Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity for the American Christian [Paperback]

Jordan Bajis (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Light & Life Pub Co; Second edition (December 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0937032816
• ISBN-13: 978-0937032817
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,789,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Differences of Eastern Orthodoxy vs religions in the west, June 11, 1999

By 

Kirk Winkelmeyer (...Fort Collins, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity for the American Christian (Paperback)

For over four hundred years the Orthodox Church was the church of Christianity. This excellent book accurately spells out the differences between the Christian experience in the early church and Christianity in the Western world. It successfully points us back to the basics that made that early church so powerful. In the process I found that my understanding of the faith as something primarily between God and me was very skewed. Having come to understand how the early Christians lived out the faith in covenant community rather than as individuals has redirected my life,and made the bible much more understandable. As a result, I have a much deeper walk with God than I would ever have considered possible. While it may be a primer for those well steeped in the Orthodox tradition, it was a book that took several readings simply because our Western culture is not inherently communal as was the Biblical culture in which Christianity flourished. Anyone who seriously wants to grow in their Christian walk would find this a fount of knowledge and information that can seriously open one's eyes as to just how much more is available to them than most Christians presently experience.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Compare and Contrast, July 23, 2001

By 

W. Christ (Tulsa, OK USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity for the American Christian (Paperback)

This is the absolute best book for comparing and contrasting Orthodoxy with Roman Catholic and Protestant theologies. One of the biggest problems I have when speaking with others about faith issues is that some just aren't aware that when we say Baptism, Eucharist, Salvation, etc., we don't all mean the same thing. In a non-argumentative way, the author clearly describes the major teachings of Orthodox, Catholic, and major Protestant doctrines side-by-side. Great for cradle Orthodox to understand the theology of other denominations, as well as for others to understand us Orthodox.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great scholarship and a great resource. Very Balanced., January 17, 2003

By 

matt (the reading room) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity for the American Christian (Paperback)

I wrote the following review some time ago, and after rereading the book a few times, I am more convinced than ever that this is the best book to give to friends who are interested in the Eastern Church, or to read for yourself if you are looking eastward! I've added some more books to the end of the review for those interested in further study. Enjoy!

Father Bajis' own description of his work cannot be topped, nor should it be. He's done his homework, now do yours! If you read this book serveral things will happen. You'll get a great introduction to Eastern Orthodoxy, geared to the Protestant and Catholic mindset. You'll get an incredible reading list by reading the extensive endnotes. In addition, you will most likely learn more about your own history, whether you're Prot or Catholic. If you have not read his description above this review, please do (yourself a favor)!

Other books of interest: "Not by Scripture Alone" by Sungenis, "The Orthodox Way", "The Orthodox Church", and "How are We Saved?" by Bishop Kallistos Ware. Congar's "Tradition and Traditions" is a great work of Catholic scholarship by one of the masters. "The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church" by Vladimir Lossky will reshape your brain (and your nous)! For those of you who are more daring and looking to bite into something more meaty: "Being As Communion" by John Zizioulas; "Energies of the Spirit" by Duncan Reid; "The Ground of Union" by Williams. They deal with east/west theologies of the Trinity and the Holy Spirit, but they touch on everything else in between! Very deep stuff, takes time to read, but highly recommended! Enjoy!