www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Reading western theology?

Is this an acceptable practice for eastern Catholics? I’ve been attending liturgy and am wondering if it’s ok to actively study the scholastics and all other theologians and saints in western Catholicism and get inspiration/theology from them?

In the first place, we are all of the same faith, we're all Catholics, we just have differing customs and ways of explaining the same concepts.......... two different sparkles on the same diamond. And by the way, there are other sparkles there too.

In the second place, learn all you can, Western, Eastern, and Orthodox and Oriental and any others source that may help you. This is my opinion......Inspiration is where you find it, and wide- ranging knowledge provides a greater context in which to view the particular.

It may seem that your studies are getting too broad, but this is far superior than learning more and more about less and less.

Again, my opinion. Good luck in your efforts......

Have you asked your priest or spiritual father?

Why wouldn't it be?
It's not wrong for me (as a Latin) to read Eastern Christian theology, so, why would the other way around not be okay?

It is OK to read from East to West and from West to East, as you say!

When reading any theological work, it is always best to have orthodox commentary via scholarly articles that place the works we are reading in proper context while providing needed interpretive frameworks that are reliable and helpful.

The same goes for reading Scripture and works by the Fathers from Tradition.

Alex