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Review Summary: Good Orthodoxy, Good Christianity |
Date: 2008-10-28 |
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Details: "The Orthodox Way" is an outstanding introduction to the theology of the Orthodox Church. It is written in a very readable but intelligent style by a leading author and bishop of the Orthodox Church, Bishop Kallistos Ware. He sets forth and explains, patiently and in language that everyone can understand, the basic and advanced points of Orthodox beliefs. He also, in doing so, shares the Orthodox mindset: a mindset that is mystical, traditional and apophatic. (Apophaticism is an attitude of being content to let some mysteries about God to remain mysteries.) In brief, this book summarizes the understanding that is behind Orthodox spirituality (theosis).
"The Orthodox Way" is also good general Christianity. Over 90% of the contents apply to all Christians. That is because the topics are the basic stuff of Christianity: God, the Trinity, Christ, our lives in Christ.
The point of view is apostolic. It looks at the faith as something taught by Christ, given to the apostles, and handed down since then. It is the same faith but with more and more richness of wisdom and understanding added over the ages.
It is also Trinitarian. A traditional Orthodox prayer goes: "The Father is my hope. The Son is my refuge. The Holy Spirit is my protection. Oh Most Holy Trinity, glory unto You!" This book explains what that means, as much as it can be explained in words, in a way that everyone can understand ... and live.
It thereby answers the question, "Yes we are saved; now what?" It looks to God's invitation to grow ever more freely from the image of God and into the likeness of God, in Christ, through the Holy Spirit. It is not a book of devotional practices or social justice plans -- which are appropriate in their place. Instead, this book starts the process of deeper Christian living by looking more deeply at Who is calling us and asking us to become more like Christ.
Hence, this book is also a very good introduction to the Holy Spirit. Unlike what most people in the West are used to hearing, the Holy Spirit is not a kind of divine by-product of the Father and the Son; and He is not just a source of charismatic gifts and worship. The Holy Spirit is a distinct Person of the Trinity; He is God; and He is everywhere present and filling all things: connecting and conforming and perfecting all in Christ. That kind of mindset leads to a holy and pragmatic Christian spirituality, without recourse to New Age or East Asian spiritualities as supplements.
Throughout the book, there are plenty of quotes from the Scriptures as well as from saints and general authors, both from the Christian West and the Christian East. The breadth of content and perspectives, plus the depth of the traditional teachings of the Church, plus the accessible writing style that does not dumb-down the content, altogether make this a very good book for any Christian or seeker to read.
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Review Summary: Helped me learn about Orthodoxy |
Date: 2008-05-14 |
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Details: This book by Bishop KALLISTOS was instrumental in bringing me to the Orthodox faith. He explains, in a clear, very C.S. Lewis-like way, who God is and what it means to know and love God. He explains what it means to be an Orthodox Christian. His love for God and the church is infectious and resonates on every page. His gentleness is apparent. Anyone who wants to know God should read this book. Anyone who wants to be a Christian the way Jesus intended should read this book, for it is true to the ancient faith and the church started by Jesus, and continued by the Apostles, in the book of Acts. (The ancient church is preserved in Eastern Orthodoxy.) I highly recommend this book and KALLISTOS' "The Orthodox Church." These two books together will change your life and your faith. |
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Review Summary: Great companion to The Orthodox Church... |
Date: 2007-10-01 |
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Details: New to the Faith like me? Interested in the Orthodox Faith? Check this book out, along with The Orthodox Church also by Bishop Kallistos. This will clarify even more about the Orthodox Faith than his previous book already accomplished. A must-have for your Orthodoxy library collection. |
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Review Summary: Get your highlighters out! |
Date: 2007-04-23 |
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Details: I couldn't pull myself away from it! I think I read every chapter at least twice! I got my highlighters out and I was sold by the end of the book! Call it faith, call it inspiration, I'm just calling it the way. Born & raised Roman Catholic, I can't put my finger on what moved me to orthodoxy, but I know that this book had something to do with it.
If anyone out there's looking for "good books on orthodoxy" I might want to recommend "Beginning to Pray", "Mary the Birthgiver of God", "The Meaning of Suffering", "God's Revelation to the Human Heart", and "Turning the Heart to God". But don't take my word for it, do ask an orthodox clergy member too!
Christ is risen! |
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Review Summary: Great for seekers! |
Date: 2006-05-29 |
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Details: This is one of Bishop Ware's best! It is a great intro to Orthodox Theology. However, do not expect to find much history or ritual details. It is mainly an introduction, and touches on the fundamentals. Being an ex-Vineyard Church youth pastor, I especially liked his spiritual approach to theology, which seems to have been lost by most western theologians. I found myself in tears and full of the holy spirit reading this book! It's a must read! -Yes, I am an Orthodox convert. |
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out of 32 Reviews
