The practical worship theology of Robert E. Webber

This thesis defends the hypothesis that Robert E. Webber’s special contribution to the field of worship studies is his development of a practical worship theology for American evangelicals that centers on Christological proclamation and participation through the integration of traditional liturgical practices and contemporary forms. The claim of the thesis is that Webber’s practical worship theology is his attempt to guide a “liturgical recapitulation” of American evangelical worship via four key principles. First, Webber emphasizes the recovery of liturgical practices and principles from the early centuries of the church, seeking to root worship in common historic patterns (historic-rootedness). Second, Webber focuses on embedding God’s narrative in American evangelical worship, ensuring that all aspects of worship are Christocentric (narrative quality). Third, Webber advocates for the active participation of the congregation in worship, implementing liturgical practices contextually to foster a deeper connection to Christ and to one another (participatory engagement). Fourth, Webber seeks to recalibrate the experiential dynamic of evangelical worship, orienting it as a transformative encounter with Christ’s life, death, and resurrection (evangelical experience). All these principles converge around a Christus Victor motif that emphasizes Christ’s triumph over sin and death, underscoring for Webber the redemptive and transformative power of worship that centers on the risen Christ. Webber thus dedicates his practical worship theology to preserving Christological content and praxis in worship to inspire American evangelicals to adopt practices that evoke congregational participation in proclaiming and enacting the story of Jesus. His goal not only is to provide a guide to evangelicals for planning Christ-centered worship but also to develop good worshipers.