00#15: Are Orthodox Books Always Orthodox?

Vladika Lazar answers this question in the ongoing series on Orthodoxy and the Baptist Church.

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[MrGriegos]

Many Orthodox Books attempt to explain Orthodoxy, while others attempt to address issues through Orthodox perspectives, and ultimately these are just individual points of view that try their best to adhere to Orthodoxy but this is hard.

Orthodoxy is universal (Catholic) but some people are sensitive to where this universalism is taken.

Of course there are people who misguide others using the label "Orthodox" but there are those who simply misapply their knowledge. We are only human.

[allsaintsmonastery]

In a democratic society, we do not wish to repress the rights of people to express themselves. What we do need is to have some discernment. We cannot just repeat things written in the 5th or 19th centuries in a radically different era. Even if "there is nothing new under the sun," there are different methods of carrying out the same errors and sins. From swords to nuclear bombs is a big leap and needs new perspectives. We also gain better understandings of many matters and need to express these.

[zaaz369]

Your Eminence, how do you feel about the book "The Orthodox Way" by Bishop Kallistos Ware. This is my first Orthodox book . Any advise for a new Orthodox? Can you recommend any other books? Thank you

[allsaintsmonastery]

I would have suggested Ware's THE ORTHODOX CHURCH first. After that, Romanides ON THE ANCESTRAL SIN, together with Kalomiros, THE RIVER OF FIRE.Finally, Azkoul, ONCE DELIVERED. After those, you will be more ready for anything, and more able to judge for yourself about other books. I will also be forward enough to recommend my on commentary on Matthew's Gospel, NOT BY BREAD ALONE.

[legiunea5]

are you of romanian descent ?

[allsaintsmonastery]

@Un2Agesofages Hopefully someone will look out for the "gender inclusive" renditions and corruptions of service and liturgy books.

[leboharold]

@allsaintsmonastery Would you also suggest, The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church by Vladimir Lossky

[blackbette07]

Thank you for these posts. I was a Protestant, but I left because too many Protestant churches teach the prosperity gospel in one form or another. It bought me to despair. I am converting to Orthodoxy after over a year of attending Orthodox churches

[MrGriegos]

I cant help but think of the "Orthodox Study Bible" from Nelson Bible Publications. This Bible includes views within the footnotes that may be seen as less than Orthodox (e.g. female deacons)

It also includes the Comma Johanneum introduced in 1611.

In the end, the label "Orthodox" misleads people to believe that Orthodoxy is being presented.

As long as we have people available to remind us and caution us, we should be fine.

Thank you and in Christ, God bless you good elder Lazar:)

[jesujoyofmansdesirin]

I dont know your background, but coming from a Southern Protestant one, Clark Charleton is amazing

[pedelcosa]

As a recent convert, I understand the important issue the Archbishop raise and echoed by bakagainjin30.

Peace

[gCuezy]

You mentioned sending "the river of fire" and "on the ancestral sin" to anyone interested. I am a soon-to-be convert to Orthodoxy and I recently purchased The Orthodox Church, The Orthodox Way, The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and a book about the liturgy.

I'd be interested if you could possibly send me any of the books you listed (as I have none of the rest).

It's very important to me that I get a correct understanding and foundation of Orthodox theology and thinking.