On Liturgical Asceticism

By drawing on the Eastern Orthodox tradition of asceticism and integrating it with recent Western though on liturgy, David W. Fagerberg advances a powerful argument that asceticism is necessary for understanding liturgy as the foundation of theology. Asceticism may have been perfected in the sands of the desert, but it is demanded of every theologian and, indeed, every Christian. It grants the capacity for pondering liturgy and sharing the life of Christ. Fagerberg brings to light asceticism's essential important in liturgical theology.