<p>This book is among the finest critiques of the Enlightenment's ways of knowing, coupled with a winsome description of a distinctly Christian alternative. Responding to what he sees as a "division and fragmentation" both in theology and the larger culture due to "the one-sided way we have come to seek and recognize truth...manifest in the way in which all concern with truth has been relinquished to the sciences," Louth sets out to describe the source of that fragmentation and to challenge the notion that we must "accept the lot bequeathed to us by the Enlightenment." He carefully reviews central themes of several precursors who have already forged a critique of the epistemological imperialism of the Enlightenment, principally Giambattista Vico, Wilhelm Dilthey, and Hans-Georg Gadamer, who in distinct ways demonstrated the legitimacy of the humanities' unique apprehension of truth. Further relativizing Enlightenment claims, Michael Polanyi proposed that science itself depends on non-empirical elements of investigation for its method to function, what he termed "the tacit dimension." It is here that Louth sees a "pattern underlying the apprehension of truth" that is strikingly similar to that of the Fathers of the Church, who set forth an approach to knowing and experiencing truth that ultimately can be "seen and heard and handled" (1 John 1:1-3), but only by those who reside in the bosom of the Church's tradition and avail themselves of ways of knowing unique to it. Louth's rather brilliant rehabilitation of the Fathers' use of allegory in scriptural interpretation, which interweaves Scripture and tradition seamlessly, illustrates this approach. The matrix of allegory requires and manifests the "tacit dimension" of the guidance of the Spirit, and underlines the theologian's need to hear Him. Or as Evagrios of Pontus might put it, "Knowledge of God-the breast of the Lord. To recline there-the making of a theologian."</p>

Discerning the Mystery

Religion & Spirituality

Andrew Louth

Christian Books & Bibles

Eighth Day Press

<p>The Philokalia is unrivaled in importance among Orthodox ascetical writings. Yet like the Scriptures themselves, it is a collection of texts complex in origin and transmission, written over a period of a thousand years and assuming of its readers an intimate familiarity with its vocabulary and presuppositions. Orthodox Spirituality and the Philokalia is perhaps the only book entirely devoted to describing the essential elements of the tradition that gave birth to the Philokalia and then nourished its teaching generation after generation. It is a work-the first to appear in English by Placide Deseille-of profound scholarship and devotion, historical narrative and topical anthology. The historical sections begin and end the book, offering a succinct outline of Orthodox spirituality as it relates to what Deseille calls "the philocalic tradition," from St. Anthony the Great up to the present day. The concluding discussion highlights the fragmented but fascinating presence of that tradition in the Christian West. The centerpiece of Deseille's work is the anthology with commentary, arranged according to themes such as deification (related to both Christology and anthropology), the sacraments, hesychastic prayer, mercy and charity, spiritual warfare, purity of heart and contemplation. Deseille, a Cistercian priest become Orthodox monk, offers here the fruit of a lifetime's scholarship and existential pursuit of what it means to live as a contemporary of the Fathers, a fellow pilgrim with them in the journey "toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."</p>

Orthodox Spirituality and the Philokalia

Placide Deseille

Published in French in 1959 and later translated in Polish, Italian, Spanish and Greek, this monumental study is now finally available in English.  Paul Evdokimov (1902-1970) is one of the preeminent Orthodox theologians of the last century.  He has been aptly called "a theological bridge between the East and the West."  As a Russian, he belonged to the Eastern Orthodox Church Church but spent most of his life in France, where he emigrated after the Revolution.  He dedicated himself to instructing the West about the Orthodox tradition through conferences, counseling, books, articles and the example of his own life-- a life of service not only to the Church, but also to neighbor.  As a layman, Evdokimov believed strongly in the priesthood of all believers.  As a scholar, he produced over one hundred articles, mainly for learned religious journals, and wrote twelve books.  His entire theological vision centered on the living God, the risen Christ and the Spirit that is poured out on all flesh.

"Evdokimov's theology commands our unreserved admiration for its vast range of interests.  It branches out into literature, psychology, philosophy and art.  Another outstanding characteristic is the balance of its emphasis on various aspects of the Christian mystery: Christ, the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.  Evdokimov's eschatological vision also allows him to relate the various disciplines of theology together, so that dogmatics, morals, lituurgy and spirituality all appear as organically and intrinsically connected.  The result is a living knowledge, a synthesis of knowledge and communion, mind and heart." (Peter Phan, Distinguished Professor, Georgetown University).

Orthodoxy: The Cosmos Transfigured

Paul Evdokimov

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Eighth Day Press publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Eighth Day Press

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Eighth Day Press publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Discerning the Mystery

Orthodox Spirituality and the Philokalia

Orthodoxy: The Cosmos Transfigured