recommendations, thoughts and feedback on reading

[theend0218]

I continue to read, think and ponder. If you read all my posts, which I hope you do not (I would not wish that on any one), you might suspect I am a hopeless pagan. I am not. At least I don't think so. I simply no longer find any meaning, value or joy in the Protestant Tradition. So, I am sort of stuck in limbo. I cannot even contemplate the RCC.

My main understanding of the Orthodox Tradition has been Pelikan's The Christian Tradition. I first read this back in the 80s, a life time ago.

Last year I started reading Ware's two books, and read at Gallatin's piece detailing his journey. Gallatin's starting point was so different from my own I did not find him helpful.

I just added to my wish list The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church by Lossky and The Orthodox Study Bible (NT and Psalms).

Any thoughts on these latter two? Helpful to anyone? Thanks.

[Oblio]

Have you read 'Thirsting for God in a land of Shallow Wells' - Matthew Gallatin ?

[Orthocat]

Lossky is excellent but can be very deep. It is helpful to be familiar with Greek.

Schmemann's "For the Life of the World" is also great.


Many of us here walked your same path. May God be with you and guide you in your journey.

[theend0218]

Have you read 'Thirsting for God in a land of Shallow Wells' - Matthew Gallatin ?
Yes, I did. I forgot about that one.

In fact, this is the book I have rather than the one by Gillquist.


By the way, anyone can PM me if you would rather do so.

[theend0218]

Lossky is excellent but can be very deep. It is helpful to be familiar with Greek.

Schmemann's "For the Life of the World" is also great.


Many of us here walked your same path. May God be with you and guide you in your journey.
Thanks. I will check out the recommendation.

I could not say that Greek is my second language! Yikes. I did take several years of Greek in College and Grad school - koine, so I do not know that it will be helpful here. Hopefully I can wade through it. Thanks, again.

[Oblio]

Yes, I did. I forgot about that one. I think the reason the books by former "protestants" were not that helpful to me personally is that both gentlemen were in traditions that I always found shallow and lacking. That is, neither were, from what I can read, grounded in theology or church history. The issues they had were understandable to any Protestant from a more traditional Protestant perspective. I do not know if this makes sense or not.


I understand.

I also second 'For the Life of the World'.

Lossky is good, but very deep. I chuckled when I started reading 'Introduction to Orthodox Theology' ... Introduction !

Several good books on prayer are 'Orthodox Prayer Life' - Matthew the Poor and 'Beginning to Pray' - (Abp.) Anthony Bloom

[theend0218]

I understand.

I also second 'For the Life of the World'.

Lossky is good, but very deep. I chuckled when I started reading 'Introduction to Orthodox Theology' ... Introduction !

Several good books on prayer are 'Orthodox Prayer Life' - Matthew the Poor and 'Beginning to Pray' - (Abp.) Anthony Bloom
Thanks! I will check these out as well. Peace.

[PrincessMommy]

It sounds like you aren't so interested in convert stories.

I really loved For the Life of the World and started re-reading it yesterday. Can't recommend it enough.

I recommend The Way of the Pilgrim as well.

But, more than reading about Orthodoxy from a book, have you been to a Divine Liturgy or Vespers yet? How about making contact with a priest and see what happens from a conversation with him.

[theend0218]

It sounds like you aren't so interested in convert stories.

I really loved For the Life of the World and started re-reading it yesterday. Can't recommend it enough.

I recommend The Way of the Pilgrim as well.

But, more than reading about Orthodoxy from a book, have you been to a Divine Liturgy or Vespers yet? How about making contact with a priest and see what happens from a conversation with him.
Thanks. I have not yet visited with a priest or congregation. I think about it from time to time. I enjoy personal convert stories, for sure. I just have not run into one yet that addresses my own personal issues. But, that could always change. I have added for the life of the world to my wish list. It looks very interesting indeed. Peace.

[Prawnik]

I like some of Clark Carlton's writings. YMMV.

[PrincessMommy]

Thanks. I have not yet visited with a priest or congregation. I think about it from time to time. I enjoy personal convert stories, for sure. I just have not run into one yet that addresses my own personal issues. But, that could always change. I have added for the life of the world to my wish list. It looks very interesting indeed. Peace.

You may not find any one book that will address all your issues at once. But having said that.. would you mind sharing with us some of your concerns/questions - perhaps that would help us steer you in the right direction.

[DonVA]

Thanks. I have not yet visited with a priest or congregation. I think about it from time to time. I enjoy personal convert stories, for sure. I just have not run into one yet that addresses my own personal issues. But, that could always change. I have added for the life of the world to my wish list. It looks very interesting indeed. Peace.
We have MANY converts on TAW who have graciously shared their conversion stories in the stickies at the top of the page. You might find a couple of stories in there that sound familiar to you.

Welcome to TAW! May God bless you on your journey.

[theend0218]

We have MANY converts on TAW who have graciously shared their conversion stories in the stickies at the top of the page. You might find a couple of stories in there that sound familiar to you.

Welcome to TAW! May God bless you on your journey.
Thanks!

[theend0218]

You may not find any one book that will address all your issues at once. But having said that.. would you mind sharing with us some of your concerns/questions - perhaps that would help us steer you in the right direction.
I will think about his for a bit, and see if I can honestly share and intelligently formulate some things. I appreciate the openness I always find with those from TAW. You are a good bunch. I mean that sincerely.

[gzt]

Well, depends on what you're after. If you're after philosophy, Aristotle East and West by David Bradshaw. Look for anything by Fr John Breck or Fr John Behr if you're interested in contemporary stuff.

[NyssaTheHobbit]

I continue to read, think and ponder. If you read all my posts, which I hope you do not (I would not wish that on any one), you might suspect I am a hopeless pagan. I am not. At least I don't think so. I simply no longer find any meaning, value or joy in the Protestant Tradition. So, I am sort of stuck in limbo. I cannot even contemplate the RCC.

I just added to my wish list The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church by Lossky and The Orthodox Study Bible (NT and Psalms).

Any thoughts on these latter two? Helpful to anyone? Thanks.

It sounds like we're in the same place right now! I just sent a long letter to the priest of the local church....I'm anxiously waiting to find out how he responds. :)

I have copies of Mystical Theology & the Study Bible. I haven't gotten to MT yet, but the Study Bible has been helpful. I've been looking through the Revelations notes, and it shows how various parts of the book come from the Divine Liturgy.

[theend0218]

It sounds like we're in the same place right now! I just sent a long letter to the priest of the local church....I'm anxiously waiting to find out how he responds. :)

I have copies of Mystical Theology & the Study Bible. I haven't gotten to MT yet, but the Study Bible has been helpful. I've been looking through the Revelations notes, and it shows how various parts of the book come from the Divine Liturgy.
Thanks! I just emailed an Orthodox Church today inquiring about a class they have during the week. I am hopeful it is an open class, and designed for those who are seeking. If you want, let me know how yours works out. Peace.

[Akathist]

I continue to read, think and ponder. If you read all my posts, which I hope you do not (I would not wish that on any one), you might suspect I am a hopeless pagan. I am not. At least I don't think so. I simply no longer find any meaning, value or joy in the Protestant Tradition. So, I am sort of stuck in limbo. I cannot even contemplate the RCC.

My main understanding of the Orthodox Tradition has been Pelikan's The Christian Tradition. I first read this back in the 80s, a life time ago.

Last year I started reading Ware's two books, and read at Gallatin's piece detailing his journey. Gallatin's starting point was so different from my own I did not find him helpful.

I just added to my wish list The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church by Lossky and The Orthodox Study Bible (NT and Psalms).

Any thoughts on these latter two? Helpful to anyone? Thanks.

I know this has been said but I wanted to emphasize that you can not really know anything about the Orthodox Church without attending the Divine Liturgy (Sunday) service. There is a depth to our services that books can only hint at.

[theend0218]

Thanks. I am going to start a new thread: "my experience so far, questions for TAW"