We Give Our Thanks Unto Thee: Essays in Memory of Fr. Alexander

Our review of We Give Our Thanks Unto Thee finds this essay collection most valuable for students, teachers, and clergy who study liturgy and sacramental theology. Compiled to honor Fr. Alexander Schmemann, the volume gathers thoughtful, ecumenical contributions that illuminate his continuing influence decades after his death. The single biggest reason to consider this book is its concentrated engagement with Schmemann's theological legacy, presented by a range of scholars that together make the work useful both as a classroom supplement and as a scholarly introduction in a compact, readable format.

Key Features

• Collected essays: Multiple scholars provide varied perspectives that together map the breadth of Schmemann's influence on liturgical theology.
• Ecumenical voices: Contributors come from diverse ecclesiastical backgrounds, offering dialogue across traditions and widening the book's relevance beyond one denomination.
• Accessible length: The book is organized to be usable in classroom settings and seminar discussions without requiring an extended commitment from readers.
• Scholarly contributors: Essays from recognized names such as David Fagerberg and Bruce Morrill add credibility and depth to discussions of sacramental theology.
• Introductory aim: The collection is designed to introduce Schmemann to a wider audience while pushing his ideas forward through critical engagement.

Who It's For

This volume is aimed primarily at seminarians, graduate students, and instructors teaching courses in liturgy or sacramental theology who want a focused set of essays engaging Fr. Alexander Schmemann's thought. Clergy and church leaders curious about historical and contemporary interpretations of liturgical practice will also find useful material for sermon preparation or study groups.

Readers seeking a full biography or a comprehensive single-author treatise on Schmemann should look elsewhere; this is a collected essays volume meant to probe themes and open dialogue rather than to function as an exhaustive life history or definitive systematics text.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides diverse scholarly perspectives that illuminate different aspects of Schmemann's theology.
• Useful as a teaching resource with essays suitable for course reading lists and discussion.
• Ecumenical contributors broaden the book's appeal across traditions.

Cons

• Not a comprehensive biography or single-author exposition, so readers wanting an all-in-one account may be disappointed.

Specifications

Our Verdict

We Give Our Thanks Unto Thee is a worthwhile investment for anyone teaching or studying liturgy who wants a compact, ecumenical set of scholarly essays on Fr. Alexander Schmemann. Its curated contributors and thematic focus make it good value as a classroom supplement and as a gateway to deeper study of sacramental theology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book provide an introduction to Schmemann's main ideas?
Yes. The collected essays are intended to introduce and extend Schmemann's theological themes for readers new to his work.

Is this suitable for classroom use?
Yes. The length and variety of essays make it well suited for graduate and seminary reading lists and seminar discussions.

Who are some contributors?
Contributors include scholars such as David Fagerberg, Bruce Morrill, and Joyce Zimmerman, among others.