An introduction to orthodox spirituality introduction to. In the study of mysticism in any context, there is reference to a way of negation and a way of affirmation. Big book of christian mysticism trinity priory international. Combining careful theology with the warmth of the deep personal devotion of the author, the mystical theology of the eastern church is the best introduction.
It has often been connected to mystical theology, especially in the roman catholic and orthodox christianity. The term can also apply to the mystery of the eucharist in roman catholicism as well as socalled hidden meanings of scripture, such as in gnosticism. The following words spoken a century ago by a great orthodox theologian, the. Christian members please remember to read the statement of purpose threads for each forum within christian congregations before posting in the forum.
Eastern religions on the other hand provided the base upon which transpersonal theory was founded and developed. I had read this book several years ago when i first had learned about the orthodox church and was trying to find out more about. It is our intention, in the following essay, to study certain aspects of eastern spirituality in relation to the fundamental themes of the orthodox dogmatic tradition. The seminar started in march 2002 as an attempt to investigate jewish mystical traditions in the eastern christian theological and liturgical texts.
A prime reason for this interest has been the growing fascination with mysticism and ancient tradition which has permeated western societies. Mysticism and the eastern orthodox church christian forums. Roots of christian mysticism texts from the patristic. These types, however, should not be seen as mutually exclusive, since some mystics make use of all of them. From this perspective mysticism played a vital part in the. A classic account of the belief, worship, and life of the orthodox church. The book which was recommended to me as a valuable tool in understanding orthodox christian mysticism, which i unhesitatingly recommend also to you, is the mystical theology of the eastern church by vladimir lossky. Christianity history of christian mysticism britannica. The earliest form of christian mysticism was the christmysticism of paul and john.
In the silence of the desert, in the solitude of the cell, free from worldly entanglements, one could ascend to the contemplation and knowledge of god, and loving union with him. Im thrilled to announce that my forthcoming book, the big book of christian mysticism. The orthodox tradition is arguably the most faithful representation of early christianity in existence today. We might begin by noting that in the early 1960s a wide. I have a great respect for the orthodox church that i can only see continuing to grow from here on out, not. Eastern orthodox christianity is one of the largest christian fellowships in the world, second only to the roman catholic church. It is one of the forms of orthodox mysticism and is still practiced in the orthodox world. Clement is arguably the most important contemporary orthodox christian thinker and writer in france. Christianity forms of christian mysticism britannica. Theodore sabo origins of eastern christian mysticism asserts that the thinkers between basil of caesarea and symeon the new theologian were important mainly for their role in the formation of hesychasm, a. Christianity has remained relatively peripheral to the intellectual processes that shaped transpersonal theory.
Perhaps if the eastern church could be induced to see jesus once again as he lived his life on earth among menif it could behold the living jesus as depicted in the urantia book perhaps then it, the historic church of jesus, the upholder of the sacred truths of the incarnation and the trinity, the preserver of integral christian theology. Orthodox spirituality is mainly expressed through prayer, daily christian living, and worship, which ultimately lead to union with the divine uncreated light. Yet despite a quarter billion adherentsincluding growing numbers of evangelical convertsit remains unfamiliar and mysterious to many. As a former evangelical christian, i understand the strange and mysterious aura that colors the perception of most american christians have about orthodoxy. Origins of eastern christian mysticism asserts that the thinkers between basil of caesarea and symeon the new theologian were important mainly for their role in the formation of hesychasm, a fourteenthcentury mystical movement in the eastern church. Christian mysticism refers to mystical practices and theory within christianity.
The orthodox church is unique among christian denominations in that it emphasizes a mystical, divine union between the worshiper and the christ, not simply the. Losskys great work on eastern orthodoxy covers the whole range of its spirituality and theology. Theology and mysticism in the tradition of the eastern church. What are some good examples of books on christian mysticism. Historically orthodox christianity has been very amenable to some mystics st. Eastern orthodox mysticism and transpersonal theory kyriacos c.
I wish to separate the most important writings with the realm of christian spirituality into three groups. This translation is an anthology of patristic and spiritual literature. Travel with david torkington, through time, and learn the true meaning of mysticism, and how you might improve your prayer life, and in the process, improve your relationship with god. Yet spirituality and dogma, mysticism and theology, are inseparably linked in the life of the church. Orthodoxy and mysticism part 1 eastern orthodoxy and. Father congars book divided christendom, though very remark able in many respects, remains. The many forms that christian mysticism has taken during the last two millennia can be divided into three broad types. Theology and mysticism in the tradition of the eastern church by vladimir lossky. It has often been connected to mystical theology, especially in the roman catholic and orthodox christianity both the eastern orthodox and oriental orthodox traditions the attributes and means by which christian mysticism is studied and practiced are. Wikiproject council, i have made a proposal for a new wikiproject wikiproject mysticism.
Origins of eastern christian mysticism by sabo, theodore. Moreys many years of intense academic research and personal interviews with eastern orthodox theologians and followers have become the basis for the subjects addressed in this 200 page book. Orthodox christians believe that it is possible to experience god, because in christ, god shared his life with humanity. Christianity christianity forms of christian mysticism. Paytons sympathetic, evenhanded introduction illuminates orthodoxys fascinating history, theology, and practice. It is a superb volume for armchair theologians, clerics of every stripe, those seeking a greater understanding of god in trinity and human nature, and those wishing a lucid explanation of the differences between the holy orthodox church and more occidental, rational, and secular forms of. The mystical theology of the eastern church by vladimir lossky. The book wont be published until august 2010 but why wait. The sources of orthodox spirituality are the holy scriptures, sacred tradition, the dogmatic definitions of the ecumenical synods, and the spiritual teachings of the greek orthodox fathers. They identified themselves as orthodox christian mystics and used christian symbols to explain their experiences and worldview. One major feature of hesychasm is emphasis on the jesus prayer q. The eastern orthodox church articulated its position through gregory palamas, and has tried to maintain a balance between the two concepts since that time. Although the essence of mysticism is the sense of contact with the transcendent, mysticism in the history of christianity should not be understood merely in terms of special ecstatic experiences but as part of a religious process lived out within the christian community.
With six short chapters, two comprehensive appendixes, and hundreds of footnotes, is eastern orthodoxy christian. For advanced teachings on union, download book here in this link. In the eastern christianity, there was a synthesis of what sometimes appears. In the mystical vision of the divine energies of the advanced christian. These are both very philosophical books so if you arent used to that kind of language be ready to do some research as you read i had to for sure. A clear, detailed introduction to the orthodox church, written for the nonorthodox as well as for orthodox christians who wish to know more about their tradition. Christian mysticism score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. It is the christian east, or, more precisely, the eastern orthodox church, which will form. Mysticism is one of those things one endlessly hears about from apologists for the east, perhaps most famously in that dreary book, the mystical theology of the eastern church by lossky that at one point it seems everyone was required to readbefore, that is, the explosion in eastern christian scholarship of the last three decades, which has. It is often thought of as the practice of the experiential knowledge of god. But it is written as a contribution to an understanding of spirituality that is both deep as in deeplyrooted in the christian path and inclusive open to the wisdom of. Orthodoxy and mysticism part 1 eastern orthodoxy and mysticism. Christianity christianity history of christian mysticism. Mysticism is one of those things one endlessly hears about from apologists for the east, perhaps most famously in that dreary book, the mystical theology of the eastern church by lossky that at one point it seems everyone was required to readbefore, that is, the explosion in eastern christian scholarship of the last three decades, which has had the welcome effect, inter alia, of dethroning lossky.
But it is written as a contribution to an understanding of spirituality that is both deep as in deeplyrooted in the christian path and inclusive open to the wisdom of others. Eastern orthodoxy the mystical trap in recent years interest in the eastern orthodox church among christians has grown steadily and there have been a number of converts to this religious body. The orthodox church is one of the three main christian groups the others being roman catholic and protestant. It leads a little while later to an abundance of terrible theology books, many of. The forums in the christian congregations category are now open only to christian members. An introduction to orthodox spirituality greek orthodox archdiocese. Read to learn more about wisdom from the christian mystics. The book surveys previous research on protohesychasm and sets forth eight hesychastic trends in its practitioners. The essential guide to contemplative spirituality, is now available for preorder from. The transformation of the senses hieromonk irenei steenberg. The classical writings of the church fathers athanasius of alexandria, gregory of nyssa, origen, psuedodionysius, maximus the confessor.
Roots of christian mysticism is an essential work for any christian orthodox, catholic, or protestant who is serious about moving beyond a superficial faith. Two great artesian wells of mystical experience, upon which orthodox byzantine mysticism drew in its first phase, were saint gregory of nyssa and the monk evagrios pontikos 345399 ad. In an age where christian sects such as the mormons or the jehovahs witnesses seek to revive forms of arianism and polytheism, it is important for us to recognize the salutary commitment of those in the catholic, quaker, and orthodox traditions who maintain a belief in the triune god, with a ruling and sending father, a redemption. Eastern orthodox church orthodox churches orthodox prayer rope. This experience is not an uncommon one in the orthodox church, but we. The term mystical theology denotes that which is accessible yet inaccessible. It has often been connected to mystical theology, especially in the roman catholic and orthodox christianity both the eastern orthodox and oriental orthodox traditions. By drawing on the teachings from the first witnesses to the apostolic era, clement weaves together issues of theology and spirituality of the christian experience. Clement weaves his citations into a continuous commentary on the experience of god.
Place your preorder now by clicking here and while i cannot say for sure that this is the final cover design publishers will often. As regards the eastern church, we have already remarked that she makes no sharp distinction between theology and mysticism, between the realm of the common faith and that of personal experience. Eastern orthodox mystics logos bible software forums. The interdisciplinary seminar on the jewish roots of eastern christian mysticism is designed as the internet version of an ongoing research seminar of graduate students at the department of theology of marquette university milwaukee, usa. It was thought that the seminar would help initiate and inspire the discussion about the jewish influences on eastern christian mysticism among a broader audience. If you want to discuss with orthodox christians in particular i also recommend coupling with the book the mystical theology of the eastern church. Mysticism is not so much a doctrine as a method of thought. Vladimir losskys mystical theology is one of the most profound books ever written about christianity.