living renewal: studies in liturgy, number, and john’s gospel (1925-1982)

＂From it’s very beginning, Christianity not only had the ’message’ but, in the sacrament, an experience of the ’essence.’ Christianity lived for some time without the New Testament, which first had to be written. But it never lived without the Eucharist.＂ --Rudolf Frieling

Building on his existing works of contemporary Christian research, Living Renewal gathers Rudolf Frieling’s previously untranslated articles and essays on the nature and practice of Christian worship and the mysteries of John’s Gospel. Harvested from his entire career, the collection begins with an early piece entitled ＂The Destruction of the Temple and the End of the World,＂ followed by dozens of studies, gathered under the headings: ＂Sacred Playing＂; ＂Prayer and the Renewed Sacrament＂; ＂Sacred Number in John’s Gospel＂; ＂Studies on the Mass＂; and ＂Contributions on the Epistles (Seasonal Prayers).＂ Frieling’s writings are complemented with essays by Friedrich Rittelmeyer and Hermann Beckh--both close colleagues--and appreciations from fellow theologians.

This original publication--essential reading for anyone interested in modern theology--is a welcome addition to literature of The Christian Community.