Customer Reviews

Introducing the Orthodox Church: Its Faith and Life

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Coniaris writes very well. Unlike Shaeffer's angry"Dancing Alone" or "Our Hearts' True Home" (tomeof 14 women's journies to the Orthodox faith) this book is a flat-out "telling it like it is" book on what Orthodoxy is without slamming other faiths. He isn't a self appointed holy man, nor does he refer to other faiths as rubbish (although he does not ascribe to them!)This isn't a defence of Orthodoxy but rather an explanation of what it is. He covers basic beliefs, holidays, sacraments, the whole gamut. It is great to have on your bookshelf as refernce!

Coniaris has written what is perhaps the best primer on Orthodoxy. As an Anglican, I have often considered becoming Orthodox as our communion becomes beset with problems. Whenever I have a theological question, particularly a sacramental one, I usually consult this book first. It is highly detailed, yet simple and easily understood. A caption in the front of the book suggests it is for those curious about the Orthodox faith, and for confirmation classes, and I think it is excellent for both.

Some of the topics include The Church, Jesus, the Nicene Creed, Icons, Sacraments (i.e. mysteries), Prayer, and the Bible. Coniaris' tone is non-polemical, and he does not condemn others as he lauds the Orthodox faith. This is in contrast to Frank Schaeffer's writings, which are also intended for those discovering Orthodoxy. In some ways all 215 pages of this book read like a historical Christian commentary on major themes, because the writings and wisdom of the ancient Church are generously quoted. However, Coniaris does keep the discussion current as well. He uses many jokes and modern illustrations to explain key theological points. For instance, when describing the mystery (and difficulty) of the Trinity he tells of a boy singing in the choir of a Church that uses the Athanasian creed. When the little boy sang the 8th verse, the boy would sing under his breath, "The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, the Holy Spirit incomprehensible, ...the whole thing incomprehensible!"

Overall, this is a fine book for those exploring the Orthodox Church, those in it, and those who just want a taste of ancient Eastern Christian theology. Often in the Western churches the wisdom of Chrysostom, Gregory Palamas, Symeon, and other great theologians are largely ignored. Thus, this book has many purposes, and even if you don't read it all the way through, keep it as a reference book; there is a lot of great theology contained within.

This book covers the Orthodox faith in complete detail and answers questions pertaining to the doctrine and liturgy of the faith. Simply written and easy to understand. We use this text in our inquirers study class.

I was assigned to read this book as my introduction to the Orthodox faith for my upcoming conversion. I was surprised at the readability of the book. The author makes many modern day references to explain the point he is trying to make. The book goes into detail about different aspects of the church to answer all your questions. It not only explains the what, but the why, people do certain things in the Orthodox Church. It has chapters devoted to praying, saints, icons, etc., explaining in detail why people do what they do with each. If you have an interest in the Christian Orthodox faith, or are curious about why certain things are done in your church, read this book - it can only serve to make your experience more enjoyable when your questions are answered

A very short, but succinct overview of the faith and life of the Orthodox Church for inquirers looking for an initial understanding. Fr. Coniaris is concise and to-the-point, and explains deep nuances of Orthodox Christian theology in a simple, easy-to-understand matter. He has a great talent for "humanizing" the Church; and he accomplishes this through a myriad of anecdotes and poetry selections. My fiancée at the time, however, found this a little annoying.

I hate to criticize this delightful book (which is an excellent work overall, and it's really not my place), but I did find one major error in the chapter on Scripture, viz. -- that we only accept the seven "deuterocanonical books" (the so-called "Apocrypha") as reading for spiritual edification, and not as doctrinally accurate, or, per sé, directly inspired by the Holy Ghost. This isn't quite true. These books are on par with the rest of Scripture (per the Council of Carthage and earlier councils), unless, perhaps, he is referring to other books proper to many manuscripts of the God-inspired Septuagint and the Jewish tradition (e.g., Bel and the Snake, Susanna, et al).

I also always understood many of the popular analogies of the Trinity he employs (for example, "solid-liquid-gas," and the like) to be insufficient according to Orthodox theology, as the "prosopoi" [Divine Persons] are not mere "masks" or faces, inasmuch as the mystery of three distinct Personages subsistent in one consubstantial God is essentially incomprehensible.

In summary, it's a good book, but leaves just a little to be desired. I would, however, recommend it to anyone wishing to learn about the Orthodox Church, preferably supplemented with more in-depth texts under the guidance of a good priest.

This is the catechism for us average folk. Fr. Coniaris takes us into the Orthodox Church and makes all those confusing theological terms make sense. He relates the teachings of the Church to everyday life and is well-known for his edifying and sometimes amusing anecdotes. This is recommended as a good general catechism.

A great introduction for those interested in Orthodoxy or one who is a catechumen. Could have given a little more instruction on the basics of church procedures during a liturgy but all-in-all, a great book.

I really like how this book takes all the parts of orthodoxy and puts them in quick reference, segments. It's easy to see what they believe on different topics this way. I also like the beliefs being explained. It's encouraging.

Introducing the Orthodox Church is a fast but comprehensive read of contemporary orthodoxy. As an Evangelical, I find myself many times in a Christian quandry as to the state of the current church. Evangelicals have a pot pouiree of choices from which to choose to experience their faith. I grew up in the United Church of Christ, became a Missouri Synod Lutheran after marriage, went to an Evangelical Free Church, but I am Charismatic (EV Free is not)so I went looking elsewhere, attending 5-10 differnt churches over the last 20-25 years. Seeker sensitive, Emerging church, nondenominational, mainline denominations, charismatic, fundmentalist, dispensational, reformed, as an evangelical maybe I detect a problem here?

The question needs to be "what is Gods will?" I have read through the entire Catholic Catechism but in many points it just did not "ring true" even though I was praying to seek if this is where the Lord may lead me.

In contrast Coniaris has written a book which is designed to acquaint people with Orthodoxy and was written for use in an adult membership or converts class.

He breaks the book down into chapters which cover What We Believe about the Nicene Creed, Jesus, The Holy Trinity, Salvation, The Divine Liturgy. Other chapters cover Who were the Church Fathers, What We Believe about Saints and Theotokos, Life After Death, The Bible, Icons, Praying for the Dead and a chapter on the Sacraments and what they are and their purpose.

It is a very simple but comprehensive book. It will probably answer most questions that one might have concerning Orthodox Christianity.

One chapter describing the icons and the physical layout of an Orthodox church was very insightful to me. I have been to only 2 or 3 Orthodox churches over the past 10 years but now I realize all the meaning behind what I saw.

Explaining the liturgy and the role of the preists put an entirely different spin on church hierarchy as opposed to Roman Cahtolic.

Frankly put, I agreed with about 90-95% of what I read. I still have many questions such as the deification process. Is this different than Evangelical sanctification? They have a more accurate view of Mary in my opinion than the Catholics.

I found that the Orthodox and Evangelicals are much closer than say Evangelicals and Catholics or even Orthodox and Catholics.

The Church I attend right now is a Vineyard and the Lord is present in the Holy spirit. I wonder what it would be like if the Holy Spirit of the Charismatic/Evangelical chruch was united with the forms and the vast history of the Orthodox Church?

Perhaps this is something in the future to fulfill the Lords prayer "That they may be one as I and the Father are on."

This book is recommended to anyone but especially Evangelicals and Protestants.