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Title: Encountering the Mystery: Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today
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Manufacturer: Doubleday
List Price: $21.95
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| Encountering the Mystery: Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today by Doubleday Radical to Read | | As an Orthodox Christian, I found the crash course on Orthodoxy primarily for those not of the faith; a bit simplistic in explanations but a good general overall view. What is radical are his challenges to the world and his Church on equivilating environmental issues with sin. His Holiness also takes on Globalism, removing the benefits from Western eyes and placing it in terms of the entire world and how the rich nations of the West effect the rest of the world through consumerism. I dare say if Priests and Pastors in America gave a sermon on what Bartholomew has written, they would become unpopular by many for he challenges western values with regards to the impact our policies have on the rest of the world. | | Encountering the Mystery: Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today by Doubleday A Milestone in Christianity as a Major Voice Rises from the East | Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, known in some parts of the world as "the Green Patriarch" for his outspoken activism on behalf of the environment, steps up onto the world stage in a new way for Great Lent 2008. His eloquent voice is embodied in his first-ever book for a global audience, "Encountering The Mystery: Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today."
Having traveled in eastern Europe myself in 1990, as a journalist for Knight-Ridder Newspapers chronicling the tumbling of former Communist regimes, I understand that this is, indeed, a rare moment in world history. Now, nearly a decade into this new century, Orthodox leaders and congregations finally have had a good chance to develop their ministries without fear of imprisonment or, even worse -- physical violence and death. In several areas of Eastern Europe in 1990, I had a chance to meet Christian leaders emerging, scarred but hopeful, after years of imprisonment and, in some cases, torture. This journey of restoration continues to this day in many Eastern European countries.
Bartholomew himself was not threatened with imprisonment in his part of the world -- but he understands that, even though nearly two decades have passed since revolutions swept across Orthodox nations -- we still are in an age of Christian restoration in these regions.
Now, a word of warning is in order: There is a whole lot of background information that the patriarch's editors have chosen to lay before us as a kind of crash course in Orthodoxy 101, embodied in a roughly 70-page prelude that appears in the pages before Bartholomew's voice finally is able to reach its full eloquence. I suppose this was a wise choice, given that many American Christians, according to annual polls, cannot name the four gospels in the New Testament -- let alone describe the distinctions of the Christian world. So, a lengthy "Foreword," then a "Biographical Note" about Bartholomew, then Bartholomew's own summary of "Historical Perspectives" are perhaps all helpful orientations for readers.
But, the true power of this book lies deeper between these covers. It's in the way that Bartholomew knits together his Christian faith, his Orthodox tradition, his concern for the environment, his cautionary teachings about globalization -- and even his interfaith hospitality toward Jewish and Muslim communities. All of these, he tells us (once he really gets rolling in this book), are deeply rooted in the Orthodox understanding of our lives as part of a global community created by God. We are not alone -- nor are we alone with God as an isolated pair, as some spiritual seekers try to tell us today. In truth, he argues, we are part of a vast Creation, each responsible for the community that God calls us to form within that Creation.
My summary of his teachings here may sound fairly abstract. If so, it's because I'm summarizing more than 100 pages of Bartholomew's book in a few sentences.
Within the scope of his book, he moves chapter by chapter from very basic, tangible elements of daily life to the larger connections we must make in God's world. For example, there's a beautiful little passage in the book about his childhood home on the small island of Imvros off the coast of Turkey. He writes about how his mother arranged icons in one small corner of a room to connect their home spiritually with the larger sacred community.
But, as he writes about where this basic upbringing and traditional faith have taken him in his life's pilgrimage, he reaches farther and farther in making his connections.
This book would be a great choice for discussion groups, especially in non-Orthodox congregations where men and women would like to know more about their brothers and sisters from the Orthodox world. Think about including in such a class a visit to a local Orthodox church - and perhaps even sharing in a traditional liturgy to get more of a taste of this "other half" of Christendom.
If the theme of interfaith hospitality, which Bartholomew talks about in the course of this book, intrigues you -- another recent book I recommend is "Interfaith Heroes" | | Encountering the Mystery: Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today by Doubleday Product Description | As Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I is the symbol of unity for the self-governing national and ethnic Orthodox Christian churches throughout the world. He is well known for his commitment to protecting the environment, and for opening communications with other Christians (especially the Roman Catholic Church) as well as with Muslims and other religious groups.
Written with personal warmth and great erudition, ENCOUNTERING THE MYSTERY illuminates the rich culture and soul of Orthodox Christianity. Bartholomew I traces the roots of Orthodox Christianity to its founding 2000 years ago, explores its spirituality and doctrine, and explains its liturgy and art. More especially, in a unique and unprecedented way, he relates Orthodox Christianity to contemporary issues, such as freedom and human rights, social justice and globalization, as well as nationalism and war.
With a recent rebirth of Orthodox Christian churches (particularly in the former Soviet Union and elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe), there has been great interest in understanding this important branch of Christianity with its close ties to the traditions of the early Church. As USA TODAY recently reported, Orthodox Christian churches throughout the country are drawing converts attracted by the beauty of its liturgy and inspired by its enduring theology and teachings. But for the general seeker, whatever their background, ENCOUNTERING THE MYSTERY is a rich spiritual source that draws upon the wisdom of millennia. |
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