Divine Energy: The Orthodox Path to Christian Victory [Paperback]

Fr. Jon Braun (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1995

There are millions of committed Christians in Protestant Churches who sincerely love God with all their hearts but who also have discovered that the Christian life is often...a battle against sin. They are frustrated because they aren't winning what they believe should be their share of those spiritual wars. In the depth of Orthodox theology and spirituality, new--actually, old--answers may be found.Beginning with an assessment of the battle all Christians have been called to fight, Fr. Jon turns to basic Orthodox theology regarding the Trinity, the Incarnation, etc. as the foundation for our struggle in this battle. Finally, he explains the tools, or weapons, we may use to fight the good fight such as prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and living a virtuous life. These tools have been used in and encouraged by the Church for 2000 years. They are "time-tested". Fr. Jon writes: "We don't have to experiment. The Church now has two thousand years of battle knowledge behind her."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Fr. John is a former Campus Crusade for Christ regional director, who with 2000 evangelicals became Orthodox in 1987. Now an Orthodox Priest, he is a poular speaker and author, and is currently a parish priest in San Diego, CA.

Product Details

• Paperback: 162 pages
• Publisher: Conciliar Press (July 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962271314
• ISBN-13: 978-0962271311
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,151,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good introduction to Orthodox Spirituality, January 27, 2000

By 

John J. Henderson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Divine Energy: The Orthodox Path to Christian Victory (Paperback)

Fr. Jon Braun's book is best explained by its subtitle, "The Orthodox Path to Christian Victory". Rather than simply asking Jesus into our hearts and expecting a prosperous life simply because we are Christian, the author urges us to fight the good fight (cf. 2 Tim. 4:7) and to wage all-out war with sin. In the preface of the book, he writes:

"It has been my experience that there are millions of committed Christians in Protestant Churches who sincerely love God with all their hearts but who also have discovered that the Christian life is often...a battle against sin. They...are frustrated because they aren't winning what they believe should be their share of those spiritual wars. It is my conviction that in the depth of Orthodox theology and spirituality, new--actually, old--answers may be found." (page xi)

Beginning with an assessment of the battle all Christians have been called to fight, Fr. Jon then turns to basic Orthodox theology regarding the Trinity, the Incarnation, etc. as the foundation for our struggle in this battle. Finally, he explains the tools, or weapons, we may use to fight the good fight such as prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and living a virtuous life. These tools have been used in and encouraged by the Church for 2000 years. They are "time-tested". Fr. Jon writes: "We don't have to experiment. The Church now has two thousand years of battle knowledge behind her. We can trust what she's learned..." (p. 146)

I highly recommend this book as a good, solid introduction to basic Orthodox spirituality. It is well-written in a common language which anyone can understand. After one has read this book, I would also recommend ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION by Bishop of Nafpaktos Hierotheos (published by Birth of the Theotokos Monastery).

The below review of this book is very misleading. DIVINE ENERGIES has nothing to do with cruelty to animals.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Really good for inquirers in the Orthodox faith, January 29, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Divine Energy: The Orthodox Path to Christian Victory (Paperback)

A good concise help to finding 'what' living the life of Christ is all about from an 'Eastern' perspective for 'Western Christians.'
A very good read [and quick] for an inquirer into the Orthodox faith. Our reading group/inquirer's class found it to be very informative and enjoyable. After reading this tackle "On The Incarnation" by St. Athanasius...Orthodoxy alive is best read from the source...alternately read the 'moderns' with the ancients, it is very rewarding.
Braun's "Divine Energy" really helps 'Western Christians' learn about theosis, the heart of Orthodoxy...check out his illustration of our life in Christ like a sword in the fire.

6 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Flawed Book, August 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Divine Energy: The Orthodox Path to Christian Victory (Paperback)

The easy acceptance and apparent approval of cruelty to animals ruin an adequate book. The Orthodox Church does not teach or approve of cruelty to anything. It is humanity's role to bring everything closer to God, not to spread pain and suffering.I find this acceptance especially disturbing in light of current research which shows cruelty to animals in childhood is a precursor to cruelty to humans in adulthood.
Also, the Orthodox Church does not say animals "have no soul". The Church Fathers say they have a soul but it is not the same as the enhanced human soul.
Inquiries can be better served by such standards as "The Orthodox Church" by Timothy Ware, and "The Spiritual Life and How to be Attuned to It" by St. Theophan the Recluse.