Turning the Heart to God

by Theophan the Recluse

One of the most profound works on repentance in all of Christendom. St. Theophan, a beloved Orthodox bishop from nineteenth-century Russia, speaks not only from a deep knowledge of the Church Fathers, but also from a lifetime of experience in turning his heart to God-and guiding others on this glorious Way that leads to our salvation. His writings are unique in that he combines centuries of Church wisdom with keen psychological insights for us today. Repentance is not a popular term here in the West, yet it is the cornerstone of the Lord's gospel, and the entrance into God's kingdom. Turning the Heart to God is a manual of true spiritual transformation in a world of often cheap grace . . . a classic book that has the power to change our lives, if we let it.

Genres: Spirituality, Christianity, Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Theology, Church

180 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2001

About the author

St. Theophan the Recluse, also known as Theophan Zatvornik or Theophanes the Recluse (Russian: Феофан Затворник), is a well-known saint in the Russian Orthodox Church. He was born George Vasilievich Govorov, in the village of Chernavsk. His father was a Russian Orthodox priest. He was educated in the seminaries at Livny, Orel and Kiev. In 1841 he was ordained, became a monk, and adopted the name Theophan. He later became the Bishop of Tambov.

He is especially well-known today through the many books he wrote concerning the spiritual life, especially on the subjects of the Christian life and the training of youth in the faith. He also played an important role in translating the Philokalia from Church Slavonic into Russian. The Philokalia is a classic of orthodox spirituality, composed of the collected works of a number of church fathers which were edited and placed in a four volume set in the 17th and 18th centuries. A persistent theme is developing an interior life of continuous prayer, learning to "pray without ceasing" as St. Paul teaches in his first letter to the Thessalonians.

Russian profile: Феофан Затворник

Reviews

[Max Berendsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what I needed during this first week of Great Lent. Phenomenal work on what repentance means in the relationship between human beings and their creator.

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within the last year or so I've been discovering the ancient Christian writers, thanks to the Philokalia podcast I stumbled upon. Having not been raised Catholic or Eastern Orthodox, I have been mostly ignorant of the early Christian fathers' writings. Saint Augustine's Confessions is perhaps the closest I've come.

What I find most refreshing about these early Christian writers, is their unrelenting awareness of their thoughts - the quality of them, why they are thinking what they are thinking, whether it's beneficial or sinful, etc - including checking their motives in every thought, word, and deed.

I would go so far to say that Theophan makes sure that the reader is devestatingly, despairingly aware of their sinfulness and fallen nature, before even allowing the very last chapter about how Christ has forgiven him/her in their repentance. Even then, he assures the reader that rejoicing and relief should be fully realized, but also brief - for the guarding the heart is an ongoing practice until death.

I have felt that cheap grace is rampant in the Church today. It is refreshing to read the fathers such as Theophan, who offer stark, true reminders that the grace of God is not only not cheap, but in fact it is priceless.... and then asks us: how are we to respond to that, exactly?

[sch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dec 2022. Gift from a friend. 75 pages in: a manual for repentance, harrowing and gracious by turns. It is full of old, biblical truths, but seems somehow modern. Offers a coherent and urgent account of the soul, turning on the threefold analysis of mind, will, and heart, perfected by truth, goodness, and beauty. Want to read THE PATH TO SALVATION, from which this volume is excerpted. Also want to *practice* the book.

Jul 2021. Recommended by a colleague.

[Rex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, short book, yet extremely deep on its spiritual counsel from none other than the Hieromonk and Bishop St. Theophan the Recluse of Russia. While this shortened version, is an extract from his main book The Path to Salvation, this book is extremely useful for its copious footnotes on references from scripture as well as to the literary nuances of the translated words from their Russian original, which adds a lot of meaning and understanding to a foreign reader, such as me. St. Theophan comes out extremely practical, as a Spiritual Advisor, with his deep counsel, although, his is deeply rooted in his faith tradition (Holy Orthodoxy).

[Dorotheos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye-Opening Book

[Colm Alton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book on the topic of repentance from an Eastern Orthodox perspective. I think this is the kind of book that I would need to read again, as the language used to talk about topics like repentance, the conscience, forgiveness and salvation is very different to what I’m used to. I give it three stars for the psychological analysis of what happens during the process of repentance and as a interesting introduction to Eastern Orthodox thinking. I found myself however at times uncomfortable with his use of self condemnation and his high view of fear and shame when drawing near to God. But maybe as I read more books on Eastern Orthodoxy I will be able to understand this thinking better.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible wisdom from St. Theophan in this book. Who knew that there was so much to know about repentance. This is one that we could all benefit from a regular reading of.

It’s not a large book, but parts of it do get pretty dense. As the translators note, the original Russian is very challenging, and they tried their best to keep the complexity in the English, so the product feels a bit difficult at moments to keep a grasp of. Slowing down on those sections to digest what St. Theophan is explaining would be wise.

Highly recommend!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear. Applicable. Challenging.

St. Theophan writes insightfully on the process of drawing near to God. With clarity, humility, and abounding wisdom gained from personal experience he draws us a map of the human heart as we experience grace and struggle to respond appropriately. He knows well the pitfalls and detours we'll all face as we stumble along the road of life. His words can be a guide that that pull us back to our feet if we're willing to listen to his strong but gentle advice.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprising and information guide to repentance written in the 19th century filled with practical advice. I found some of the footnotes distracting, although some were helpful and interesting. The translators have a clear interest in noting where the Russian text diverges or offers insights that the English does not.

[Marina Nicolas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound. Humbling. Eye opening.

[John-Francis Friendship · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to how we are to grow into the fullness of our humanity from a master of the Orthodox way.

[Josh McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, practicable, and so succinct in communicating eternal truths.

[Jeremiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the practical work of the lifelong repentance of life in Christ, this version is the abridged version of the Path of Salvation by St Theophan, I enjoyed this one better than the other one because this one is very succinct and can be read like a textbook.

[Adrian Fritzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is by far one of the best works of repentance I have ever read. It lets the christian examine himself in a way that he can change his sinful ways. I would recommend this book to anyone who is seeking to become Christian or someone who is trying to get a fresh start. It certainly helps you get out of the rut that life seems to help us make. My copy of this book is marked up with some many notes it is hard to read. This book says a lot about the human condition.

[Mick Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definitive guide to the process of turning your heart to God. I think this book can help Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, born again Christians, Mormons, and all other Christians to do as the author says - reach the point where no earthly thing possesses you - where you can be hidden with Christ in God.

[Connie Backus-yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

It opens the heart to its many secrets and intricacies. I worried, I cried, I prayed. unfortunately, I'm still the same person I was before I read it. It's like eating a very satisfying nourishing meal, but forgetting the very next day what the particulars of the meal consisted of, much less knowing how to make that meal again .

[Elizabeth White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book at least twice; the first time it did not leave a lasting impression, the second time it moved me deeply. A must read for anyone whose heart is growing cold or stagnating in lukewarmness.

[Jameson Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transformational.

[Prophet Elijah]

BX382 .F445713 2001