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The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church Vladimir Lossky 9780913836316 Books

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The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church Vladimir Lossky 9780913836316 Books

I am a recent Western convert to Orthodoxy, having purchased this book when I was still an inquirer. You may suspect that this book influenced my decision to make that step, in which case you are more right than you probably know. If you are anything like I was, you were raised in some Christian tradition, but never could get satisfactory answers to the deeper questions raised by the Incarnation of God, why the incarnation had to happen, and why He must be a Trinity and cannot be the "generic God" known to Masons and Unitarians, nor the simpler, unity-only version of God known to Muslims. This book is good for providing preliminary answers on these subjects and many others, but more importantly provides tools for the seeker to pursue these answers on his own. It is worth 5 stars but I knocked off 1 star for the language which some might find difficult.


Tags : The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church [Vladimir Lossky] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. In his classic exposition of the theology of the Church, Lossky states that the Eastern Tradition..."has never made a sharp distinction between mysticism and theology; between personal experience of the divine mysteries and the dogma affirmed bu the Church." The term "mystical theology" denotes that which is accessible yet inaccesible' those things inderstood yet surpassing all knowledge.,Vladimir Lossky,The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church,St Vladimirs Seminary Pr,0913836311,Christianity - General,Christian Theology - General,Christian doctrinal theology,Christianity,Christianity - Orthodox,Doctrinal Theology,Eastern Christian Churches,Mysticism,Orthodox Churches,RELIGION Christianity General,RELIGION Mysticism,Religion,Religion - Theology

The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church Vladimir Lossky 9780913836316 Books Reviews

I have been raised in educated in the West. Yet I have been challenged recently as I have
been reading various authors from what we consider to be the eastern Church. Better known
as the Orthodox church. This book has been a very enjoyable experience personally.
Far from dry theology, Lossky interacts with the Orthodox tradition with expertise knowledge and a genuine faith in the reality of the Father's activity in this world through His Son and Spirit, in the context of the Church. The book is worth buying just for the introduction, which outlines the meaning of theology in the Orthodox Church. Is Christian theology just neo-Platonism? Is God transcendent just because we are limited in our understanding? Is grace created or uncreated? Is deification (theosis) a Hellenic leftover or the meaning of union in Christ? Why was Christ incarnate and what does the Holy Spirit do? What do we say about how God is in Himself and how God is in relation to creation? Lossky tackles these and other pertinent subjects in this masterpiece. You will not read this book and remain unchanged, not because Lossky is such an original and innovative thinker (he is that), but because Lossky faithfully interprets the Tradition. The rest of this review is taken from the jacket of the book itself.

Vladimir Lossky established himself as one of the most brilliant of Orthodox scholars in the years between his departure from Russia in 1923 and his death in 1958. His uncompromising faithfulness to Scriptural and patristic tradition, coupled with his constant concern for an articulate Orthodox witness in the West, make his works indispensable for an understanding of the theology of the Eastern Church today. In this classic study of Orthodox theology, Lossky states that 'in a certain sense all theology is mystical, in as much as it shows forth the divine mystery the data of revelation...the eastern tradition has never made a sharp distinction between mysticism and theology, between personal experience of the divine mysteries and the dogma affirmed by the Church.' The term 'mystical theology' denotes in the realm of human experience, that which is accessible yet inaccessible; those things understood yet surpassing all knowledge.

While it is not an easy read at all, it is well worth the time spent in praying and thinking through the subject from an Eastern perspective.
Other books of interest include The Orthodox Way,Byzantine Theology Historical Trends and Doctrinal Themes,The Origins of the Christian Mystical Tradition From Plato to Denys,Orthodox Theology An Introduction,In the Image and Likeness of God, any Georges Florovsky books, The Mountain of Silence A Search for Orthodox Spirituality,New Seeds of Contemplation,An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith - Enhanced and The Orthodox Church New Edition.

Enjoy!
This is an interesting slender volume on Orthodox theology and doctrine.

I'm kind of on the fence with how much I like this book. I tend to dislike cerebral intellectual approaches to how I view God and too many theological books place more emphasis on a worldly view of God instead of focusing on the many spiritual, unknowable aspects of His nature. I guess this isn't anything bad - I know the average person needs or desires a concrete sort of relationship with our Father, and I see many people enjoy discussing God's nature.

This is the first theological book I've owned and, coming from a Seventh Day Adventist childhood, I've never before encountered a denomination that spends such a breadth of time devoted to the Lord and understanding who He is. This is what has drawn me as a young woman to the Orthodox faith.

There is a lot of sensitivity on the part of Lossky. He quotes the Bible (an unusual aspect, as most theologians I've encountered don't really pay much attention to Scripture), and seems to have an intuitive approach to the Father. In many ways he seems to act as a mediator or representative of God, an image of Him. Again, something I've never encountered before. I think this is a book you read over a period of years vs months. It's not a replacement for a real relationship with God; if you're curious about the Holy Spirit, the incarnation of Christ, the nature of God's love and omnipresence in a world which is confused with itself, I think this will give you better answers than most, or at least, guide you on a path of greater understanding.
Vladimir Lossky did a good -- perhaps even great! -- job of orienting us Westerners to an understanding of the Mystical Theology of the East.
At times, it was a bit difficult reading, but the summaries helped for understanding. I'd recommend it for serious students of East/West relations.
The book itself was in fair shape, and arrived fairly quickly.
This is the best resource I have ever come across with a clear, simple and excellent treatment of Eastern Orthodox Theology, and Christology and Trinitarian doctrine in particular. I believe, this is a must read for any Christian. What a joy!?
WOW, what a treasure chest this is. Written by one of the greatest minds regarding the topic. Much like, the late, Jaroslav Pelikan was to Western Church history, Lossky was to The Eastern Church, in particular the "Mystical Nature and Activity". This is an absolute essential for any one digging and delving into this abyss of learning. You will not be discouraged nor completely able to dispense with after one reading.
I am a recent Western convert to Orthodoxy, having purchased this book when I was still an inquirer. You may suspect that this book influenced my decision to make that step, in which case you are more right than you probably know. If you are anything like I was, you were raised in some Christian tradition, but never could get satisfactory answers to the deeper questions raised by the Incarnation of God, why the incarnation had to happen, and why He must be a Trinity and cannot be the "generic God" known to Masons and Unitarians, nor the simpler, unity-only version of God known to Muslims. This book is good for providing preliminary answers on these subjects and many others, but more importantly provides tools for the seeker to pursue these answers on his own. It is worth 5 stars but I knocked off 1 star for the language which some might find difficult.