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Introducing Eastern Orthodox Theology Kindle Edition

by Andrew Louth (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 180 ratings
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With an estimated 250 million adherents, the Orthodox Church is the second largest Christian body in the world. This absorbing account of the essential elements of Eastern Orthodox thought deals with the Trinity, Christ, sin, humanity, and creation as well as praying, icons, the sacraments and liturgy.

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  1. Print length
    193 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    IVP Academic
  5. Publication date
    October 11, 2013
  6. File size
    1675 KB
  7. Page Flip
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  8. Word Wise
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"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."

-- John Behr, dean and professor of patristics, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, New York

"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 a charming, readable and accessible book. Louth delivers with delightful clarity a genuine sense of how deep and rich are the traditional resources for thinking about aspects of Christian belief, and how the Eastern Orthodox tradition draws on the sacramental rites and regular prayer practices of generations of believers, and on the wealth of patristic philosophy."

-- Catherine Rowett, professor of philosophy, University of East Anglia

"Andrew Louth brings a lifetime of superior patristic scholarship to this volume, but casts aside all the usual academic cares to offer us a direct, personal vision of Orthodoxy as he knows and loves it. Central to the endeavor is the crucible of prayer: this is the touchstone for everything he wants to commend in the tradition he has embraced as his own."

-- Sarah Coakley, Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge

"This personal presentation draws readers into a theology earthed in material reality and informed by liturgy which reflects the worship of heaven. Introductory and readable, it is illuminating for those already acquainted with the subject, and for non-Orthodox Christians it will facilitate an encounter with the depths of this 'other' tradition from which they will return with enriched understanding of their own."

-- Frances Young, OBE, FBA, emeritus professor of theology, University of Birmingham

"Andrew Louth has produced a humane, wise and very accessible introduction to the teaching and practice of Eastern Orthodoxy. He explains difficult doctrines in such a way that they make sense, and places a particular emphasis on prayer and worship. This is a truly excellent introduction, full of memorable passages and ideal for anyone who has wondered about Orthodoxy and wishes to have its main features explained."

-- Averil Cameron, DBE, FBA, professor of Late Antique and Byzantine history, University of Oxford

Review

"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."

-- John Behr, dean and professor of patristics, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, New York

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00HUCPUTM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ IVP Academic (October 11, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 11, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1675 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 193 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 180 ratings

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Andrew Louth

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
180 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Greg
5.0 out of 5 stars Arguably the best intro available
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2020
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I read this years ago and had an opportunity to return to it again in response to a question from a friend asking for an introduction to Orthodox theology. There are many introductory books on this topic, some quite bad, some misleading and some frankly arcane. After re-reading it, the conclusion I have come to is that Louth's work is none of the above, fair, and very readable. In my opinion the best contemporary introduction to specifically Orthodox theology in the 21st century.

This is a fairly substantial accomplishment: Orthodoxy is marked by many theologies in fact, since what is dogmatic is quite limited and the Fathers of the Church were far from univocal - Louth manages to distill a common essence that is faithful to the Tradition and no rooted in controversial theologumenon (of which there are many). He also offers thoughtful commentary on how Orthodoxy relates to contemporary issues that plague segments of American protestantism such as opposition to basic science, which should certainly be a breath of fresh air for anyone caught up in the fundamentalist arguments of that world.
8 people found this helpful
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Cpustejovsky
5.0 out of 5 stars Both of these choices give readers a clearer since of what Orthodoxy is like today than other introductions I have read
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2017
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Eastern Orthodox theology is difficult to grasp because of its focus on worship and experience. You will be often told to "come and see" when you inquire about Orthodoxy. I am invited to Divine Liturgy more often than I am given a book when I ask what the Orthodox Church is about. I believe Dr. Louth does an astounding job of explaining Orthodoxy by referencing both their worship and their more recent theologians. Andrew Louth makes constant use of the prayers sung in the Divine Liturgy and cites Orthodox theologians of the last two centuries. Both of these choices give readers a clearer since of what Orthodoxy is like today than other introductions I have read. Kallistos Ware's "The Orthodox Way" lacks both of these things which makes "Introducing Eastern Orthodox Theology" a fantastic complement to that classic introduction.

If you are at all interested in this often obscure tradition, I cannot recommend Andrew Louth's book highly enough.
27 people found this helpful
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M. J. Sloan
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book to help understand what we really need to know
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2014
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clear concise explanations on basic theological beliefs on Creation, the Fall, the Trinity, Christ and so on. Even if you are not contemplating joining an Eastern Orthodox Church, you may find this theology helpful to fill in the void that so many Western Christian Churches have.
4 people found this helpful
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Grant Sowter
5.0 out of 5 stars Solid
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2021
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I was looking for an introduction to Eastern Orthodox Theology. This book served that purpose well. I will return to it often.
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Ca Tohza
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2015
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I highly recommend this must read book to catechumens, Orthodox and seekers alike. Well written and engaging, the pages fly by while profound detail unfolds in each new section. The Theology is presented clearly and orderly building in a step-by-step fashion in a rigorous, thorough - for the size of the volume - and yet accessible style. As a survey of the major theological point of Orthodoxy, the work undertakes a daunting task, but delivers such that each area is covered as to not leave the reader wanting, while proving a framework for deeper inquiry. A very good foundation and an enjoyable read.
4 people found this helpful
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Josh
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2015
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This was a beautiful journey to read through. I am currently investigating Orthodoxy because I find it so deeply in line with my own understanding and experience of Deity, the scriptures, and Church history. I've spent half a decade adrift, searching for a way in which I could moor myself in Christ, and this book has very well described some of the ways in which I, personally, have found the Orthodox Church the place where I can bring both the heart and mind into unity, in Jesus.
9 people found this helpful
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ZiggyZ
4.0 out of 5 stars Rough Sledding for an “Introduction”
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2018
I am not an Orthodox Christian (yet) but have read a great deal and have spent a lot of time worshiping in the Orthodox Church (Romanian), talking with my Orthodox clergy friends, etc over more than 20 years. I’m not an expert but am very comfortable in the Orthodox Church. This is a wonderful survey of Orthodox theology, but I don’t think it would be very accessible to a real beginning seeker. I found it highly technical and overall tough to get through. Again, a wonderful book, but I wouldn’t use it as a first “introduction.”
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Jason Hess
5.0 out of 5 stars A Guide For Your Journey
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2014
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Introducing Eastern Orthodox Theology  by Andrew Louth is an excellent resource for those new to Eastern Orthodox theology like myself, or someone who has been part of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church for many years. This book helped open my Protestant eyes to the beauty of Orthodoxy. While it's true that no book can, or should, replace the in-person experience of the Divine Liturgy, and a relationship with the parish priest, I can say that this book will at least serve as a guide to the Orthodox Church.
10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Tully
4.0 out of 5 stars Useful up to a point
Reviewed in Spain on October 6, 2017
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Interesting up to a point for anyone unacquainted with Orthodoxy. However, it really needs to be supplemented by a traditional work such as that of Metropolitan Timothy Ware. At some points, one has the impression that the author is employing homily material. On one occasion, the author raises a valid question which outsiders might ask, to which he replies it's a matter of perspective but then fails to explain what the Orthodox perspective or understanding is, so that we are none the wiser. As positive points, the Orthodox teaching on Original Sin, the mystical sense of the Liturgy, the brief review of the Church Fathers, and the clear lines drawn between Roman Catholicism (of the genuine, prescience Vat II kind) and Orthodoxy are lucidly presented.
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Nancy Yang
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Reviewed in Canada on July 27, 2014
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It is a marvelous book, deserving to be read by every Christian.
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Mr B
5.0 out of 5 stars Introducing Eastern Orthodox Theology. Louth
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2015
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I had read Louth’s ‘The origins of the Christian mystical tradition’ with a great deal of enjoyment and edification; the former was due to quality of writing, and the latter to the level of erudition presented by a patristic authority, without any fanfares, or sounds of trumpets. The same kind of quiet assurance permeates this book. He begins by defining terms, and points out that Eastern has nothing to do with the orient, but rather refers to areas east of Rome, who have developed their own orthodoxies for historical reasons, and are yet united within a particular form of Christianity. I remember visiting the beautiful Greek Orthodox cathedral in Kilburn for a wedding, contrasting it with the austerity of the (Russsian?) Orthodox church, in Kensington. The paradox is that I could feel at home in both, whereas given the pomp and Gloria in St Paul’s in London, I felt more at home in the austerity of Southwark Cathedral or the magnificent Durham. This has enabled it to meet the contingencies of time and place; be they in Poland, or Greece, or Russia, etc. by a theology which is apothatic, which is not about ‘some kind of higher way with concepts, some ultimate refinement of human conceptual theology – kataphatic theology being deployed as we handle our concepts of God like the tacking a pilot uses in sailing a boat.’ It reminded of the guidance given by St Columbo (and Columbanus), to the pre-Romanised monks who set out in their little coracles from the coasts of Ireland – a profound faith in the Mystery.

Chapter 3 looks at the doctrine of creation, and simply describes the resolution of the antimony between the belief that everything created was created out of nothing by Divine Fiat, which actually seems to be in conflict with Genesis 1 which posits, darkness, the void, and the deep. The Platonic distinction between the Unchanging and the Changing, became first the distinction between the Uncreated and the Created, and then, between the Unknowable and the Knowable. (Quite where that leaves the statement in Ecclesiasticus 1:4, is beyond our brief.) Different sections will invite further questions from different readers, but this is only an introduction and the bibliography at the end is full enough to suggest a next step. To provide a detailed overview of each of the subsequent chapters would make this review very long, because so much ground is covered with both care and concision. The remaining chapters cover not only what is in common between the East and the West, but also what is not in common, for each have their own riches. I think Andrew Louth has done a really good job, for the benefit of both eastern and western readers, and anyone who sees themselves in a different camp.
21 people found this helpful
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James Downey
5.0 out of 5 stars Really informative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 2, 2023
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Really well written so that even someone new to Orthodox theology can begin to understand and learn. Highly recommend
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Mr. P. G. Mccarthy
4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to Orthodox theology
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 3, 2014
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Well, I've really enjoyed reading Andrew Louth's little introduction. Louth is clearly quite passionate about his tradition and provides a very engaging and quite personal account. What struck me quite strongly (coming from an Anglican perspective), is just how surprising 'alien' some aspects of the tradition appear to be, especially 'Christian materialism' and the use of ikons; the use of these is justified by arguments to do with the Incarnation. The use of Scripture differs quite strongly too.

It is hard not to make comparisons. I would have thought Anglicanism more 'enlightened', but Louth is a little critical of the Western tradition; don't be too upset by that, he is bold and loves his tradition; and why not? You get a sense that this is a tradition that makes full use of ancient written sources in a way that the western churches certainly do not. The liturgy is also more fully developed, and therefore not vague. You also get a sense that this is a tradition that one can't be half hearted about; one can be a casual Anglican, but the same wouldn't apply here.

It is my guess that in the western traditions, the impact of Augustine is more strongly felt, and there is therefore more salvation anxiety (perhaps not helped by Calvin); but the Orthodox church seems to have escaped this; it is less individualistic.

But we Anglicans are keen to see our towns won for Jesus; we don't yet feel convinced that the use of ikons will have much of a role in this.
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