The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to the Teaching and Spirituality of the Orthodox Church

by Hilarion Alfeyev

Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso

Genres: Religion, Theology, Christianity, Faith, Spirituality

267 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Powersamurai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good introduction to the Christian Orthodox Church, not only for non-Orthodox, but also Orthodox Christians, themselves. A lot of Christians leave their respective churches looking to Asian spirituality for the tools to find their inner selves, but it is right there in Christianity--Orthodoxy.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely superb. This book made me realize that although I've been practicing a different Christian faith for years, I've held Orthodox beliefs in my heart my whole life. "The Mystery of the Faith" was recommended to me as a part of my catechumen studies into Eastern Orthodoxy, and I'm so happy to have it my library. I will definitely read it again in the future.

[Marc Pearce · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it’s obvious that the writer is a very intelligent person, who is well versed in the subject matter, for me, the book was written at a very scholarly level, and maybe too “deep” or high a level as an introductory book for those new to Orthodoxy. It did have bits and pieces here and there that I found to be interesting, but overall, I just wasn’t into this book. Reading it was like doing work, and because of that, it took me forever to finish it. It was like examining Orthodoxy on a molecular level, in my opinion. I’m good knowing the general overall concepts, and fine to understand that much, and leave it at that. I’m not saying that this was a bad book at all. It was very well researched, and had plenty of back-up from various Church fathers, to support all of the explained concepts. However, for me, it’s depth was more than I felt was necessary for me personally, to know. For others, it may be right what they are looking for, and judging from other reviews, that certainly seems to be the case. So, maybe it’s for you, and maybe it’s not. You’ll just have to read it, and decide for yourself.

[Ricky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would say most of the first 5 chapters are alright, besides the continuous citing of the cojdemned heretic, Origen. I just don't understand the implicit endorsement of an anathematized person (I don't care what Fordhamites have to say about this) when we have so many other great theologians who are actual SAINTS. His attempt for wanting to distinguish himself from the West has caused him to greatly neglect a few hundred years of Russian Orthodox theology and even depart from the traditional teachings on the Church. His opinions on marital sexual relations, ecclesiology and ecumenism are abismal and not in line with the teachings of the Saints. He has thrown the Council fathers under the bus by saying that all of these 1000+ years of groups becoming schismatic and leaving the Church have been due to simple misunderstandings. He also takes shots at the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, which I'm guessing he was not expecting would be in communion with them a few years later.

I did really learn and enjoy a few sections of the book, but some of the things in this book just do not allow me to recommend this to anyone.

[Lucas Valverde · Rating 5 out of 5]

O livro resume muito bem os principais conceitos da Ortodoxia. Não há comparação direta com o Catolicismo ou com as principais denominações, já que não é esse o propósito da obra.

Além das ótimas explicações do autor, ainda há embasamento em diversas obras de grandes personalidades da Igreja, dentre eles São Macarius do Egito, São João Crisóstomo, São Simeão, o Novo Teólogo e grandes homens como o Hieromonge Seraphim Rose e São João Maximovitch, além das citações dos Apóstolos e de versículos.

A obra é muito bem embasada e explicativa, trazendo conclusões que facilitam a compreensão da Escritura do ponto de vista da Ortodoxia. Não demanda conhecimento prévio, mas recomendo que quem vá lê-lo saiba pelo menos o básico do Cristianismo. A partir dessa obra já anotei mais alguns livros que desejo ler. O livro é uma ótima porta de entrada, mesmo que você não planeje seguir como ortodoxo. O vocabulário não é complicado.

Ótimo livro, vale muito a pena ler.

[Heinz Reinhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book my priest wished me to read as I make my way into the Russian Orthodox Church. Written originally in Russia, this wonderful English translation provides a tremendous resource to not just Orthodox Christians, but also to those of other confessions curious about the First Church.
Father Alfeyev, in writing this book, has made the perfect balance between the heartfelt and the theological, neither too much of either, and he backs up all of his points both with Scripture, but also numerous writings of a great many of the Saints.
This was an excellent book, one I look forward to rereading at some point, and possibly passing on to a friend curious about Orthodoxy.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. It’s written by a brilliant man with an amazing ability to lift the veil of the five senses to peer into the beauty and truths of the spiritual life Not always an easy read but worth the effort. I found myself highlighting much of the book and writing many “wow’s” in the margins!

[Caden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good introductory material, I enjoyed it

[Speculargloss]

skimmed

[Atack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good introduction to Orthodoxy

[Coleen--Marie Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually re-reading. Truly one of the lights of 20th century Orthodoxy.

[Patricia Pryor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and well written. A good resource for anyone wanting to learn about the Orthodox church.

[Kira Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective on the truths of the Christian faith. Very short, quite enjoyable.

[Luke H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the Orthodox faith