Comments on: Orthodox Reading http://larison.org/2007/11/27/orthodox-reading/ n. the principle of good order "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:14:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Daniel Larison http://larison.org/2007/11/27/orthodox-reading/#comment-8193 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:05:28 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/11/27/orthodox-reading/#comment-8193 I'd be glad to help. Orthodoxy is a generally acceptable term to refer to the Church and her teachings together, or you can simply refer to the Orthodox Church. There are many local churches, but, as our friend Khomyakov would say, the Church is one. As an introduction, Timothy (Bishop Kallistos) Ware's The Orthodox Church is still probably the best widely-available guide to Orthodox Church history and teaching in English; he also wrote The Orthodox Way, which is not bad. I have heard some good things about Daniel Clendenin's introductory works on Orthodoxy. As I understand it, Clendenin writes from the perspective of a respectful outside observer trying to explain the ways of the Orthodox to Protestants. If you want some more theologically intense overviews, Meyendorff's Byzantine Theology is a decent starting-place. It is technical and academic, but quite readable if that's what you're looking for. Lossky's In The Image and Likeness of God is also pretty accessible. For a straight, detailed historical narrative of some of the Church's history, J.M. Hussey's old The Orthodox Church in the Byzantine Empire is still a good choice. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press has also been putting together an excellent "Church in History" series that has prominent Orthodox academics writing on different periods of Orthodox Church history. Meyendorff's Imperial Unity on the post-Chalcedonian period is very good. I would say start with Ware and then move on to the others if you have an interest. You can find it in most bookstores or readily order it, and it isn't more than 250 pages as I recall. I’d be glad to help. Orthodoxy is a generally acceptable term to refer to the Church and her teachings together, or you can simply refer to the Orthodox Church. There are many local churches, but, as our friend Khomyakov would say, the Church is one. As an introduction, Timothy (Bishop Kallistos) Ware’s The Orthodox Church is still probably the best widely-available guide to Orthodox Church history and teaching in English; he also wrote The Orthodox Way, which is not bad. I have heard some good things about Daniel Clendenin’s introductory works on Orthodoxy. As I understand it, Clendenin writes from the perspective of a respectful outside observer trying to explain the ways of the Orthodox to Protestants.

If you want some more theologically intense overviews, Meyendorff’s Byzantine Theology is a decent starting-place. It is technical and academic, but quite readable if that’s what you’re looking for. Lossky’s In The Image and Likeness of God is also pretty accessible. For a straight, detailed historical narrative of some of the Church’s history, J.M. Hussey’s old The Orthodox Church in the Byzantine Empire is still a good choice. St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press has also been putting together an excellent “Church in History” series that has prominent Orthodox academics writing on different periods of Orthodox Church history. Meyendorff’s Imperial Unity on the post-Chalcedonian period is very good.

I would say start with Ware and then move on to the others if you have an interest. You can find it in most bookstores or readily order it, and it isn’t more than 250 pages as I recall.

]]> by: John42 http://larison.org/2007/11/27/orthodox-reading/#comment-8187 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 03:03:36 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/11/27/orthodox-reading/#comment-8187 What is a good book that gives a general overview of (the Orthodox churches? Orthodoxy? I don't even know how you're supposed to refer to Orthodoxy as a whole) - for someone like me who doesn't have any theological training? After reading your blog for almost two years I am curious to find out more. What is a good book that gives a general overview of (the Orthodox churches? Orthodoxy? I don’t even know how you’re supposed to refer to Orthodoxy as a whole) - for someone like me who doesn’t have any theological training?
After reading your blog for almost two years I am curious to find out more.

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