A Faith Fulfilled, Why Are Christians Across Great Britain Embracing Orthodoxy? [Paperback]

Michael Harper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1999

Michael Harper, well-known by many American Christians as a longtime leader in the evangelical and charismatic movements in the Church of England, now comes before us in a new role: as a convert to the Orthodox Church. Harper's lifelong devotion to the Anglican Church was first shaken when some of her priests and bishops began openly denying fundamental truths of the Christian Faith, such as the Virgin birth and the Resurrection. As years passed and the situation deteriorated further, Harper and many other orthodox Anglicans turned their eyes eastward--to the ancient, ever-faithful Orthodox Church. Whether you are an evangelical, a charismatic, a conservative Anglican or an inquirer into Orthodoxy, you will be informed and inspired by this story of one man's tireless quest for A Faith Fulfilled. (Formerly entitled A True Light, published in the UK.)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A succinct presentation of the fundamentals of Orthodoxy." -- Jim Forest, Church Times

"Should interest any Christian open to the surprises of the Holy Spirit." -- Peter Hocken, Renewal magazine

"Written without a trace of rancour or bitterness, makes it a difficult testimony to ignore." -- Robbie Low, New Directions

About the Author

Michael Harper is known to many American Christians as a longtime leader in the evangelical and charismatic movements in the Church of England. A popular author and speaker, he converted to Orthodox Christianity in 1995. Now an Orthodox Priest, he was the President of Pilgrimage to Orthodoxy, and is the author of 18 books translated into several languages.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Conciliar Press (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888212128
• ISBN-13: 978-1888212129
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,408,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A somewhat quirky convert's tale, quickly gains the reader's sympathy, February 20, 2006

By 

Christopher Culver - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Faith Fulfilled, Why Are Christians Across Great Britain Embracing Orthodoxy? (Paperback)

A FAITH FULFILLED, originally published in England as TRUE LIGHT, is former Anglican priest Michael Harper's story of how he left the Church of England for the Orthodox Church. Harper was a major figure in the evangelical and charismatic movements, and his "coming home" to Orthodoxy was a great surprise to many. A FAITH FULFILLED is not only an apologia, but also an invitation to all believing Britains to find the same joy he has in the changeless worship of the Orthodox Church. The book may be said to serve as a British analogue to Fr Peter Gilquist's BECOMING ORTHODOX, and this American edition is published by the same press.

The book is split into two parts. Before even getting to the Orthodox Church, its history, what it believes, etc., Harper tells the story of his dawning realisation that the Church of England was, deep down inside, corrupted and would never regain a footing in the historic Christian faith. The rise of women's ordination and the denial of the Nicene Creed by a large percentage of its bishops gradually led him to seek a more secure church. Eventually, Harper was received into the Antiochian Orthodox Church--a favourite destination of evangelicals worldwide during this time. He was among the first Britons to place themselves under the leadership of Ignatius, patriarch of Antioch. Harper's story of leaving Anglicanism is exceedingly charitable toward his friends remaining in the Church of England, and while admitting institutional collapse, he has great praise for many of his former colleagues there. The book's subtitle is "Why Are Christians Across Great Britain Embracing Orthodoxy?", but this is a bit of a misnomer. Unlike the aforementioned book by Fr Peter Gilquist, which tracks an entire band of friends as they leave evangelical churches for Orthodoxy, Harper's book is mainly an individual story.

The second half of the book is the true introduction to Orthodox Christianity. Harper begins by describing the essence of the Orthodox faith: what it believes, and how it worships. Unlike Roman Catholicism, which adds dogma never agreed upon by the universal church, and many forms of Protestantism, which reject much what the ancient Christians held dear, Orthodoxy's belief is just right and the continuation of what has been preached since the day of Pentacost. Harper explains that the ancient disputes over the nature of Christ, instead of being an eggheaded matter far removed from the concerns of the average Christian, are deeply important. Harper describes the form of the liturgy sparingly, you won't find terms like "Little Litany" and "Great Entrance" here. Instead, he tries to present the effect that the liturgy is supposed to have: creating heaven on Earth and giving God exceeding glory. Harper's history of the Church is mainly meant to show how history has *not* affected the Faith. Instead of seeing history as a development of doctrine, he describes it as a storm which the Church has held out from for two thousand years, maintaining always the Tradition continually passed down. The victories of martyrs are greatly praised, and Harper examines the life of St Elizabeth the Grand Duchess to show that this is a church where Christians continue to give their lives for what they believes.

Two chapters toward the end here are especially directed toward those whom Harper left behind in the Church of England: "Can I Be Orthodox and Evangelical?" and "Is the Orthodox Church Charismatic?" He seeks to show that in Orthodox one finds a fulfillment of all one was looking for, even if in the beginning it might seem intimidating or enigmatic. The writing of the book is not as accessible and engaging as Fr Peter Gilquist's similar work, but I admit that I'm not part of the British audience that Harper was writing for. Still, among the many stories of converts that have been written in the past twenty years, Harper's a solid read.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Aptly Titled, March 14, 2006

By 

Adam Gonnerman (North America) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Faith Fulfilled, Why Are Christians Across Great Britain Embracing Orthodoxy? (Paperback)

In this well-written book, Michael Harper manages what many haven't: He explains why he has changed from one religious group to another without deeply offending those in his former church. In a calm tone lacking triumphalism but demonstrating warm conviction, the author sets forth his path into Orthodoxy and provides brief apologetic answers to common objection frequently raised against his new-found faith.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have already recommended this to my friends, July 14, 2010

By 

jodie wilson "jodie" (Oklahoma City OK) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Faith Fulfilled, Why Are Christians Across Great Britain Embracing Orthodoxy? (Paperback)

I found this highly informative and easy to read. It was a pleasure to recommend to friends and fellow searchers.