Dear Parish Faithful,
Our traditional Fall Adult Ed. Class will begin on Monday, November 3. This class is always comprised of six sessions. This year, we will read and discuss a fairly new publication: Introducing Eastern Orthodox Theology by Andrew Louth. Fr. Andrew is a prominent English theologian and scholar, an Orthodox Christian priest, and something of a student of Archbishop Kallistos Ware.
In my estimation this is a fine new book that has many sharp insights as Orthodoxy engages with and challenges the 21st century. Our bookstore manager, Nancy Farison, informed that we have four copies under order, and hopefully they will arrive soon. I know that we sold many copies this past summer as I had informed the parish that this would be the book of choice for this Fall. Of course, it is also available at amazon.com.
Reviews...
"Orthodox theology appears daunting at first glance, and with good reason, for terms and concepts differ from Western views in numerous and subtle ways. But in this volume Andrew Louth has opened a door into this faith that is both clear and accessible. Whether you've been Orthodox all your life, or have just begun to take an interest in Orthodoxy, this book will illumine your path."
— Frederica Mathewes-Green, author of The Jesus Prayer, Facing East and The Illumined Heart)
"This is an exceptional introduction to Orthodoxy. Instead of presenting a summary of church history, teachings and practices, Andrew Louth grounds his account of the church and her theology in the encounter with God in liturgy and prayer, expounding historical controversies and theological themes as they arise out of that encounter. The result is both personal and profound, inviting readers to explore and experience for themselves the mystery of God in Christ."
— Rev Dr. John Behr, dean and professor of patristics, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, New York
About the Author...
Andrew Louth is professor emeritus of patristic and Byzantine studies at Durham University, England, and visiting professor of Eastern Orthodox theology at the Amsterdam Centre of Eastern Orthodox Theology (ACEOT), in the Faculty of Theology, the Free University, Amsterdam. He is also a priest of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh (Moscow Patriarchate), serving the parish in Durham. His recent publications include Introducing Eastern Orthodox Theology (SPCK), Greek East and Latin West, AD 681-1071 (St Vladimir's Seminary Press), Maximus the Confessor (Routledge) and The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition (OUP).
Dear Parish Faithful,
For those who intend on participating in the Fall Adult Education Class beginning next Monday evening, here are some thoughts, suggestions and preparatory questions that will hopefully lead to some good discussions:
I would like to spend some time discussing Fr. Andrew Louth's Introduction, "Who are the Eastern Orthodox?" I find that Fr. Andrew has offered an excellent review with some solid suggestions for self-definition for the Orthodox. To this day, it is not that easy to give an on-the-spot definition/description to this question. Where to begin: History or theology? Stress the differences or stress the similarities with Roman Catholicism or Protestantism? What are Fr. Andrew's "three ways" of approaching this question?
Ch. 1 is entitled "Thinking and doing, being and praying: Where do we start?" Fr. Andrew offers the following possibility in answer to this question: "Perhaps this means that we start with God, not as knowing him, but as standing before a mystery that is, and will remain, beyond our understanding." (p. 1) Where does he seem to want to take us with that beginning insight? Why does he stress prayer throughout this opening chapter?
What is his list of approaches to "doing" theology (p. 5-6)?
On p. 8-13, Fr. Andrew discusses the Orthodox approach to the Scriptures. What are his claims here? Why does he emphasize the lectionary and the Liturgy for the Orthodox understanding of the Scriptures?
If we make it into Ch. 2, "Who is God? The doctrine of the Holy Trinity," perhaps an opening question would be: Why does Fr. Andrew begin a discussion of the Trinity with a discussion of Who is Christ? How is that a good starting point? Why are Christians who believe in the Holy Trinity monotheists? What is meant by a dogma? A bit more technically, what is meant by "apophatic" and "cataphatic" theology? Why is that distinction even important?
A further suggestion that I would make is this: If any passage - be it a sentence, a paragraph or a section - really gets your attention, as in an "aha!" experience, please share that with the group. Or, if something is puzzling, please ask for possible clarification. Our goal is an open discussion. My questions are simply meant to get such a discussion going.
Since the worship of God is so central to Fr. Andrew's approach throughout the book, we will begin the evening with Vespers at 7:00 p.m.
Looking forward to the class!
Fr. Steven
From Fr. Steven...
Our traditional Fall Adult Ed. Class will begin on Monday, November 3. This class is always comprised of six sessions. This year, we will read and discuss a fairly new publication: Introducing Eastern Orthodox Theology by Andrew Louth. Fr. Andrew is a prominent English theologian and scholar, an Orthodox Christian priest, and something of a student of Archbishop Kallistos Ware.
In my estimation this is a fine new book that has many sharp insights as Orthodoxy engages with and challenges the 21st century. Our bookstore manager, Nancy Farison, informed that we have four copies under order, and hopefully they will arrive soon. I know that we sold many copies this past summer as I had informed the parish that this would be the book of choice for this Fall. Of course, it is also available at amazon.com.
Reviews...
"Orthodox theology appears daunting at first glance, and with good reason, for terms and concepts differ from Western views in numerous and subtle ways. But in this volume Andrew Louth has opened a door into this faith that is both clear and accessible. Whether you've been Orthodox all your life, or have just begun to take an interest in Orthodoxy, this book will illumine your path."
— Frederica Mathewes-Green, author of The Jesus Prayer, Facing East and The Illumined Heart)
"This is an exceptional introduction to Orthodoxy. Instead of presenting a summary of church history, teachings and practices, Andrew Louth grounds his account of the church and her theology in the encounter with God in liturgy and prayer, expounding historical controversies and theological themes as they arise out of that encounter. The result is both personal and profound, inviting readers to explore and experience for themselves the mystery of God in Christ."
— Rev Dr. John Behr, dean and professor of patristics, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, New York
About the Author...
Andrew Louth is professor emeritus of patristic and Byzantine studies at Durham University, England, and visiting professor of Eastern Orthodox theology at the Amsterdam Centre of Eastern Orthodox Theology (ACEOT), in the Faculty of Theology, the Free University, Amsterdam. He is also a priest of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh (Moscow Patriarchate), serving the parish in Durham. His recent publications include Introducing Eastern Orthodox Theology (SPCK), Greek East and Latin West, AD 681-1071 (St Vladimir's Seminary Press), Maximus the Confessor (Routledge) and The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition (OUP).