Light from the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition

Front Cover
InterVarsity Press, 2007 M07 26 - 240 pages

The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards winner

"Do they really pray to icons?" "Why do they use incense?" "What do they believe?"

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.

 

Contents

Acknowledgments
9
Prologue
11
Historical Perspectives
19
Western Reactions
43
Orthodoxys Approach to Doctrine 6959
57
Talking About
59
The Creator and the Creation
87
Humanity as Created and Fallen
102
Going to Church
166
Icons
178
Tradition and Scripture
193
Prayer
206
Epilogue
216
For Further Reading
218
Name Index
225
Subject Index
227

The Accomplishment of Salvation
120
The Application of Salvation
132
What Is Grace?
155
Scripture Index
237
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Light from the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition
James R. Payton Jr.
Limited preview - 2009
Light from the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition
James R. Payton
Snippet view - 2007
Light from the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition
James R. Payton Jr.
No preview available - 2007

Common terms and phrases

accomplishment of salvation According to Eastern According to Orthodoxy Adam and Eve affirmation ancient Apophatic theology application of salvation biblical Byzantine centuries Christ CHRISTIAN EAST Christian faith Christian message Christian thought church fathers communion created nature creatures creeds Crestwood culture death declared deification developed distinction divine energies divine essence divine grace divine nature Eastern Orthodoxy ecclesiology emphases Empire eternal evangelical glory God’s grace Greek church fathers Gregory of Nyssa Hellenistic Holy Spirit human nature humankind iconodules iconophiles icons incarnation intellectual Jesus Prayer John of Damascus last Adam LIGHT logos Lossky negative theology offers Ortho Orthodox Church Orthodox perspective Orthodox teaching Orthodox understanding Orthodoxy's practice present Protestant question recognize relationship religious imagery resurrection Roman Catholic significant speak Testament theologians theology theosis thodox tian tion treatment unceasing prayer Vladimir Lossky Vladimir’s Seminary Press West Western and Eastern Western Chris Western Christian Western Christian teaching worship

About the author (2007)

James R. Payton Jr. (Ph.D., University of Waterloo, Canada) is a professor of history at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario. He has studied and been in dialogue with Eastern Orthodoxy for many years, and has lectured and written extensively on Orthodoxy and Protestant-Orthodox relations. He is president of Christians Associated for Relationships with Eastern Europe.

Bibliographic information

TitleLight from the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition
AuthorJames R. Payton Jr.
PublisherInterVarsity Press, 2007
ISBN0830825940, 9780830825943
Length240 pages
  
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