Post by Soulfyre on Jan 19, 2005 13:14:40 GMT -5
The Orthodox Church, by Timothy Ware, is perhaps one of the best books written to describe Orthodox Christianity to the Western mind. His approach is one that could well be a pattern for other writers, for the first half of his book gives a brief history of the development of Orthodox Christianity beginning with the book of Acts. Needless to say, he, of necessity, touches lightly on many issues and events concerning which individual volumes have been written. And his viewpoint, although very even-handed, is unalterably from an Orthodox perspective. Nevertheless, the history provides a context within which an understanding of some very basic tenets of Orthodox belief may be formed.
Timothy Ware, now Bishop Kallistos Ware, would not presume to say that his book is exhaustive or finally authoritative. Orthodox Christianity is much more similar to Rabbinic Judaism in its richness of contemplative tradition. Orthodox belief is not captured in a systematized manner, but is found within the living tradition of the Orthodox Church, including the writings of the Church Fathers and Orthodox theologians, and the liturgical practice of the church. This is not to say that some issues (such as those determined by the seven councils) are not accepted as dogma, but that there is a certain flexibility of understanding in many areas. This undoubtedly is related to their "apophatic" approach to theology, in which they emphasize that the "otherness" of God expressed in His infinity and what many refer to as His "omni-" attributes makes it impossible for the human mind to fully describe Him or "contain" His ways within an overly mechanical or scholastic approach to doctrine.
While there are many books written concerning Orthodox Christianity, I would recommend anyone unfamiliar with the Orthodox Church starting with this book. You will find its winsome presentation of Orthodoxy a good read that challenges your thinking--and your living!
God bless you with an ever growing understanding of Him in His Triune glory, may you be filled by His Holy Spirit with His unexpressable love to live a life of joyful obedience to our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ...
Matthew (soulfyre)
Timothy Ware, now Bishop Kallistos Ware, would not presume to say that his book is exhaustive or finally authoritative. Orthodox Christianity is much more similar to Rabbinic Judaism in its richness of contemplative tradition. Orthodox belief is not captured in a systematized manner, but is found within the living tradition of the Orthodox Church, including the writings of the Church Fathers and Orthodox theologians, and the liturgical practice of the church. This is not to say that some issues (such as those determined by the seven councils) are not accepted as dogma, but that there is a certain flexibility of understanding in many areas. This undoubtedly is related to their "apophatic" approach to theology, in which they emphasize that the "otherness" of God expressed in His infinity and what many refer to as His "omni-" attributes makes it impossible for the human mind to fully describe Him or "contain" His ways within an overly mechanical or scholastic approach to doctrine.
While there are many books written concerning Orthodox Christianity, I would recommend anyone unfamiliar with the Orthodox Church starting with this book. You will find its winsome presentation of Orthodoxy a good read that challenges your thinking--and your living!
God bless you with an ever growing understanding of Him in His Triune glory, may you be filled by His Holy Spirit with His unexpressable love to live a life of joyful obedience to our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ...
Matthew (soulfyre)