The Orthodox Way

"The Orthodox Way," by Bishop Kallistos Ware is the second most frequently recommended book on Eastern Orthodoxy in the English language to date, and the top book specifically on Orthodox Christian spirituality. (The number one book on Orthodoxy is his classic work, "The Orthodox Church," published under his given name, Timothy Ware.I first read an earlier edition of "The Orthodox Way" many years ago as an Evangelical Christian, shortly after I began looking into the Orthodox Church. At that time it communicated to me that something profoundly spiritual was going on in this church of "smells and bells," robes and formal liturgical worship. It introduced me to the mystery of God, and made me realize that it was important to spend less energy talking about and trying to understand God, and to spend more time getting to know him in prayer. This is where I first encountered the idea that theology in the strict sense of the word is "the contemplation of God himself."It was this book that explained the importance of the Trinity, not only as part of the Nicene Creed, but that God has been Trinity since before the book of Genesis, and a proper understanding of him will drive how we commune with him. My first reading introduced me to new terms and concepts: apophatic approach (saying what God is not rather than what he is), apatheia (dispassion), passion (any disordered appetite or longing that takes possession of the soul), nous (spiritual intellect), nepsis (watchfulness, sobriety and wakefulness), theosis (deified, or "christified," or "made sharers of the divine nature" [2 Peter 1:4]), and the difference between the "essence" and "energies" of God.Now, seven years after I began "checking out" the Orthodox Church, and four years after coming home to Orthodoxy, I found myself rereading this volume (revised edition) and discovering how much went right over my head. This time I paid closer attention to the many quotes from liturgical texts, Church Fathers, saints, mystics, monks, historians and theologians. It made me appreciate how much Bishop Kallistos is writing from a rich tradition, that has become my tradition, and how that this Orthodox way, is The Spiritual Way. For fear that this last statement may sound sectarian, it should be noted that this volume has been endorsed by a number leaders and authors outside of the Eastern Orthodox tradition.God wants all to come to know him, and this volume can introduce the reader to a Way that is well mapped out, but sadly, not often traveled. May God grant me the ability follow this way more closely.On a closing note, at the time I write this review, Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" is in the theaters, and causing many to discuss the significance of Jesus' death on the cross. "The Orthodox Way" has perhaps the best brief summary of what Jesus accomplished by his passion and death on the cross, not to mention his birth, life, teachings and resurrection, which are all part of the story.

I first read this book five years ago, and I still remember how uplifting it was. I'd always experienced theology as an intellectual struggle, but this book showed me that theology can be a deep, existential experience of God. As it did so, I saw clearly why Orthodox Christianity does not suffer from the theological diseases of the West. Of course, they have their own problems, but theology isn't one of them. In short, this book revolutionized my view and experience of Christianity. Amazingly perhaps, it's had this effect on other people as well.Let me describe some other similar books, to help you find what you're looking for. Ware's book "The Orthodox Church" introduces Orthodoxy to a Western audience, briefly covering history and some of the more common misunderstandings Westerners have. Though a little dry, it's most people's first book on Orthodoxy. Another very good book by the same author is "The Inner Kingdom," a collection of essays on various topics. In it, he doesn't cover the fundamentals of Orthodoxy, but he addresses many issues (such as environmentalism, death, confession and so on) in greater depth. And perhaps the best book on Orthodox theology is Olivier Clement's "Roots of Christian Mysticism," which makes the heart and depth of ancient Christian tradition accessible to modern readers. Hopefully one of these books is what you're looking for!(p.s. In case you are wondering, I am not Orthodox.)

Orthodoxy can be a difficult subject for Protestants and Catholics to understand. This is due to the Western, compared to the Eastern approach in viewing Christianity. While the west generally likes things in neat rational-concrete catagories, the east is generally able to except the mystery of God and focus their efforts in that area.Bishop Kallistos Ware, a Protestant Convert to Orthodxy, has written this book in a very easy-to-read style. He writes concisely (maybe at times to concise) which does not overburden the average Western reader. I would have personnaly like a little more in-depth analysis in certain areas, but this was not his purpose. It has caused me to study some ideas even more and I think that may have been the purpose. To give a clear meaning aboutthis cherished religion, and for those who desire further study, to do so.All the chapters are well written: God as Trinity, creation, man, spirit, prayer, and eternity. At times trying to understand the view point may be difficult, but this is due to a cultural make-up in approaching philosophy and theology. An outstanding text.

In this luminous volume, theology is made to sing!The Orthodox monk-bishop Kallistos Ware has given us a lovely gift, scholarly and accessible, inviting us to the loftiest of heights. God is explored under the various aspects of Mystery, Trinity, Creator, Man, Spirit, Prayer, and Eternity. Voices are summoned from the distant past and from the immediate present, from West and East; a truly "catholic" book, an inspiration, yes; but more, a re-vivification for those sensibilities that might be slumbering under the deadness of custom. "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light" (Ephesians 5.14). Bishop Kallistos gives us an Orthodoxy that is receptive to other traditions, but mutely and benignly aware of its own excellence. He gives us a picture of the Invisible God, Who is the Source and Summit of all love, beauty, mercy, goodness, purity and truth. This is not the offering of a modish "personality" here to give us an absolution from every challenge, nor is it the hectoring of some reactionary suspicious of every vicissitude; no, this is a book of light and of life.We cannot think of a reason why any reader would not be grateful for the incalculably precious blessing that is THE ORTHODOX WAY.

Bishop KALLISTOS (Ware), famous for his companion volume "The Orthodox Church", presents in this offering a comprehensive approach to Orthodox spirituality. While "Church" deals with the history, organization, structure and basic theology of the Orthodox Church, "Way" is concerned exclusively on the Orthodox spiritual life -- the Orthodox "way" of spirituality. Having said that, since Orthodox theology is in its essence mystical and closely related to spirituality, KALLISTOS' book covers much spiritual theology from the Orthodox perspective. This is not a complicated treatise for experts, but a readable, usable guide for everyone wishing to uncover the incomparable glories of Orthodox spirituality. A tremendous guide to Orthodoxy "from the inside out".