A few weeks ago I was introduced to Father Philip from The Parish of All Saints in Lincolnshire, a priest of the Orthodox Church. Never have I been in the presence of so gentle and humble a Christian minister and rarely have I been so deeply affected by the experience of visiting a church. It was, however, upon his recommendation that I picked up and read Timothy Ware’s book, “The Orthodox Church”.
I was seeking a good general introduction to the Orthodox Church. I wanted to understand more fully the expression of Christianity that Orthodoxy presents. This book was an excellent starting point.
“From The Horse’s Mouth”
First of all it is vital to understand that the vast majority of textbooks handling the Orthodox Church from outside of the East are wrong about most things. Timothy Ware is also known as Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia. In other words, the author is writing from within the tradition of Orthodoxy for the general reader. This makes it, truly, a “straight from the horse’s mouth” account of things Orthodox.
Endorsed the local Orthodox priest, I am sure you can agree with me that this is useful stuff.
So… if you want to know more, drop all the Western texts and grab this inexpensive little book.
A Good Summary Of Christian History
…plus a summary that is written from the point of view of Eastern Christendom. This makes for interesting reading!
Ok, so on the surface of things, Christian history may not sound terribly interesting to many people. Yet, certainly if you pretend (like me) to be a Christian disciple, this stuff is really powerful and interesting. Not least, you can begin to understand the context of the schism between East and West… and see the story without the Papal-tinted glasses that most Western scholarship wears.
Covering the beginnings of the Church, the book recounts Patristic Christianity very simply before moving into the issues of the Medieval period. Of personal interest were the sections on the impact of Islam and Communism upon Orthodoxy, something which has given birth to a profound and deep respect for Russian Christians especially. The section on history comes right up to the modern period, explaining the various factions within Orthodoxy; it also begins to address the relationship of Orthodoxy to the worldwide phenomenon of Christianity.
An Introduction To Faith & Worship
If only most Christians could recount so simply and eloquently their own faith I doubt that Western Christianity would be in so poor a shape, so swept and blown by the extremism and misconceptions of modernism.
Beginning with an account of Christian beliefs concerning Tradition, God, Humankind, and the Church, the author presents a compelling summary of key doctrines of the faith. Moving from this basis, there then follows a summary of the elements of Orthodox worship, moving from the formal and church-focused practices outwards into the home, and then to private prayer.
There is much in here to both challenge and inspire the Christian, especially if you are seeking a less formulaic and more mystical experience of the Church. To be honest, there is stuff here for the non-Christian too as it goes a long way to helping Westerners, duped by the likes of Richard Dawkins and Dan Brown, to confront genuine Christian history and teaching.
What This Book Can Do For You
First of all, for anyone interested in the facts of things, this book will serve as a good and simple introduction to Christian history and doctrine. Yes, it will expose you to the key theological disputes and the heresies of the past… and that, my friend, is no bad thing. Gone are the days when it was acceptable to think of Christianity as a pure faith untainted by human corruption.
Secondly, because it is an easy and readable account, it’ll get you reading something not only factual but spiritual. I have been challenged to reconsider my view on Icons an the Jesus Prayer, for instance. There are, undoubtedly, points at which the author will challenge you… and in the nicest, most gentle manner.
Thirdly, the book will help you to see Western culture through the eyes of the Byzantium and Russian Church. This is, frankly, highly illuminating. For me it was most striking to see the Reformation and Counter-Reformation regarded as almost insignificant events from the perspective of the Eastern Church. Suffering under Islam and Communism, coming to terms with tolerance of their faith and pressure to abandon it, gives the Christian a different perspective to those of us raised to believe or question Papal authority and the role of Scripture.
All in all… well, it’s a good read!
Honestly, I’ve learned more about the Christian faith from these 300-odd pages than many other tomes. It’s worth a look.
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This review refers to:
Ware, Timothy (1997) The Orthodox Church. New Edition. Suffolk, Penguin Books.
