Light Through Darkness: The Orthodox Tradition (Traditions of Christian Spirituality) (Paperback)

by John Chryssavgis (Author), Philip Sheldrake (Editor) "Two moments in my life encapsulate, in my mind and in my heart, the content of Orthodox thought and spirituality..." (more)
Key Phrases: spiritual elder, desert fathers, Mount Athos, John Climacus, Holy Spirit (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Orbis Books (November 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570755485
• ISBN-13: 978-1570755484
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #736,549 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Showing the beauty of Orthodox contemplation, prayer and silence, but with environmental hangups, October 5, 2008

By	Christopher Culver - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Nowadays, when people speak of "spiritual" exploration, they often have in mind the esoterica of Eastern religions or the fuzzy nebulosity of a personal faith that they try to reconcile with science at the same time as hoping for something beyond the physical world. The Traditions of Christian Spirituality series tries to show that there is just as much "spiritual" richness in the Christian tradition as in anything exotic and trendy. I don't know how true that is in other bodies calling themselves Christian, but in LIGHT THROUGH DARKNESS author John Chryssavgis makes his strong case that the Orthodox Church has precisely the kind of wisdom and beauty that the spiritual seeker needs.

Chryssavgis shows how Orthodoxy aims for spiritual transformation and union with God in all its facets. He speaks of the meaning of the liturgy and sacraments, personal prayer and contrition, the not always silent "silence" of the monastic life, and the role of a spiritual father in guiding the individual believer. I especially like his use of quotations from the Desert Fathers with stunning insight, which shows that Orthodox Christianity has wisdom far beyond the Zen koan.

I have only two complaints about the book. The first is that, though this series ostensibly is meant to show seekers that Christianity is worth exploring, the book seems to already assume a great deal of prior experience with the Christian tradition. I just wish that it were written at a level a bit more general. My second complaint is the frequencies of Chryssavgis' references to environmentalism. Chryssavgis is the theological advisor to the Ecumenical Patriach on environmentalism, and has written many texts pointing to a love of the natural world among the Fathers. However, here he makes it seem that environmentalism is a major part of Orthodox Christian practice, while in fact in the lives of the average believers (even Fathers) it is very much subjugated with the much more urgent task of the salvation of human souls. Linking the Orthodox Church with the environmental movement may win it some positive attention from modern secularists, but it risks distorting the actual life of the Church.

This book would seem to work best as some thought-provoking moments for the Orthodox Christian believer who wants to better appreciate the focus on a relationship with God in his own tradition.

3 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Look into Christian Mysticism and Orthodoxy, April 22, 2006

By	W. Samson "Enjoys the Simple things in life!" (North Dakota) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Interesting read for anyone that wants to learn more about Christian Spirituality and Mysticism