The Orthodox Church : an introduction to its history, doctrine, and spiritual culture / John Anthony McGuckin.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This important work offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of the Orthodox Church available, providing a detailed account of its historical development, as well as exploring Orthodox theology and culture Written by one of the leading Orthodox historians and theologians in the English-speaking world Offers an in-depth engagement with the issues surrounding Orthodoxy's relationship to the modern world, including political, cultural and ethical debates Considers the belief tradition, spirituality, liturgical diversity, and Biblical heritage of the Eastern Churches; their endurance of oppressions and totalitarianisms; and their contemporary need to rediscover their voice and confidence in a new world-order Recipient of a CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title for 2009 award

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

McGuckin (Union Theological Seminary and Columbia Univ.) offers a scholarly, encyclopedic, and challenging introduction to Orthodox Christianity. McGuckin has published numerous specialized studies on Orthodox belief, and the text and its footnotes and bibliography reflect his deep reading in the Church Fathers and his mastery of both the "classics" of Orthodox theology and the growing field of contemporary Orthodox scholarship. The volume provides forthright explanation and advocacy of Orthodox beliefs without ever losing sight of the gap that exists between Orthodox theology and vision, and the often-inadequate ways in which individual Orthodox Christians actually practice this faith. The book thus seeks to illustrate how from the Orthodox perspective faith, worship, and life must be inextricably intertwined: the long and often elaborate church services proclaim a theology that must be lived--a sort of lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi. The volume's detailed, comprehensive treatment will require and repay a careful reading. Sadly, its hefty price tag probably will consign it to the reference room. Summing Up: Essential. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. G. P. Cox Gordon College