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an architecture of immanenceSeries: Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Liturgical Studies Series
Mark A. Torgerson

Eerdmans. 2007

$24.00 Paperback

ISBN: 978-0-8028-3209-2

Kort resensie deur Coenie Burger

Hierdie boek is seker tans die beste, toeganklike, publikasie wat beskikbaar is oor kerkargitektuur. Torgenson kom uit die evangeliese tradisie (Evangelical Covenant Church),maar die boek dek ‘n baie wye, ekumeniese spektrum van denke oor liturgie en liturgiese ruimtes. Hy gee aandag aan al die belangrike lyne: wat die skrif oor dié saak leer; wat ons uit die geskiedenis kan leer; resente neigings in die teologie en erediensviering; moderne neiging in argitektuur, ens. Hy het twee hoofstukke waarin hy kyk na interessante nuwe voorbeelde van kerkgeboue – in verskillende style! – in Europa en die VSA. Hy eindig met twee opsommende hoofstukke: “Where are we now?” (oor wat ons tot hier toe geleer het) en “Where can we go?” (rigtings vir die toekoms).


 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 Sövik. 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. (Eerdmans website)