Anyone Interested in reading and studying "The Orthodox Way" together?

[Akathist]

I am working my way through this book very slowly right now with my other responsbilities. I was thinking though it might be nice to read a chapter a week and discuss it here.

The first chapter is: "God as Mystery" and it is 16 pages long. I thought perhaps we can start discussing this first chapter next Sunday?

Here is a link to the place I bought my copy from: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/offer-listing/0913836583/qid=1098044386/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1a//002-6608434-7612814?condition=all

I am hoping to have people who have already read this book join us too.

To wet your interest: Here is the descriptionon the back of the book:


This book is a general account of the doctrine, worship and life of Orthodox Christians by the author of the now classic The Orthodox Church. It raises the basic issues of theology: God as hidden yet revealed; the problem of evil; the nature of salvation; the meaning of faith; prayer; death and what lies beyond. In so doing, it helps to fill the need for a modern Orthodox catechism. Yet this boo is not just a mere manual, a dry-as-dust repository of information. Through-out the book, Bishop Kallistos Ware shows the meaning of Orthodox doctrine for th life of the individual Christian. Doctrineal issues are seen not as abstract popositions for theological debate but as affecting the whole of life.

Please let me know if you are interested in having a discussion based upon this book.

[Akathist]

http://www.stpaulsirvine.org/html/FeatureArticle.htm

That is a link to an article containing the Prologue of this book.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Gee, I know I may get shot at for saying this........but I didn't care much for "The Orthodox Way." It was the very first book that was recommended to me from people I met on the internet. First of all, it's a strain for me to read non-fiction of any sort. But second of all, the only the thing I remember about it is that it read like a dry history textbook. *This is obviously just my opinion.* Many of you guys here must have gotten a lot from it. I'm not a super intellectual person, either, so maybe that was some of the problem, too.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

OOOPS! I was talking about "The Orthodox Church." Never mind!:doh: Actually, I started reading "The Orthodox Way" but never finished it.

[Marjorie]

I like Way much better than Church, especially in terms of theology. However, The Orthodox Church helped me understand the history of the Church very well-- that's not what The Orthodox Way is for. I know what you mean about Church being very dry, though.

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[countrymousenc]

Marjorie, I have a copy also, and haven't finished it - got interrupted and haven't gotten back to it. I'd love to read and discuss it with you and others.

[Dust and Ashes]

Sounds like a great idea. I don't have it yet but plan on getting it in the next week or 2 so I can catch up then and still read the posts until then. A precious sister blessed me with an Orthodox Study Bible today after coffee hour!! :clap::clap::clap:

Also, which of these would be better to give to a Protestant friend, Thirsting for God in a Land of Shallow Wells or Becoming Orthodox? Thanks.

[Oblio]

I know what you mean about Church being very dry, though.


Then there is the dreaded Church history book by Fr. Schmemann

[Oblio]

Also, which of these would be better to give to a Protestant friend, Thirsting for God in a Land of Shallow Wells or Becoming Orthodox? Thanks.


IMO, Thirsting ...

[Akathist]

Ok, I have to get off line now and I don't make it here every day as I used to. But I will read the first chapter and next Saturday evening after vespers, I will come here and post a thread called: "The Orthodox Way" Discussion Group, Chapter One.

Each Saturday evening for the next six weeks I will start a new thread for the upcoming chapter. This way we can all talk about the book at our own pace.

How does that sound?

(BTW, thanks for the reps!)

[Marjorie]

I'll do what I can in terms of the discussion!

In IC XC,
Marjorie

[Momzilla]

Ok, I have to get off line now and I don't make it here every day as I used to. But I will read the first chapter and next Saturday evening after vespers, I will come here and post a thread called: "The Orthodox Way" Discussion Group, Chapter One.

Each Saturday evening for the next six weeks I will start a new thread for the upcoming chapter. This way we can all talk about the book at our own pace.

How does that sound?

(BTW, thanks for the reps!)

Sounds good to me! I'll participate as much as I can.

[Theophorus]

OOOPS! I was talking about "The Orthodox Church." Never mind!:doh: Actually, I started reading "The Orthodox Way" but never finished it.
Do you mean "Introducing the Orthodox Church" by Anthony Coniarnis?

[countrymousenc]

Each Saturday evening for the next six weeks I will start a new thread for the upcoming chapter. This way we can all talk about the book at our own pace.

How does that sound?

Gets my vote. :)

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Do you mean "Introducing the Orthodox Church" by Anthony Coniarnis?
No. I mean "The Orthodox Church" by Bp. Ware. I haven't read Coniarnis yet, but I hear he's good.

[xenia]

Count me in.

[Reader Nilus]

Count me in if it is indeed The Orthodox Way.
Reader Nilus

[Theophorus]

No. I mean "The Orthodox Church" by Bp. Ware. I haven't read Coniarnis yet, but I hear he's good.
I'll try and get a copy, and I would like to go through it with everyone. count me in.

[prodromos]

Alas, I just finished reading it a few weeks ago :P

[Oblio]

I nominate John for headmaster of the class :P

[Eusebios]

Sounds like an excellent idea, though I cannot devote a great deal of time to it , what with school work and all. I'll check in on it though! Good idea Thorny!
In Xp,
Eusebios.
:bow:

[prodromos]

I nominate John for headmaster of the class :P
I am not available :P (reading too many other books:))

[gorion]

I just finished the first chapter of the Orthodox Way and found it to be very good so far. I got about Half-way through The Orthodox Church and have put it down as I am more interested at this point in lerarning the practical applications of the faith vs. a historical book.

[ExOrienteLux]

I probably won't be able to join in too often (college kinda puts a damper on your reading-for-fun, ya know?), but I did find Way to be quite the helpful read and I would be open to rereading it at my own pace and reading others' views of the book.

I guess that's a sorta 'count me in', I guess...

+IC XC NIKA+
Josh.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

I just finished the first chapter of the Orthodox Way and found it to be very good so far. I got about Half-way through The Orthodox Church and have put it down as I am more interested at this point in lerarning the practical applications of the faith vs. a historical book.
Hi, Gorion! :wave: I was going to say "welcome to TAW", but then I noticed your post count. Apparently you're not new, but for whatever reason I don't think I've seen you in here before. My response to "The Orthodox Church" was pretty much the same as yours.:)

I, too, am simply too busy with reading other books (as well as text book cr#p) to be able to participate. I would if I could!

[gorion]

Actually I was here a while back. But theology was making me spiritually sick so I needed a break from these kinds of discussions and heal for a while through reflection and just living in the church. I am feeling a lot better and after a lot of reflection I am refocusing my life. I will be lurking about and poking my head in more than I have been lately. But I have decided for a while at least that theology is best left to Theologeans (sp?) and I just am not one. I am focused on our lord and his grace and am just trying to be a blessing to those I come in contact with and share the love of the Lord. Luke 6:46 has been my latest verse on my journey and has brought me great hope and conviction at the same time.

God Bless.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Actually I was here a while back. But theology was making me spiritually sick so I needed a break from these kinds of discussions and heal for a while through reflection and just living in the church. I am feeling a lot better and after a lot of reflection I am refocusing my life. I will be lurking about and poking my head in more than I have been lately. But I have decided for a while at least that theology is best left to Theologeans (sp?) and I just am not one. I am focused on our lord and his grace and am just trying to be a blessing to those I come in contact with and share the love of the Lord. Luke 6:46 has been my latest verse on my journey and has brought me great hope and conviction at the same time.

God Bless.
I can relate! :) I'm no theologian or theology buff myself (and this is probably an understatement;) ).

[Suzannah]

This thread gives me an idea. What does everyone think of having an Orthdox book club in TAW? I will post a poll....please vote...thanks Thorny for such a wonderful idea.

:)

[Thomas C.]

I will check in and participate to the best of my abilities, but it will probably be some time before I can actually find and read The Orthodox Way. As far as The Orthodox Church, I found it boring in some areas and interesting in others.

[SaintGeorge]

I've almost finished the book, and I too will join the discussion.

[Dust and Ashes]

BUMP

I just picked up the book today at the Church bookstore and will be starting it tonight so I'm ready to participate. How will we do it? On this thread or in the book club thread?

[Turpius]

I am not Orthodox, but I have read "Orthodox Way", and find it very interesting. I will at least follow the discussions.

[ufonium2]

Then there is the dreaded Church history book by Fr. Schmemann
The Historical Road of Eastern Orthodoxy? I read that when I was an inquirer, at the suggestion of someone who I later discovered had never read it. Anyway, I propose a parallel book club for this book, one where we sit in a circle reading it and poke eachother when one of us dozes off. Tons of information, but "dry" doesn't do it justice.

[xenia]

I have the Orthodox Way and just finished reading the opening pages.

[grov]

The Historical Road of Eastern Orthodoxy? ... poke each other when one of us dozes off. Tons of information, but "dry" doesn't do it justice.

Dry? I found it to be pretty good, having just put down Prof. Pelikan's 1st volume on the development of doctrine after struggling through only 1/2 of it. I found Fr. Schmemann to be warmer, more engaging.

That said, I ended up putting Fr. Schmemann aside about 1/2 way through in order to study some saints.

But I really am going to come back to The Historical Road, then after that I really am going to come back to Pelikan, and not just his first volume, but all 5.

I will. Soon. After a couple more Saints.

George