The Use of the Liturgical Arts in Corporate Worship

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to offer a justification for the cost of the liturgical arts which are used in the corporate worship of our churches. The definition of “liturgical arts” in this article may be wider than that of some. Professor Tiefel includes in the definition the animate arts, that is, music, ritual, architecture, light, symbolism, modes of expression, and the like, as well as the inanimate arts, for example, the instruments for music, stained glass, artifacts of brass, silver, gold, wood, fabric and others. In short, Tiefel includes as “liturgical arts” anything which is more than the bare Word of God. Justification of one of these justifies the rest. He also defends the cost not only of purchasing these arts (the cost of money) but also of studying them (the cost of time) and of encouraging their use among God’s people (the cost of talent). Justification means to be wide enough to apply to the ministries of any of our congregations but also to point specifically to the ministry at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.