Involuntarily Orthodox Authors

[Liveus Trueblood]

[If you don't want to read much, just scroll down to the third paragraph.] I had started a Bible study with part of my family (protestants), a friend (protestant), and my girlfriend (Orthodox). We started with studying the Bible (of course), but I soon found that there was no easy or right way to discuss it with my friend and family. We would merely argue over the meaning of Scripture, which I find abhorrent, because I believe now that the meaning of most Scripture is found in the Orthodox Church (by most I mean everything vital, doctrinal, and theological that can be found in Scripture).

We decided to just read Sripture (a few Psalms, maybe some Proverbs, and a parable from Christ) and then study a book (so it's more of a "book study" now). We are currently reading A.W. Tozer's "Pursuit of God" and I think he's unwittingly expressing a pretty Orthodox standpoint (in most places). I actually really enjoy it and my family, friend, and girlfriend can all get something out of it.

So my question is: Does anybody know of some protestant authors who are inadvertantly (or otherwise) in agreement with the Orthodox Church, in some or much of their writing? I want to read them with my family not as an end but as a platform to a Deeper Christianity, namely Orthodoxy. Also, inexpicitly Catholic writers that express Orthodoxy may be acceptable. Or, of course, inexplicitly Orthodox authors, themselves (if that's even possible); or, ahem...heretics...

 

[Knee V]

Although he may no longer be considered "contemporary", C.S. Lewis is pretty often right on the money. It may be difficult, however, to make a "study" out of his stuff.

 

[hungrytiger]

I agree about Lewis. Not that I trust myself to know a good thing when I see it, but he often seems spot on to me. I don't know how you'd do a bible study with his stuff either though. Hm. But I suppose I have heard he wrote a book about the Psalms. Ah, here it is Amazon.com: Reflections on the Psalms (Harvest Book) (9780156762489): C.S. Lewis: Books. Perhaps that might be worth a look?

How about John Chrysostom? Wrote some good stuff. Awesome dude. Pretty orthodox. There are collections of homilies by him that seem to step through some books of the bible. Works by St. John Chrysostom | Christian Classics Ethereal Library I haven't read too much of it myself, but what I have really has been quality stuff. He's not called "golden mouthed" for nothing, and he's one of the three holy hierarchs to boot.

 

[Etsi]

May I just insert that a lot of old Reformed border on some things...which is why there are a lot of Reformed converting to Orthodoxy *raising hand as one of them*. Study what Calvin says on Mary Study the early church fathers.

 

[Lukaris]

Do any of you have an Orthodox Study Bible?; that may be of much help. Also consider these Orthodox Biblical studies publications: Conciliar Press - Books (Fr. Lawrence Farley's book on Romans is good & since that is primary Protestant biblical bedrock).

As far as Protestant theologians who lean towards Orthodoxy, there is a discussion re Anglican theologian N. T. Wright here: http://orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php?topic=15247.0 I think NT Wright has published books & has some articles online.

 

[Liveus Trueblood]

Hmm...

knee-v: Yeah, I was wondering if C.S. Lewis would be good for our group; come to think of it, we don't really study anything, we just read, and then maybe discuss it a bit. Thank you.

hungrytiger: Thanks for the suggestion about the Psalm commentary; we've actually been reading the Psalms, so that'd work well. As for John Chrysostom, I had considered him, as he does have some really good stuff to say.

Etsi: That's interesting what you say about Calvin, I'll have to check it out (although, I am incredibly wary of Calvin), along with the church fathers. Thanks.

Lukaris: I've spoken with my God-mother about using blatantly Orthodox sources with my family and, given the circumstances, she thought I should steer clear of literature that advertises it's Orthodoxy. Perhaps I should've mentioned that my family is bordering on hostile when it comes to Orthodoxy. As for Wright, I'll see what he has to say. Thank you.

Any more suggestions?

 

[MKJ]

My church one year did a Lenten series using the Screwtape letters. I wasn't there, but it was very popular, so it can be done. It wasn't a Bible study, but a book study.

Something else that might work is to look at sermons - you could read the readings, and then look through the sermon and discuss it. It would be easy to do in one sitting too.

There are lots of good classic collections of sermons available. One of my favorite university professors has a collection of sermons here. He's Anglican, but very orthodox in a C.S. Lewis kind of way. The one for Trinity 1 is nice.

 

[Lukaris]

Hmm...

knee-v: Yeah, I was wondering if C.S. Lewis would be good for our group; come to think of it, we don't really study anything, we just read, and then maybe discuss it a bit. Thank you.

hungrytiger: Thanks for the suggestion about the Psalm commentary; we've actually been reading the Psalms, so that'd work well. As for John Chrysostom, I had considered him, as he does have some really good stuff to say.

Etsi: That's interesting what you say about Calvin, I'll have to check it out (although, I am incredibly wary of Calvin), along with the church fathers. Thanks.

Lukaris: I've spoken with my God-mother about using blatantly Orthodox sources with my family and, given the circumstances, she thought I should steer clear of literature that advertises it's Orthodoxy. Perhaps I should've mentioned that my family is bordering on hostile when it comes to Orthodoxy. As for Wright, I'll see what he has to say. Thank you.

Any more suggestions?

Liv,
I would suggest perhaps the 20th c Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discipleship which is a heart rendering read (about 350 pp) much of which is centered on the Sermon on the Mount. Bonhoeffer's teachings re the sacraments and that grace must be renewed in them for salvation seems most orthodox. Bonhoeffer was one of a minority of clergy who openly resisted Hitler in pre & during WWII Germany & was martyred in a concentration camp (interestingly he also served in German military intelligence which was rife with anti Hitler conspirators...sorry for digression). You could probably study this book in sections rather than being overwhelmed.

 

[ArmyMatt]

some of Mitch Albom's stuff has Orthodoxy within from what I hear, and JRR Tolkien has a lot of solid theology behind his Lord of the Rings and Silmarilion.

 

[MKJ]

some of Mitch Albom's stuff has Orthodoxy within from what I hear, and JRR Tolkien has a lot of solid theology behind his Lord of the Rings and Silmarilion.

The Silmarilion can be tough going though!

 

[ArmyMatt]

The Silmarilion can be tough going though!

haha, tru dat.

 

[Kvikklunsj]

Flannery O'Connor could fall into this category. I love "Parker's Back".

 

[laconicstudent]

some of Mitch Albom's stuff has Orthodoxy within from what I hear, and JRR Tolkien has a lot of solid theology behind his Lord of the Rings and Silmarilion.

There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made. And he spoke to them, propounding to them themes of music; and they sang before him, and he was glad. But for a long while they sang only each alone, or but few together, while the rest hearkened; for each comprehended only that part of me mind of Ilúvatar from which he came, and in the understanding of their brethren they grew but slowly. Yet ever as they listened they came to deeper understanding, and increased in unison and harmony."


--J.R.R. Tolkien, Ainulindalë

The Silmarillion is awesome. My copy is so worn from reading.


Wasn't G.K. Chesterton supposed to be rather Orthodox?

 

[Nick T]

There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made. And he spoke to them, propounding to them themes of music; and they sang before him, and he was glad. But for a long while they sang only each alone, or but few together, while the rest hearkened; for each comprehended only that part of me mind of Ilúvatar from which he came, and in the understanding of their brethren they grew but slowly. Yet ever as they listened they came to deeper understanding, and increased in unison and harmony."


--J.R.R. Tolkien, Ainulindalë

The Silmarillion is awesome. My copy is so worn from reading.

Same here! I actually read the Silmarillion more than the Lord of the Rings!