Customer Reviews

John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent (Classics of Western Spirituality)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I now have a small collection of books from the Paulist Press Classics of Western Spirituality series. All are well-edited and well-translated, and all come as standard glued paperbacks with that lamentably ugly Paulist cover 'art' (which here lost them one star).

The Paulist edition of 'John Climacus: The Ladder of Divine Ascent' is certainly scholarly and reads well enough, but I became intrigued by the comparisons other reviewers were making between it and the Holy Transfiguration Monastery translation. And so I decided to obtain a copy of the HTM edition (ISBN 0943405033) since it is once more in print at a remarkably modest price and can be ordered through their web site.

As others have pointed out, the two translations, though equally scholarly, are in very different styles. As physical products the books are very different too, and I'm overwhelmed at the superb quality of the HTM edition -- hard bound in full gilt-blocked cloth and with a durable Smyth-sewn binding that opens flat, well printed in two colors on Sebago Antique paper, illustrated throughout with icons, and with head and tail pieces and many lovely ornaments. The Editors' Foreword informs us that they "have not wished to spare labours or expense in producing an edition that is worthy of this great classic."

The keen student will no doubt want to have both the Paulist and the HTM translations, as each serves to provide what the other lacks and both help clarify their occasional respective obscurities. Bibliophiles and the Orthodox, however, will undoubtedly be more than happy to settle for the superb Holy Transfiguration Monastery edition as an elegant and tasteful vehicle for an important spiritual classic and a real book that will last.

I have read both versions of John Climacus' book and have compared the two books line by line on some subjects. I vote
for the Paulist edition.

For example on gluttony the Paulist Press has it "a stuffed belly
produces fornication, while a mortified stomach leads to purity". Meanwhile the Transfiguration version is "Satiety in food is the father of fornication; but affliction of the stomach
is the agent of purity". For me the Paulist reads like the NIV version of the Bible while the Transfiguration version reads like King James. Earth shaking? Not according to the Transfiguration introduction itself. It states
very clearly that it too relies on Mignes' Patrologica Graeca
(like the Pauline). Moreover it goes on to say "Since no
critical text of The Ladder exists to date, the various editions
that have been published present us with variant readings.
Though significant, none of these descrepancies are of a dogmatic
nature." (p.xxx)

The Paulist Press version, the one shown here is easier to read (NIV vs King James again).It contains a scholarly introduction by Kallistos Ware the premier Eastern Orthodox Writer (which you can skip if you are still worried about being polluted by the Latins which he clearly is not). Most importantly I think the Paulist version speaks to you more in what I imagine to be John's true voice. He had a sense of humor and was NOT a pedant.

Having cast my own pedantic vote for the edition shown on the Amazon site, let me make my main point. Comparatively I too find this book to be superior to any other Christian text I have ever read on the pursuit of perfection. Imitation of Christ. Unseen Warfare, Philokalia etc etc. John got it right at Sinai sometime in the 600s. I regularly seek his friendship and guidance both in his words and in spritual/mental communion with him. A kinder, holier, more knowledgeable guide you could not ask for.

I haven't read Holy Transfiguration Monastery's translation of this, but I do notice that one of the people who recommended that one over this one (by Paulist Press) credited the Ladder to Maximus. That's a pretty shocking mistake for someone claiming insight into the nuances of translation.

Perhaps HTM's is better, but unfortunately it's really hard to find and expensive when you do. Also, I am familiar with Catholic--Orthodox polemics; and I believe I would have noticed a bias if it were evident. Actually I suspect the reviewers, rather than the translator of this edition, had a distorting bias.

Please let's leave behind those reviewers and consider the text.

The Ladder is certainly a classic of Christian spirituality, especially important in the Greek and Slavic traditions. It was meant to be read by prayerful monks; naturally it is dense compared to the literature we're used to, naturally it's sometimes hard for us to read or understand. The monks' culture and concerns were far different from most of ours; naturally parts of the text are difficult for us to relate to. And yet no one can fail to be challenged by this text--especially we who live in a society that has fully embraced most of the values those monks consciously rejected, and we who attend churches that are often not wise or brave enough to break free of that embrace. It is certainly austere and harsh, and yet the fatherly gentleness and love and wisdom of its author shines through. No one can read this carefully and come away with the common, naive opinion that this work or the spirituality it represents were anything but deeply life-affirming and radically committed to love and justice. No one can read this carefully and come away with their own lifestyle and values unchallenged.

"The unexamined life is not worth living.": Therein lies the value of this text, however difficult it is for us to access at times. I don't care what translation you read, but by all means if you are considering reading, then do! If you actually do find it too difficult to understand or relate to, then begin with Volume One of the Philokalia (ASIN: 0571130135). The introductory essay and the glossary of terms are very, very helpful for understanding Byzantine monastic spirituality and theology shared by Climacus (more helpful than the introductory essay in this edition). After that, you should be able to read the Ladder comfortably.

This is a classic spiritual work of the Orthodox church, traditionally read in monasteries throughout the period of Great Lent. It is a wonderful book which will repay repeated reading.

Although the Paulist Press edition has a nice forward, I would suggest making the extra effort (and spending a little more money) to search out the Holy Transfiguration Monastery edition translated by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore. Besides what others have said about the beauty of the translation, this edition is physically beautiful, much nicer to read and have on your bookshelf. It contains an icon of "The Ladder," many other embellishments, and is printed on high quality paper.

Another important point to make is that the HTM Hardcover (and older copies of the Moore translation) has numbered paragraphs, which means it is much easier to look up or cite a particular section. This numbering has in fact become the standard way of referring to Climacus' sayings.

The monk's website (as of this writing) is: http://htmadmin.phpwebhosting.com/index.html.

No matter which edition you go with, though, read it prayerfully, dilligently, and in the context of the Tradition and you will surely not be disappointed!

I had made several attempts to get through this book but found it depressing. Then I read the beautiful Holy Transfiguration Monastery translation and finally was able to find this great work as a spiritual guide. Most of the depressing nature of Paulist Press version was in the mistranslation of several key terms used in the spiritual life. One simple piece of advice: Get the HTM version instead.

While I must, alas, concur in the sentiments expressed by the reader from Georgia, this book remains worthy of the serious reader's time. In the Orthodox Church, one traditionally reads this book through during each Great Lent; since I began to follow this practice four years ago, I have noted a great effect on my general outlook. I recommend this practice. One cannot read the book too often.

In my opinion this text is one that should be read from an Orthodox perspective. There are many items within that if you are not Orthodox could be taken out of perspective (5th step). The content of the text is excellent and is so widely acclaimed in the Orthodox world that it is commonly read in many Orthodox monasteries in addition to laity during lent. So be caution if you choose to delve into this book, and you may not want to lean on your own understanding of the content.

When I first read Saint John Climacus' work, I read this edition and was somewhat disappointed with it, though I did not know why. An orthodox monastic suggested I get the Holy Transfiguration Monastery edition. The latter translation is translated in the older style and thus seems more authentic. As I recall the version here seemed to have too much of the translator's own interpretaions in it. That was offputting to me.
This book gives guidance as to how to strip oneself of the passions of the old man and put on the new man.
I reread this work every Lent and am always amazed at the insights it gives. When I don't understand a passage I just move on and know that the insight will come at a later reading. The book gives incredible insight into the passions. If one is working on a specific passion like anger or vainglory, the book can be a remarkable help.
This book is read every evening in one monastery I know of, and monastics reread it every Lent.
After writing this review I realized that the five star rating I gave it is for the Holy Transfiguration Monastery edition. I would have to give the Paulist Press version a lower rating for the above-mentiioned reasons. Maybe three stars?

While no objections can be made to this work itself (the 'Ladder' is one of the greater spiritual texts in human history), it is this particular translation of the text that must be criticised. This edition is wonting in the original tone of the Greek, little of which has been preserved in its English rendition.

Perhaps more upsetting is the 'insertion' into the translation of much Western religious sentiment that is not apparent in Maximus' original Greek. This is fundamentally an Eastern text from an early period, and its translation 'into' a modern Western framework does a great injustice both to the text and to the reader.

Only one star for this volume: those who are considering reading the 'Ladder' would do themselves much better to find one of the various other translations available, such as that by the Transfiguration Monastery, or HMC Press (the latter available hereon Amazon.com).

Written by St. John Climacus, a monk living in the in the Sinai desert in the sixth century, this book details 30 steps, or challenges to living a more Christ like life. The steps are increasingly complex, pinpointing many of the temptations and weaknesses within our human nature. This book is challenging to read and is one that will have to be read slowly and more that once. It is a classic of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.