Liturgy, Theurgy, and Active Participation

“The metaphysics of participation, rooted in Christian Platonism, claims that creation exists not in itself, but by receiving a share in the divine life. Kjetil Kringlebotten argues that participation is fundamentally liturgical. It finds its source and end in Christ, the master theurgist. Christ calls down the Holy Spirit to gather all people to Himself, that we might rise with Him in glory. This is a bold and inspiring contribution to theological and liturgical scholarship.”


—Simon Oliver, professor of divinity, Durham University





“Kjetil Kringlebotten works skillfully between doctrine, history, prayer and worship, and the life of the church, all with an infectious enthusiasm. His book is wonderfully ecumenical and, indeed, also an excellent example of one of the church’s first, crucial interfaith exchanges with Neoplatonism. I heartily recommend Liturgy, Theurgy, and Active Participation to anyone wanting to explore the relation between liturgy and philosophical theology.”


—Andrew Davison, Starbridge associate professor in theology and natural sciences, University of Cambridge





“This is a striking, important, and original book. It makes the case that the liturgy is a divine work and not a human action. ‘Participation’ in the liturgy should be construed as a participation in the divine work, rather than in a more sociological and congregational sense of ‘being practically involved.’ This leads to an understanding of metaphysics as the original source of practices. The thesis of the book is bold and distinctive and is presented with great clarity and charity.”


—Christopher Insole, professor of philosophical theology and ethics, Durham University