"I must say The Consolation of Theology is the cornerstone of Jonathan Hayward's collection of The Best of Jonathan's Corner. It shows mature poetic/song ability that serves to soften and enrich the text, presenting the ideas in a different form than common essay type narrative.  His theological and technological background is demonstrated with symmetry.  The writing is long enough to give depth and reiterate subtle points, even parallelism, one would expect from a great work.  Well worth the invested time for people at all levels of ability!"

ForewordBy Sydney Nicoletta W. Freedman
The Best of Jonathan's Corner: An Anthology of Orthodox Christian Theology is a book that provides not only a good introduction to the author's work but also a dose of the clear thinking and spiritual wisdom prescribed for our times. The author lives to create treasure, and he has mined, refined, and gathered wisdom for our age. It is not new knowledge, but rather, it has been artfully distilled from the writings of Church Fathers and his own life, from study and experience.
The pieces in this book speak with clarity about spiritual topics and with depth about practical ones, addressing the intrigues and issues that we all face, explore, and question. Orthodox Christian readers will find insightful discussions of art and worship, such as Lesser Icons, and lucid, applicable discussions of the spiritual life, such as God the Spiritual Father. This Eastern Orthodox perspective may shed light on matters for readers from other traditions as well. Such is especially true for pieces on such timely issues as economic hardship (Money, and The Best Things in Life are Free) and the discussion of religion and science, including "Religion and Science" Is Not Just Intelligent Design vs. Evolution. Regarding this latter work, a Roman Catholic reader recently deemed it to be one of the 'most intelligent and erudite' things that he has ever read. The essays on silence, the place of technology, and nature are treasures among the discussions of such popular and important issues. For those concerned with Orthodox theology and where it stands in relation to other denominations, An Open Letter to Catholics on Orthodoxy and Ecumenism is profitable reading.
Illuminating reflections on the Christian life, including An Author's Musing Memoirs and Maximum Christ, Maximum Ambition, Maximum Repentance, crown the theological articles, stemming from Hayward's experiences and vast knowledge of Orthodox theology. The homilies, articles, commentaries, and essays in this book are treasure enough, but the talented writer has also included numerous creative pieces.
The work that stands out most among the creative pieces, perhaps among all of them, is that which opens the book, The Angelic Letters. I have had the pleasure of reading nearly all of Hayward's writings, and I was delighted that he undertook to write such a work. Readers who are familiar with C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters will recognize at once that it is the very book which that author desired, but felt unable, to write in order to balance the demonic correspondence. It is a mark of Hayward's skill, knowledge, and spiritual insight that he has successfully written something that such a theologian as Lewis did not wish to attempt, and according to a psychologist of his acquaintance, the average Harvard PhD has not ever met someone as talented as Hayward. He has of course accomplished this work with God's help, but one must realize the spiritual struggle, mental effort, careful study, and deep prayer that has gone into every piece in this anthology. Hayward has done much work for us. He has grappled with questions and problems that many of us face, but we may not feel that we have the resources to confront them. We therefore can find within these pages words that will perhaps directly answer some of our questions and certainly facilitate the difficult but necessary task of learning and discerning that we all must carry out, each is he is able. I am privileged to introduce some of the fruit that has come from the author's efforts to complete this task himself so that all may benefit from both its example and its contents. May it leave seeds of knowledge in all who read. This author has gathered pearls for us, and may we gladly look upon them. They hold glimmers that can reflect our lives.

The Best of Jonathan's Corner: An Anthology of
Orthodox Christian Theology
Christos Jonathan Seth Hayward
C.J.S. Hayward Publications
ASIN: B0072ZX512           $9.75      amazon.com/Best-Jonathans-Corner-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0072ZX512       jonathanscorner.com
 
Christos Jonathan Seth Hayward's kindle e-book THE BEST OF JONATHAN'S CORNER: AN ANTHOLOGY OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY is a new release recommended for any Christian theology reader and addresses spiritual issues of special concern to any Orthodox Christian. Discussions range from art and worship to the unique Eastern Orthodox perspective on leading a spiritual life and blend essays with poetic and spiritual reflections from Jonathan'sCorner.
 
Author Christos Jonathan Seth Hayward "lives to contemplate God, and worship his glory": that said, he discusses the many ways this feeling can be reflected by 'creating treasure' in life; one of which is Jonathan's Corner, an online storehouse of spiritual thinking.
 
"There are treasures everywhere" - spiritual insights, that is - and THE BEST OF JONATHAN'S CORNER is one of them.
 
From an interview discussing "the damned backswing" and category theory's math and relationship to spirituality to the lovely reflection "The Gospel is the storyof God changing the game", poetic, spiritual and intellectual observations blend in a series of discourses that are delightfully varied in scope, subject, and insights.
 
One wouldn't expect the epic poem 'A Pilgrimage From Narnia' to accompany an essay discussing theological 'trick questions' in 'Two Decisive Moments'; nor a spiritual hymn 'Akathist Hymn to St. Philaret the Merciful' to be juxtaposed with a chart analyzing basic philosophical and spiritual questions, Orthodox Christianity, Academic Theology, and Modern Science.
 
Each piece is a delight: partially because each 'speaks' using a different voice and partially because a diversity of topics and cross-connections between theology and everyday living makes the entire collection a delight to read, packed with unexpected twists, turns, and intellectual challenges.
 
Fans of C.S. Lewis and similar Christian thinkers will find THE BEST OF JONATHAN'S CORNER: AN ANTHOLOGY OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY an absolute delight. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Christos Jonathan Seth Hayward wears many hats as a person: author, philosopher, theologian, artist, poet, wayfarer, philologist, inventor, web guru, teacher. Some have asked, "If a far lesser C.S. Lewis were Orthodox, what would he be like?" And the answer may well be, "C.J.S. Hayward." Hayward has lived in the U.S., Malaysia, England, and France, and holds master's degrees bridging math and computers (UIUC), and philosophy and theology (Cambridge), as well as an advanced certificate from the Sorbonne. --This text refers to the paperback edition.