The Forgotten Faith: Ancient Insights for Contemporary Believers from Eastern Christianity
Overview
There’s more to Eastern Christianity than ethnic food bazaars, enclaves of immigrants, and clergy with beards. The mystical theology, spiritual disciplines, and rich liturgical worship of the Orthodox Church provide sustenance for anyone seeking resources for growth in the Christian life. Ancient teachings and practices persist in Eastern Christianity that hold together much of what Catholics and Protestants have separated. Believers of all stripes increasingly resonate with Orthodoxy’s healthy synthesis of prayer, doctrine, liturgy, asceticism, and call to holiness in all areas of life. This ancient faith speaks with refreshing clarity to contemporary Christians who want to learn from a living tradition that is too little known in Western culture. This volume presents profound insights that will enrich, challenge, and inspire readers of all backgrounds. It invites everyone to encounter a spiritual tradition that is ancient, contemporary, and fascinatingly different.
In the Logos edition, this valuable volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
- Discusses Christianity from the early centuries up to the modern Orthodox Church
- Expounds upon the Orthodox faith and its place in contemporary theology
- Presents an accessible look at Orthodoxy from an autobiographical and evangelical viewpoint
- Introduction: How I Got Here in the First Place
- The Burning Bush: God Is Who He Is
- Salvation, Sex, and Food
- Mary: Don’t Be Afraid!
- Football, Liturgical Worship, and Real Life
- Fools, Monks, and Martyrs
- Constantine and the Culture Wars
- Conclusion: A Final Thought
Top Highlights
“Eastern Christianity affirms both faith and works; both liturgical worship and personal faith; both hierarchical ordering and mystical experience; and both specific doctrinal teaching and an appreciation of the mysterious nature of God.” (Page 8)
“Fasting is not fundamentally about food, but about healing our addiction to self-centered desire” (Page 44)
“had always viewed the bishop of Rome as the most senior bishop of the Christian Church, but not as its spiritual king” (Page 3)
“The Fathers of the Eastern Church remember Mary as the New Eve, parallel to her Son, the New Adam.” (Page 57)
“Eastern Orthodox spiritual tradition understands the acceptance of false judgment as a sign of victory over the vices of pride and vainglory.” (Page 102)
Gracefully and without apology, LeMasters combines autobiography with evangelism in his review of ancient Orthodox teachings and their contemporary belonging. To say that this is popular and not serious theology does injustice to a narrative that is both scholarly and accessible. Buy it, read it, and give it to someone curious about Orthodoxy as an alternative in American Christianity.
—Harmon L. Smith, emeritus professor of moral theology, Duke University
LeMasters knows both his subject and his readers intimately; yet there is not a hint of condescension. Written from heart to heart, there is a wonderful combination of telling anecdote and insightful commentary. The outcome is a book worthy of both prayerful pondering and critical appreciation.
—William J. Abraham, professor of Wesley studies, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University
This fine primer on the moral and spiritual life is no venture in ecumenical neutrality. Simply, clearly, personally, but never polemically, LeMasters lays out the basic doctrines and practices of the Orthodox East. Thus does he demonstrate why, especially here in the West, it should not become a forgotten [form] but a vital form of Christian faith.
—Ralph C. Wood, professor of theology and literature, Baylor University
- Title: The Forgotten Faith: Ancient Insights for Contemporary Believers from Eastern Christianity
- Author: Philip LeMasters
- Publisher: Wipf & Stock
- Publication Date: 2013
- Pages: 164
- Christian Group: Orthodox
- Resource Type: Topical
- Topic: Eastern Orthodoxy
