In this book Mark Torgerson shows how modern architecture has heavily influenced the construction of new sacred spaces, producing a new way of building that emphasizes God's coming near to us. Torgerson begins by discussing God's transcendence and immanence and showing how church architecture has traditionally interpreted these key concepts. He then traces the theological roots of immanence's priority from liberal theology and liturgical innovation to modern architecture. Next, Torgerson illustrates this new architecture of immanence through particular practitioners, focusing especially on the work of theologically savvy architect Edward Anders Sovik. Finally, he addresses the future of church architecture as congregations are buffeted by the twin forces of liturgical change and postmodernism. An Architecture of Immanence will interest architects, liturgists, and all Christians who seek to read the sacred spaces of the recent past. The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Liturgical Studies series is designed to promote reflection on the history, theology, and practice of Christian worship and to stimulate worship renewal in Christian congregations. Written by pastoral worship leaders from diverse communities and scholars from a range of disciplines, these volumes seek to nurture worship practices that are at once spiritually vital and theologically rooted. Mark A. Torgerson is associate professor of worship arts at Judson College, Elgin, Illinois. An ordained minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church, he has a lifelong interest in the concept of sacred space. |
