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The Orthodox Way

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"The Orthodox Way," by Bishop Kallistos Ware is the second most frequently recommended book on Eastern Orthodoxy in the English language to date, and the top book specifically on Orthodox Christian spirituality. (The number one book on Orthodoxy is his classic work, "The Orthodox Church," published under his given name, Timothy Ware.

I first read an earlier edition of "The Orthodox Way" many years ago as an Evangelical Christian, shortly after I began looking into the Orthodox Church. At that time it communicated to me that something profoundly spiritual was going on in this church of "smells and bells," robes and formal liturgical worship. It introduced me to the mystery of God, and made me realize that it was important to spend less energy talking about and trying to understand God, and to spend more time getting to know him in prayer. This is where I first encountered the idea that theology in the strict sense of the word is "the contemplation of God himself."

It was this book that explained the importance of the Trinity, not only as part of the Nicene Creed, but that God has been Trinity since before the book of Genesis, and a proper understanding of him will drive how we commune with him. My first reading introduced me to new terms and concepts: apophatic approach (saying what God is not rather than what he is), apatheia (dispassion), passion (any disordered appetite or longing that takes possession of the soul), nous (spiritual intellect), nepsis (watchfulness, sobriety and wakefulness), theosis (deified, or "christified," or "made sharers of the divine nature" [2 Peter 1:4]), and the difference between the "essence" and "energies" of God.

Now, seven years after I began "checking out" the Orthodox Church, and four years after coming home to Orthodoxy, I found myself rereading this volume (revised edition) and discovering how much went right over my head. This time I paid closer attention to the many quotes from liturgical texts, Church Fathers, saints, mystics, monks, historians and theologians. It made me appreciate how much Bishop Kallistos is writing from a rich tradition, that has become my tradition, and how that this Orthodox way, is The Spiritual Way. For fear that this last statement may sound sectarian, it should be noted that this volume has been endorsed by a number leaders and authors outside of the Eastern Orthodox tradition.

God wants all to come to know him, and this volume can introduce the reader to a Way that is well mapped out, but sadly, not often traveled. May God grant me the ability follow this way more closely.

On a closing note, at the time I write this review, Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" is in the theaters, and causing many to discuss the significance of Jesus' death on the cross. "The Orthodox Way" has perhaps the best brief summary of what Jesus accomplished by his passion and death on the cross, not to mention his birth, life, teachings and resurrection, which are all part of the story.

I first read this book five years ago, and I still remember how uplifting it was. I'd always experienced theology as an intellectual struggle, but this book showed me that theology can be a deep, existential experience of God. As it did so, I saw clearly why Orthodox Christianity does not suffer from the theological diseases of the West. Of course, they have their own problems, but theology isn't one of them. In short, this book revolutionized my view and experience of Christianity. Amazingly perhaps, it's had this effect on other people as well.

Let me describe some other similar books, to help you find what you're looking for. Ware's book "The Orthodox Church" introduces Orthodoxy to a Western audience, briefly covering history and some of the more common misunderstandings Westerners have. Though a little dry, it's most people's first book on Orthodoxy. Another very good book by the same author is "The Inner Kingdom," a collection of essays on various topics. In it, he doesn't cover the fundamentals of Orthodoxy, but he addresses many issues (such as environmentalism, death, confession and so on) in greater depth. And perhaps the best book on Orthodox theology is Olivier Clement's "Roots of Christian Mysticism," which makes the heart and depth of ancient Christian tradition accessible to modern readers. Hopefully one of these books is what you're looking for!

(p.s. In case you are wondering, I am not Orthodox.)

Bishop KALLISTOS (Ware), famous for his companion volume "The Orthodox Church", presents in this offering a comprehensive approach to Orthodox spirituality. While "Church" deals with the history, organization, structure and basic theology of the Orthodox Church, "Way" is concerned exclusively on the Orthodox spiritual life -- the Orthodox "way" of spirituality. Having said that, since Orthodox theology is in its essence mystical and closely related to spirituality, KALLISTOS' book covers much spiritual theology from the Orthodox perspective. This is not a complicated treatise for experts, but a readable, usable guide for everyone wishing to uncover the incomparable glories of Orthodox spirituality. A tremendous guide to Orthodoxy "from the inside out".

A modern day classic of the highest quality. Bishop Ware covers the absolute basics or Christian philosophy such as God as Mystery, God as Trinity, God as Creator, God as Man, God as Spirit, and God as Prayer. He gives complete and full logical basis for each teaching, belief, and action of the Orthodox, and non-Orthodox Christian.

It reminds me of "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis in which he tells the story of how he went from a vehement opponent of religion in general, especially Christianity, to an Anglican Christian through philosophy. Not that Ware tells the story of his conversion, but that both of them use are utmost in their philosophy which flows so naturally and purely that it couldn't just be from humans.

One of the main reasons (aside from historical reasons) I converted to Christianity instead of Islam, Hinduism, Deism, etc, (the list goes on at the religions I considered, researched, etc. some more than others though) is because the first was so much more philosophical, contemplative, logical, and filled with love, while retaining the utter unattainable, unknowable, and unfathomable greatness of God. It was as if everthing just clicked together, the entire essense and meaning of the Gospels permeated and elimenated the 'contradictions' that are seen when they are viewed in a shallow, ultra legalistic and literal sense. I realized they were written to expound a meaning and essense of love, not to be a code of laws like the Qur'an is for Muslims, or the Constitution is for hicks; to be viewed in a legalistic, shallow way, taken at face value, and not having a meaning past the words on the page.

All I can do is to recommend this book, if it were within my abilities I would give a copy to every person I meet and bid them read it again and again and again

I was on my way to becoming Orthodox when I first read this book; by the time I completed it, I had no doubt that being Orthodox is the "way" I want to live my life. Fr. Ware helps the reader understand the mysticism of Orthodoxy--often labeled the "quiet religion." Most important, I got a better understanding of what it really means to be a Christian.

Orthodoxy can be a difficult subject for Protestants and Catholics to understand. This is due to the Western, compared to the Eastern approach in viewing Christianity. While the west generally likes things in neat rational-concrete catagories, the east is generally able to except the mystery of God and focus their efforts in that area.

Bishop Kallistos Ware, a Protestant Convert to Orthodxy, has written this book in a very easy-to-read style. He writes concisely (maybe at times to concise) which does not overburden the average Western reader. I would have personnaly like a little more in-depth analysis in certain areas, but this was not his purpose. It has caused me to study some ideas even more and I think that may have been the purpose. To give a clear meaning aboutthis cherished religion, and for those who desire further study, to do so.

All the chapters are well written: God as Trinity, creation, man, spirit, prayer, and eternity. At times trying to understand the view point may be difficult, but this is due to a cultural make-up in approaching philosophy and theology. An outstanding text.

While I am an Evangelical Protestant, I have enjoyed this book tremendously. Often, when reading various passages, I felt that this book should be re-named "The Christian Way" because of the orthodox truths presented. REMEMBER: "orthodox" is an adjective "Orthodox" is an important branch of Christianity (and one of the most ancient one).

While this book is not a systematic theology of the Orthodox Christian Faith, it does expound on a lot of the beliefs held in common by all Christians and by orthodox Christianity. The author discusses various ways of looking at God or understanding God:
1. God as Mystery
2. God as Trinity
3. God as Creator
4. God as Man
5. God as Spirit
6. God as Prayer
Epilogue: God as Eternity

Each chapter has descriptive sub-chapter titles, plenty of references, and ends with a compilation of sayings and words of wisdom. A complete and extensive bibliography, list of authors, and subjects reflect the depth of Bishop Kallistos Ware's writing.

For those of you who may be intimidated by the word "Orthodox" in the title, I would mention that the style of Kallistos Ware is non-polemical, but rather padagogical and inspirational. A great companion to this book would be the "Orthodox Church" by Timothy Ware (name before becoming bishop) or Daniel B. Clendenin two books on Eastern Orthodoxy.

This is one of Bishop Ware's best! It is a great intro to Orthodox Theology. However, do not expect to find much history or ritual details. It is mainly an introduction, and touches on the fundamentals. Being an ex-Vineyard Church youth pastor, I especially liked his spiritual approach to theology, which seems to have been lost by most western theologians. I found myself in tears and full of the holy spirit reading this book! It's a must read! -Yes, I am an Orthodox convert.

In this luminous volume, theology is made to sing!

The Orthodox monk-bishop Kallistos Ware has given us a lovely gift, scholarly and accessible, inviting us to the loftiest of heights. God is explored under the various aspects of Mystery, Trinity, Creator, Man, Spirit, Prayer, and Eternity. Voices are summoned from the distant past and from the immediate present, from West and East; a truly "catholic" book, an inspiration, yes; but more, a re-vivification for those sensibilities that might be slumbering under the deadness of custom. "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light" (Ephesians 5.14).

Bishop Kallistos gives us an Orthodoxy that is receptive to other traditions, but mutely and benignly aware of its own excellence. He gives us a picture of the Invisible God, Who is the Source and Summit of all love, beauty, mercy, goodness, purity and truth. This is not the offering of a modish "personality" here to give us an absolution from every challenge, nor is it the hectoring of some reactionary suspicious of every vicissitude; no, this is a book of light and of life.

We cannot think of a reason why any reader would not be grateful for the incalculably precious blessing that is THE ORTHODOX WAY.

This book is often considered a companion text to The Orthodox Church. While that book discussed the specifics of Orthodox doctrine, it did so in a somewhat vanilla manner. The Orthodox Church is meant to be a very basic overview. This book, while not going into the depths of thought of people like V. Lossky or St. Justin Popovich, goes a bit deeper than The Orthodox Church into the spiritual profundity of the Orthodox faith. The chapters are on Mystery, Trinity, Creator, Man, Spirit, and Prayer... all as it relates to God; all about God being these very things.

This is not to say that this book is totally a theological book about God; there certainly is mention of God's creation. But this book, like Orthodoxy itself, is God-centered. While the Orthodox Church gives the basics of Orthodox doctrine and practice, The Orthodox Way does a better job at putting Orthodox doctrine and practice within their proper context. For those who have an interest in Orthodoxy, this book is a necessary read.