Customer Reviews

Energies of the Spirit: Trinitarian Models in Eastern Orthodox and Western Theology (American Academy of Religion Academy Series)

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I have been interested in the Christian experience and understanding of God for many years now, and this is the best book I have found concerning the differences in trinitarian theology between Eastern Orthodox and Western Christians(both Roman and Protestant). I know that my statement is flawed if it's taken to mean that books alone (sola libre!), and not prayer, eucharist, love, and faith, etc, are needed to encounter the Trinity, so don't take it that way. But on an intellectual level, surely this book helps in may ways. I'll quote the jacket:

"This book examines twentieth century theological commentators (Barth, Rahner, Lossky, Florovsky) on the problem of the doctrine of the energies of God. Counter to existing trends in western theology, the author gives a positive evaluation of this doctrine and seeks common ground between the eastern idea of essence and energies and the western idea of the inner and economic Trinity. Though written from a clearly western perspective, the book argues the coherence of the eastern position, and that underlying both eastern and western positions is a common intention to say that the encounter with God is real, and that the primary ontological distinction is between God and creation."

This is worth the time to read over and over. Other books of interest will include reading the primary sources for Reid's critique. Brath's "Church Dogmatics", Rahner's "The Trinity", Lossky's "Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church", "The Vision of God", "In the Image and Likeness of God", and "Orthodox Theology". All of Florovsky's works are foundational, but most, if not all, are out of print. The works of Saint Gregory Palamas are available in translation and commentary in many forms. I have used Meyendorff's two wroks, "Saint Gregory Palamas and Orthodox Spirituality" and "A Study of Gregory Palamas".

Some other books to check out are "The Mystery of the Trinity" by Boris Bobrinskoy, Studer's "Trinity and Incarnation", LaCugna's "God For Us", O'Collins' "The Tripersonal God", and Dimitru Staniloae's "The Experience of God". Enjoy!

I lost the password to my old reviews some time ago, so now I am putting a few of them on my new string, so sorry for the repeat. I just want as many people as possible to read this book.

I have been interested in the Christian experience and understanding of God for many years now, and this is the best book I have found concerning the differences in trinitarian theology between Eastern Orthodox and Western Christians(both Roman and Protestant). I know that my statement is flawed if it's taken to mean that books alone and not that prayer, eucharist, love, and faith, etc, are needed to encounter the Trinity, so don't take it that way. But on an intellectual level, surely this book helps in may ways. I'll quote the jacket:

"This book examines twentieth century theological commentators (Barth, Rahner, Lossky, Florovsky) on the problem of the doctrine of the energies of God. Counter to existing trends in western theology, the author gives a positive evaluation of this doctrine and seeks common ground between the eastern idea of essence and energies and the western idea of the inner and economic Trinity. Though written from a clearly western perspective, the book argues the coherence of the eastern position, and that underlying both eastern and western positions is a common intention to say that the encounter with God is real, and that the primary ontological distinction is between God and creation."

This is worth the time to read over and over. Other books of interest will include reading the primary sources for Reid's critique. Brath's "Church Dogmatics", Rahner's "The Trinity", Lossky's "Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church", "The Vision of God", "In the Image and Likeness of God", and "Orthodox Theology". All of Florovsky's works are foundational, but most, if not all, are out of print. The works of Saint Gregory Palamas are available in translation and commentary in many forms. I have used Meyendorff's two wroks, "Saint Gregory Palamas and Orthodox Spirituality" and "A Study of Gregory Palamas".

Some other books to check out are "The Mystery of the Trinity" by Boris Bobrinskoy, Studer's "Trinity and Incarnation", LaCugna's "God For Us", O'Collins' "The Tripersonal God", and Dimitru Staniloae's "The Experience of God".

Being As Communion by Zizioulas is also one of the best books you may ever read on the subject. Enjoy!