Identify?

[Wiffey]

The Schmemann book is a good read. gtsecc, you'd also probably enjoy Lossky. I know that (on the Eastern end of things) folks usually reference & recommend Kallistos Ware, but I think some of his writings are a little bit introductory and basic for folks who are used to meatier fare.
I like to read a wide variety of books from across the theological spectrum, so I'll keep a lookout at the bookstore for that Cocksworth book, Naomi!

 

[gtsecc]

I have read a few pages from Vladamir Lossky's The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church, but it did nto grab me immediately. However, I will go back and read it because it is supposed to be really great. Of the modern Orthodox Theologians, I prefer Breck, Schmemann, and Ware.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

What a great idea for us to all try and understand 'the other' side!

 

[AngCath]

I have read a few pages from Vladamir Lossky's The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church, but it did nto grab me immediately. However, I will go back and read it because it is supposed to be really great. Of the modern Orthodox Theologians, I prefer Breck, Schmemann, and Ware.

A great book. I have read it several times.

 

[TomUK]

What a great idea for us to all try and understand 'the other' side!

Around a year ago i read 'evangelicalism: the future of Christianity' at the same time as i read 'evangelical is not enough'. It was fascinating to read them both in tandem and helped me understand both traditions in greater depth.

 

[gtsecc]

What a great idea for us to all try and understand 'the other' side!

I have read plenty on the other side.
I think it is important to know these sort of things so we have all views presented.

Now, I have a huge group of Christian friends, but I do see one thing that is a bit strange. The more orthodox folks have read all the evangelical stuff. However, the evangelicals, have not read any of the more orthodox stuff like Chesterton or Schemmann or Ware or Athanasius. Why is that?

 

[Yahweh Nissi]

I have read plenty on the other side.
I think it is important to know these sort of things so we have all views presented.

Now, I have a huge group of Christian friends, but I do see one thing that is a bit strange. The more orthodox folks have read all the evangelical stuff. However, the evangelicals, have not read any of the more orthodox stuff like Chesterton or Schemmann or Ware or Athanasius. Why is that?

I am an evangelical and I have read three books by Chesterton (Everlasing Man, Orthodoxy and biography of Francis Assisi, an overview of EO theology (written by a Protestant, but from a very sympathetic angle) - the author index of which has more references to Schmemmann, Ware and Lossky then anyone else, and I am currently reading a translation of "On the Incarnation" by Athanasius, so



However, you do bring up a valid point, I have noticed that, in general, evangelicals can tend to be a bit clossetted in their reading. But whilst being widely read does have benefits, and I think people should try to make an effort build their understanding of other traditions/views/etc, as Naomi says, it is not all that important. Building our relationship with God, living a Godly life, reaching out with the Gospel, loving our brothers and sisters and all our neighbours the world over (if you think I have missed anything then I am probably including them in the above) are the crucial things. Reading books from a wide variety of views can certainly aid these aims, but there is a danger of 'a broad view' becoming an end in itself and distracting from the important matters. Pride in my learing and looking down on less 'intelectual' brothers and sisters, who in all things that matter to God usually put me to shame, is a sin that I often have to battle against and flee from temptation to feel like this.

God bless,
love YN.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Building our relationship with God, living a Godly life, reaching out with the Gospel, loving our brothers and sisters and all our neighbours the world over (if you think I have missed anything then I am probably including them in the above) are the crucial things. Reading books from a wide variety of views can certainly aid these aims, but there is a danger of 'a broad view' becoming an end in itself and distracting from the important matters. Pride in my learing and looking down on less 'intelectual' brothers and sisters, who in all things that matter to God usually put me to shame, is a sin that I often have to battle against and flee from temptation to feel like this.

God bless,
love YN.

It never fails to amaze me the amount of wisdom we have among the young people on this board. Great post, YN.

 

[gtsecc]

it is not all that important. Building our relationship with God, living a Godly life, reaching out with the Gospel, loving our brothers and sisters and all our neighbours the world over (if you think I have missed anything then I am probably including them in the above) are the crucial things. Reading books from a wide variety of views can certainly aid these aims, but there is a danger of 'a broad view' becoming an end in itself and distracting from the important matters. Pride in my learing and looking down on less 'intelectual' brothers and sisters, who in all things that matter to God usually put me to shame, is a sin that I often have to battle against and flee from temptation to feel like this.

God bless,
love YN.

Beign loving and buildign a relationship with God are nto unique to Christinaity.
I can be muslim, Jewish, or Hindu and do all of those things.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Beign loving and buildign a relationship with God are nto unique to Christinaity.
I can be muslim, Jewish, or Hindu and do all of those things.

Being a Christian is about being holy - set apart to live the life that God wants for us. We do not conform to the ways of the world, but to God's ways. Being holy is a process that grows from the moment of becoming a Christian.

It's not, in itself, about being nice. Of course, that is what God wants for us but our standard of niceness is so short of his. The key thing is to improve year on year.

 

[Wiffey]

It's true...we can read every book in the world and have a masterful grasp of every theological concept...and if we have no faith and our hearts are full of hate, then we're lost. We do fall into the trap sometimes of overintellectualizing...when it would do more good to simply be kinder.

Certainly, theological study has its place, but it can never replace worship, repentance, and a loving heart.

 

[gtsecc]

You can also have a wonderful heart, but not be Christian.
For example, a very loving Jehovah's Witness calls upon the name of Christ.

 

[Wiffey]

Very true. It takes faith, but I don't think it necessarily takes a master's degree in theology. Example: I used to work with Down's syndrome kids. Very loving kids, very kind. They will probably get to heaven long before me.

The point being that it takes faith, not perfection. If I work to understand the Faith to the best of my ability, but am only 99% correct...will God reject me when I love Him and have tried my best to seek Him and serve Him? Is getting into heaven like taking the SAT's?

Not that theology isn't important...but it isn't the only thing. A vibrant faith and a close relationship with Christ may be more important than being able to define how many angels can dance on the head of a pin...

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Very true. It takes faith, but I don't think it necessarily takes a master's degree in theology. Example: I used to work with Down's syndrome kids. Very loving kids, very kind. They will probably get to heaven long before me.

The point being that it takes faith, not perfection. If I work to understand the Faith to the best of my ability, but am only 99% correct...will God reject me when I love Him and have tried my best to seek Him and serve Him? Is getting into heaven like taking the SAT's?

Not that theology isn't important...but it isn't the only thing. A vibrant faith and a close relationship with Christ may be more important than being able to define how many angels can dance on the head of a pin...

I agree.

Theology is hard work (and I'm not fick) and you have to be fairly motivated to want to figure your way through it. I don't think it says anywhere in the bible that you have to have an IQ of 140 to enter the kingdom of heaven. The message is a lot simpler than that.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

edit *first of 9 multi-posts!*

 

[karen freeinchristman]

edit again

 

[karen freeinchristman]

and again

 

[karen freeinchristman]

edit *multi-post*!

 

[karen freeinchristman]

edit *multi-post*

 

[karen freeinchristman]

*once more with feelin'*