www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology wanted - a theology reading list

While in Lourdes and in amongst my poor SF being overloaded with work [ and he was - all sorts of unexpected groups arrived needing his services ] we started discussing a reading list for me.

He would like me to start reading more theology rather than doing much more about liturgics. Most of his introductory stuff is back in Australia so he said I was to consult with my GodPapa who has since spluttered a bit - and bearing in mind his library is nearly all in Ukrainian - one way and another we need help.

Please would you help me ??

my reading to date has been really very mixed

The Orthodox Way -- Bp Kallistos Ware

The Orthodox Church -- Bp Kallistos Ware

Great Lent -- Schmemann

The Hours of the Church in East and West [ yes that wee volume of Fr Taft's ]

Living Tradition - Meyendorff

Way of a Pilgrim

The Ladder of Divine Ascent


I'm really struggling - I know so little and really need the Dummies Guide to studying Theology AKA the Missing Manual series

Anything by Lossky, Schmemann, or Meyendorff. Check out www.light-n-life.com [light-n-life.com]

My two cents:

"The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church" by Vladimir Lossky

"Orthodox Dogmatic Theology" by Fr. Michael Pomazansky

-- John

Anhelyna - The Roots of Christian Mysticism by Olivier Clement is a fabulous introduction to theology through a montage of the writings of the Fathers. He marvelously works in the best of the Eastern and Western Fathers. Can't go wrong with that one.
FDD

Sayedna Raya's 'Eyes of the Gospel' from Madonna House is like a catcheism of the Eastern Catholic Church.

Hi,
God With Us Publications (PO Box 99203 Pittsburgh,PA 15233 412/771-9119)
has a three part catechisis for Eastern Catholics called Light for Life-
Part One The Mystery Believed,
Pt.Two The Mystery Celebrated and
Part Three The Mystery Lived.
The ISBN number for the three part set is 1887158065.

Excellent stuff!

May I recommend:

The Mystery of Christ, The Way to Nicaea, and The Nicene Faith, all by the Rev. John Behr. I recommend reading these in this exact order. The first is more "general theology", the second and third are more "patristic". If you read the Fathers examined by Fr. John in the last two books at the same time as reading his books, you'll be in pretty good shape.

Scripture in Tradition and The Sacred Gift of Life, by the Very Rev. John Breck. The first is about the place of the Bible in the Church, and the second deals with bioethical issues.

For the Life of the World, by the Rt. Rev. Alexander Schmemann, while perhaps being "liturgics", is also "sacramental theology". Also, see his The Eucharist.

Last but not least, some people find him controversial, but I think the books of the Very Rev. Paul Tarazi offer an interesting perspective on the Bible. I like him, others don't, but at least it'll get you reading the Bible, which is all I think he wants people to do anyway.

I would also recommend:

John D. Zizioulas, "Being As Communion."

And then, when you you are ready get the volume of the Philokalia that has St. Maximos the Confessor's writings. I think it is volume 2? But I can't remember,

peace in Christ,

Joe

One of the best books I've ever read is "Deification in Christ" by Panayiotis Nellas. I highly recommend this to any Eastern Christian-Catholic or Orthodox.

Ah, yes, that is an oustanding book. And it is very intelligible and clear. Peace in Christ,

Joe