The Gnostalgia Podcast

Liturgy as Sacred Magic w/ Dr Joseph Shaw

Feb 24, 2025
Join Dr. Joseph Shaw, Chairman of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales and an expert in Christian liturgy, as he delves into the mystical connections between ancient theurgy and contemporary worship. He explores the role of children in liturgy and critiques modern religious education for overlooking its transformative power. The conversation also highlights the impact of historical reforms on liturgical practices and the importance of hidden desires in faith. Shaw advocates for an experiential understanding of Christian belief beyond mere rationality.
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ANECDOTE

Football and Liturgy

  • A Presbyterian minister observed that men who enjoy football take their children to matches.
  • He advocated for similar involvement in liturgy, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences.
INSIGHT

The Mysterious in Liturgy

  • Liturgists often downplay the supernatural while neglecting psychological and sociological insights.
  • They miss the appeal of mystery and shared experience present in activities like reading fairy tales to children.
INSIGHT

Fairy Tales and Liturgy

  • Fairy tales offer children a worldview of a battle between good and evil forces attached to people and objects.
  • Liturgy similarly presents sacred actions as participation in God’s work against opposing forces.
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