The Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Its History, Doctrine, and Spiritual Culture

Abstract

This is an unparalleled introduction to the Orthodox Church. Comprehensive in its scope, surveying the history and present state of the Church, it is also bold and fresh in its presentation of Orthodox theology and yet, or rather thus, truly traditional. Fr. John McGuckins inspired and challenging vision of Orthodoxy reveals a Church entering upon a new spring, ready to address the concerns of the modern world, intellectually, politically, and socially, grounded in Gods philanthropy for all his creation. John Behr, St. Vladimirs Orthodox Theological Seminary Fr. John McGuckin has succeeded here in an almost impossible task: to offer us a concise, evocative, sympathetic, yet historically sophisticated portrait of the history, faith, and practice of the Orthodox Churches in one highly readable, constantly informative volume. Poet and scholar as he is, McGuckin writes gracefully and engagingly, yet with a theological and spiritual depth that invites all of us to reflect more deeply on what is most fundamental to the Christian faith. The book seems bound to become a classic. Brian E. Daley, SJ, University of Notre Dame This volume will be the classical introduction to Orthodoxy at least for most of this century. McGuckin is, in an ascending and unifying order, scholar and poet, convert and Romanian Orthodox priest. The books content is clearly set in a twenty-first century context, while being deeply scriptural, patristic and byzantine. The aroma of Orthodoxy wafts through its pages. It serves as the gateway to this Christian community for outsiders and insiders alike, because it is faithful and insight-filled while also ancient and up to date. Frederick W. Norris, Emmanuel School of Religion

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