sacrality may be grounded not in separation (from the profane) but rather in association (with the narratives and experiences most significant to a religious tradition).Less
The basic categories of analysis (spatial dynamics, centering focus, aesthetic impact, and symbolic resonance) and the traditions of church-building (classic sacramental churches, classic evangelical churches, and modern communal churches) are explained here. The first main argument of the book is that classic sacramental churches have the density of poetry and thus require interpretation, while the other traditions have the familiarity of prose and are more easily understood. The second main argument is that sacrality may be grounded not in separation (from the profane) but rather in association (with the narratives and experiences most significant to a religious tradition).
