The Journals of Father Alexander Schmemann, 1973-1983 [Paperback]

Alexander Schmemann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2000

A number of years have passed since Fr Alexander Schmemann's untimely death on December 13, 1983 at the age of sixty-three. Fr Schmemann was known for his many-faceted and eloquent gifts as preacher, professor and priest. His insight into contemporary culture, church life and liturgical celebration left an indelible mark on generations of Christians. These journals offer insight into the quiet, intimate side of his life. They witness the magnitude of his heart, his absolute humanity. Translated and edited by his wife, the abridged journals reveal his recollections and experiences and record his formative creative thought on all manner of subjects. Fr Schmemann writes, 'The meaning of this journal is not so much a desire to record events, but a kind of visit into myself.' They record, often with brutal honesty, his impatience and frustration with himself and events, but above all, his liberation and freedom 'in Christ and His Church.' We see a life replete with the effort to call people to live 'higher and more openly,' to become restored human beings. His love of God, deep faith and reverent love of family serve as an endless wellspring shaping his person. Reading these journals we are inspired, enlivened and renewed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Includes some brilliant nuggets of theological reflection and wonderfully honest accounts of the struggles and victories of faith. -- Christian Century, March 14, 2001

It is a big book of some 350 pages and, after I had finished reading it, I wished for more. -- First Things

Powerful in the way Thomas Merton's journals are powerful: words written out of deep faith [in] the light of God. -- Commonweal, September 22, 2000

Schememann, more than any other Orthodox churchman, communicated to the Christian West the liturgical spirit of the Christian East. --Christian Century, April 25, 2001

Product Details

• Paperback: 353 pages
• Publisher: St Vladimirs Seminary Pr (March 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881412007
• ISBN-13: 978-0881412000
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #944,504 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Two No's and a Yes (edited criticism), July 27, 2009

By 

Baroque Norseman (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Journals of Father Alexander Schmemann, 1973-1983 (Paperback)

Reading another's letters or journals, while sometimes ethically questionable, is almost always entertaining and more often than not, it provides illustrations of how literature and theology ought to be done. Fr Schmemann is no exception. These journals span ten years and reflect his thoughts on church, politics, and culture. What makes them refreshing is that he can offer America an outsider's perspective on a range of topics. One can summarize the Journals in a few words: two No's and a Yes--no to secularism, no to "spirituality" and yes to the Kingdom of God.

I read this several years ago and since then, reflecting developments in European and American history since Fr Alexander wrote this book, I must modify most of my praise. That will come at the end of the review.

Fr Schmemann saw the problem in the 70s and 80s as the Church (mainly Orthodox but any denomination would be accurate) capitulating to the world's values. But the two No's cannot be understood apart from Schmemann's goal: helping the (local) Church understand it's role in the Kingdom of God and in participating in the Eucharist. The Eucharist reflects the light of the future Kingdom and reorients the Church's values. Take away the Kingdom (and the Eucharist) and one is left with left-over secularism and vague spiritualities. Secularism is misplacing the Kingdom of God. Spirituality is simply trying to do "religion" apart from the historical reality of the Kingdom and the concrete reality of the Eucharist. If one is tied to history and receives the Sacrament, then one cannot fall prey to "spirituality."

Conclusion:
The book is a gem. Some pages are beyond beautiful. Not only does Schmemann offer analyses of church and culture, but he gives penetrating insight into the human condition.

But I need to offer some criticism of the book. There is no index. I cannot tell you how annoying this is. There are moments, however, when Schmemann is not quite consistent, especially in his critique of Alexandr Solzhenitsyn. While Solzhenitsyn definitely went overboard, one cannot help but prefer Solzhenits vision of Soborpravna over against the liberal democracy of Carter-Reagan America. Thirdly, I don't think Schmemann fully understood many of the philosophical challenges that many Orthodox were responding to. He skipped the analysis part and jumped right into how these guys "failed to see the importance of the Kingdom." While that may be true, it's not fair to them and their work. I have Sergei Bulgakov in mind.

To the reviewer or commenter who rebuked Schmemann for doubting Orthodoxy (and I am a sacramental Protestant, fwiw), I must beg to differ. Never once did Schmemann doubt the truth of Orthodoxy. Rather, he denied that the cultral accretions (while sometimes necessary) were of the same level as Orthodoxy.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very intimate, challenging., November 8, 2000

By 

Wyote (Seoul) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Journals of Father Alexander Schmemann, 1973-1983 (Paperback)

Father Alexander Schmemann is one of the greatest theologians and teachers America has ever known, and he was very open in these journals. They are a valuable look into the heart of a great man. His honest desciption of his vision of the ecclesiastical world, his own failings, and the realities of seminary life may be eye-opening to some, perhaps even discouraging. But his tenderness and sensitivity to the world saturate almost every page, and his rich wisdom and deep faith will challenge every reader. Here is the spiritual life of an authentically human Orthodox Christian.

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diaries of a holy man, December 23, 2000

By 

Mark R. Farmer (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Journals of Father Alexander Schmemann, 1973-1983 (Paperback)

Richard John Neuhaus has a beautifully touching review of the "Journals" and tribute to Father Schmemann (the dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary who died in 1983) in the January 2001 issue of "First Things" magazine. The seven-page article has extensive quotes from the book, including Schmemann's friendship with Alexander Solzhenitsyn. Father Neuhaus (Roman Catholic), who became friends with Fr. Schmemann (Eastern Orthodox) in his last years, terms him a true "man in full." I'm looking forward to reading the book, to learn more about his impressions of America (he moved here in the 1950s from Paris, after growing up in Estonia), his efforts at ecumenism, as well as his great love for the Divine Liturgy. Schmemann writes: "All of life flows out of -- and is connected with -- the Liturgy!"