Zwischen Tradition und Innovation: Lukas von Prag als liturgischer Theologe der Böhmischen Brüder

Abstract

The article is concerned with the significance of Luke of Prague (1460–1528), a theologian and a bishop of the Unity of the Czech Brethren, for the development of the liturgy in his church. It explores the theological presuppositions of his liturgical reform, its particular components, and the characteristics of his liturgical theology in his voluminous work Zprávy kněžské (Instructions for Priests), printed in 1527. It argues that the Brethren’s liturgy, inspired by the liturgy of radical Hussites (Taborites), cannot be conceived as a simple negation of the Roman Catholic and Utraquist liturgical traditions but that it mediated between tradition and innovation. The desire to become a part of the true church of Christ led the Brethren not only to the intensive study of Scripture, the Apostles’ Creed, and the tradition of the ancient church but also to an intense communal liturgical life. Luke’s theological reflection on worship was thus influenced by the deeply felt communal experience of believers, as they listened to the Word of God, confessed their faith at a baptism, and received the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper sub utraque specie. At the center of his liturgical theology we find the idea of the new covenant between God and man, which impacts the shape of almost all sacramental liturgies in Zprávy kněžské. bei Johannes Augusta“, in: Anna Vind, Hg., The Church at the Time of Reformation (Refo500 Academic Studies), Göttingen [im Druck]; Dies., „Lekcionář Jana Augusty a jeho role v bratrském sporu o perikopy“, in: Listy filologické 135 (2012/3–4), 333–365.