Light from the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition (Paperback)

by James R. Payton (Author)
Key Phrases: orthodox tradition, subsequent humanity, doctrinal decrees, Western Christian, Eastern Christianity, Eastern Orthodoxy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

To many people, the Orthodox Christian tradition (or Eastern Orthodoxy) seems unfamiliar and mysterious. Yet this tradition is arguably the most faithful representative of early Christianity in existence today and numbers roughly 250 million adherents worldwide. What's more, a steady stream of evangelical Christians has been entering the Orthodox Church in recent decades. Isn't it time we gained a deeper understanding of Orthodoxy?

In Light from the Christian East, James Payton gives us just that. With a sympathetic eye and even hand, he ushers readers into the world of Orthodox Christianity its history, theology and religious practices. In doing so, he clears away the confusion and misunderstandings that often prevent non-Orthodox Christians from fully appreciating the riches of this ancient tradition. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in Orthodox Christianity.

Market/Audience

• Students and professors of church history
• Readers of church history
• Orthodox readers

Endorsements

"This is a book for those who want a more comprehensive vision of the Christian faith without feeling the need to convert to the Orthodox Church. It ably and accurately provides information on major themes in Orthodox theology while inspiring readers to embrace all that is holy and right within it." BRADLEY NASSIF, professor of biblical and theological studies, North Park University (Chicago)

"One of the best introductions available to the Eastern Orthodox Church and its theology... This book will find its way into many syllabi." JAMES J. STAMOOLIS, senior vice president of academic affairs and dean, Trinity College and Trinity Graduate School, and author of Eastern Orthodox Mission Theology Today

Features and Benefits

• Offers an introduction and description of Eastern Orthodox history, doctrine and practice
• Dispels common misunderstandings about Eastern Orthodoxy

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (August 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830825940
• ISBN-13: 978-0830825943
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #102,028 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Introduction to Eastern Christianity, August 16, 2007

By	F. Mathewes-Green (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was able to read this work 2 years ago in manuscript, and was so impressed that, since then, I've been encouraging the author in his quest for a publisher. It's a delight to see it is now in print.

What I appreciate is that this is a book about Eastern Orthodoxy written by someone who stands firmly in the Reformed tradition. Yet he has come to understand Orthodoxy extremely well, after teaching it for years at Redeemer University College in Ontario. The combination means that this work presents Orthodoxy in a context of keen sensitivity to Western Christian (Protestant, Catholic, and other)concerns, controversies, paradigms, and red flags. It's an excellent choice for the person who would like to understand Orthodoxy, and understand how differences between East and West that initially appear subtle reach back to profoundly different assumptions about the purpose and practice of Christian faith.

here's the blurb I supplied for the jacket:

"James Payton has combined his thorough familiarity with Eastern Orthodoxy with a gracious and respectful sensibility, and produced a book that is inviting, accessible, and more content-rich than an introductory work is expected to be. 'Light from the Christian East' is an excellent book."

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Western Light on the East, September 13, 2007

By	Gregory Soderberg (NC) - See all my reviews

I found this an extremely informative introduction to Eastern history and theology. As a graduate research student in theology (with a MA in church history already) I was shocked at how ignorant I was about the Eastern world. Dr. Payton is especially helpful in relating and contrasting Eastern Orthodox theology to Western systematic theology categories. Although Payton is not Orthodox, he helps us understand the inner logic that drives Orthodoxy. Western theology and apologetics are filled with caricatures of Orthodoxy, and Payton's book goes a long way in clarifying what the Orthodox actually believe. The unity of Christ's Church would be greatly advanced if more Western Christians would read this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Re-Oriented?, July 31, 2008

By	matt (the reading room) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

After reading it through and having discussed it with friends who have read it, I would rank this book as in the top 6 of introductions to Orthodoxy for Protestants. As other reviews have noted, however, this is also something of a primer on Protestant theology, so it serves a double function. I recall from my Lutheran days being shocked at the "Catholic" side of the tradition, being raised in a rather romaphobic paris and school. This book would have helped me gain a better perspective of both my own Protestant position and that of the more authentic/established/universal Tradition. It gets into some deep waters. True, it is intended as a college textbook and is based upon the author's lecture notes (who is Protestant), but it may be a little too much for Protestants who are used to guitars, clowns and mimes in church. Even so, if you are seriously thinking about these issues, this would be a good place to start to wade into the deep end of the ocean and away from shore (once you begin to realize that your theological sandcastles were never meant to resist the tide of historical truth, perhaps, as it was for me).

For specifics, you can use the features above to see the table of contents and see it for your self. He covers almost all of the bases in a very clear and sympathetic manner.

Other books of interest may include the outstanding Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity for the American Christian, the mroe aggressive Dancing Alone: The Quest for Orthodox Faith in the Age of False Religion, the brief but direct Discovering the Rich Heritage of Orthodoxy, the solid duo Retrieving the Tradition and Renewing Evangelicalism: A Primer for Suspicious ProtestantsTradition, Scripture, and Interpretation: A Sourcebook of the Ancient Church (Evangelical Ressourcement: Ancient Sources for the Church's Future), and the two profound introductions to the spirituality of the Eastern tradition, The Mountain of Silence: A Search for Orthodox Spirituality and Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father : Being the Narratives Compiled by the Servant of God Alexander Concerning His Spiritual Father. Of course, The Orthodox Way is a classic standard.