The Inner Kingdom: The Collected Works

by Kallistos Ware

This is a revised and expanded version of a book that has appeared in French, Italian, and Greek. It focuses on themes central to Eastern Christian worship and spiritual life and serves as an introduction to the series of six volumes of Bishop Kallistos' collected works. The opening chapter recounts the author's journey to Orthodoxy. The next two chapters provide profound and illuminating insights on death, bereavement and resurrection in Christ, and on repentance. Chapters four through seven invite us into the world of the desert ascetics and hesychast monks. Combining scholarly rigor with practical counsels on prayers, Bishop Kallistos makes the wealth of the Orthodox tradition accessible to today's Christians. The next three chapters concern personal vocation, martyrdom, spiritual guidance, and the strange path of the fool for Christ's sake. There follows a brief essay on time and eternity. The final chapter is a challenging discussion of Origen and Ss Gregory of Nyssa, Isaac the Syrian and Silouan the Athonite, and in conversation with them Bishop Kallistos asks, 'Dare we hope for the salvation of all?'

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

230 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

About the author

His Excellency, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia (also known by his lay name, Timothy Ware) is a titular metropolitan of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Great Britain. From 1966-2001, he was Spalding Lecturer of Eastern Orthodox Studies at Oxford University, and has authored numerous books and articles pertaining to the Orthodox Christian faith.

Reviews

[Michael O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting collection of the writings of Bishop Kallistos Ware who passed away nearly 3 years prior to the date of this review, one of the most notable writers and thinkers of Orthodox Christianity in modern times.

He covers a wide variety of topics: his conversion to Orthodox Christianity in England during the 50s at a time when it was then primarily concentrated in expatriate communities in the UK; repentance; worship; prayer; and time.

In addition, he discusses the phenomenon of Orthodox Christianity known as "fool for Christ". I had mixed feelings on this. What this refers to is usually someone, devoted to Christ inwardly, but who defies social conventions such he or she often comes across as crazy or insane, yet manifests occasionally clairvoyance or profound spiritual insight. This seems to be peculiar to regions with Orthodox majorities ---- some of the behaviors manifested by some of these individuals if done in the West likely would result in that person being arrested, beaten up, or committed to a mental facility --- to be honest. I did get the take away that anyone living Orthodox may be thought a "fool for Christ", but I don't think that's in the same category as clearly mad behaviors Ware describes from some of these individuals mentioned in that chapter.

Another controversial writing by Bishop Ware is the doctrine of "universal salvation", first advanced by the early Christian writer Origen, pronounced heretical by the Church. The doctrine holds that, over time, all souls will ultimately be saved from damnation --- the righteous immediately so after death, the fallen over time, perhaps, for some, after aeons of torment and purification. Ware seems very sympathetic to the doctrine, even arguing seemingly in its favor, a remarkable view for an Orthodox bishop, but then clarifies that, while we cannot affirm that "all must be saved", since this is beyond our knowledge as mortal created beings, we can surely hope and pray that all may be so.

Overall, an interesting book covering a wide variety of Christian topics. I recommend it for Orthodox Christians, particularly those interested in Bishop Ware's many writings.

[Youhanna William · Rating 5 out of 5]

من اجمل و اعمق الكتب التي قرأتها في الفترة الأخيرة .. جدد مفاهيمي و رد على تساؤلات كثيرة كانت تجري بأعماقي .. استطاع المؤلف بنجاح ان يتواصل معي في كل فصل من فصول الكتاب حتى الفصل الرابع بالرغم من كونه بعيدا عن حياتي ..

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very approachable collection of essays by Metropolitan KALLISTOS. A dear friend said that in her copy, it falls open to the essay on Death. I can see me returning to that essay again and again, but I also found the chapters on repentance, Holy Fools, and Salvation to also be keepers.
An excellent read, excellent resource. I know this will not be my only reading.

[Justin Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely readable collection of essays by the famous author of The Orthodox Church, probably the most influential introduction to the Eastern Tradition written in English. That being said, this is not an introduction to the Orthodox Church, but rather a collection of very well researched essays on various topics from an Orthodox point of view. What I particularly appreciate about these essays, besides their accessibility, is their reliance on the orthodox tradition and their emphasis on contrasting viewpoints and ideas that easily stand alongside each other (sometimes seemingly at odds) within that same orthodox tradition. Of special interest to me were the chapters on death and universal salvation. The book opens with a brief account of his conversion to Orthodoxy and journey to the priesthood that many will find interesting.

[Michael Lujan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first books I read on my journey into Orthodoxy. I mistook it for an introduction to the faith, which it is not, not at least formally. But it served as a good introduction for me personally, by way of showing me where my previous very general spiritual beliefs (based largely on the Traditionalism of Rene Guenon and Julius Evola) were given flesh and bone by Orthodoxy, and where they were mistaken (his discussion on the Resurrection was especially instructive in the latter regard). It stands on its own as a great collection of essays united by a love for God expressed through Holy Tradition, and each essay also easily stands on its own, so the chapters can really be read in any order.

[Bishoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sensational read! The book is composed of 12 detailed and well researched essays that discuss how did Metropolitan Ware come to Eastern Orthodoxy, repentance, spiritual guidance, prayers, eschatology, time, martyrdom, and the fools in Christ. I would highly recommend it be read under guidance as it is very detailed, dives into the essence of many things noted above from different angles, and can be quite difficult for younger readers. This book sparked a true sense of wonder, I will definitely revisit many sections of it again.

[Bola Aziz · Rating 5 out of 5]

من اجمل واعمق الكتب الروحية التي تتكلم عن هدوء وصمت القلب الداخلي ... فالقول الافتتاحي لذلك الفصل من الكتاب لن انساه ابدا ...
ان الحقيقة الالهية لا تكمن في الكلام ، بل في الصمت ، في هدوء القلب ، حيث نثبت بعد عناء طويل ...

[Remon Talaat · Rating 5 out of 5]

قليله هي الكتابات التي تُعري الارثوذكسيه لحقيقتها وتغوص ف اعماقها وفهمها من نسكها ووليتورجيتها..
تجربه حيه لفهم تدبير اباء الكنيسه وتدبير نظام الكنيسه دون الجمود والقانونيه العاقره المعروفه عن الكنيسه..
تاني قراءه لكالستوس وير وازدت حبا واشتاق لقراءه ثالثه ورابعه له

[DROPPING OUT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bishop Kallistos (Timothy) Ware's first book, The Orthodox Church (Penguin, 1963) was his first book I read 25 years ago on the recommendation of a friend who was an Orthodox Christian. The book was revised ten years ago and is due for a re-visit. Before I do so, I decided to dip into The Inner Kingdom, the first of a projected six-volume set of his collected writings. In the past 45 years Bishop Ware has penned dozens of articles and given who-knows-how-many-lectures on every aspect of Orthodox Christianity, and it is a joy to read this volume. He writes with ease and clarity, making initially daunting theological concepts simple to comprehend. The essays on approaching death, on prayer, on silence, on the "fool of God," on the meaning of Time and Eternity ... Heck, I might as well list them all! - are not only intellectually edifying, they are spiritually inspiring.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writings of Kallistos Ware have made me completely re-evaluate my previous contempt for the Christian church. After reading The Orthodox Way I was hungry for more of his down to earth, yet intellectual Christian writing, and luckily enough was able to borrow another of his books from the same guy who let me borrow the first. This one is more of a collection of individual writings more than any sort of narrative that was in TOW. I love the author's down-to-earth writing style, and highly recommend this book to anyone.

[Nisreen Nisto · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب و ترجمة اكثر من رائعة.

كتاب روحي دسم و عميق جداً ورد على كثير من تساؤلاتي

[Mariam Nashaat · Rating 5 out of 5]

نحن وضعنا علي الارض لفترة قصيرة لنتعلم ان نحتمل اشعة الحب

[Luke Newcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easily readable, yet without sacrificing deeper theological topics or talking down to readers. Bp. Ware knows how to communicate important topics in a fascinating, engaging way.

[Rebecca Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful, especially enjoyed the last chapter.

[Thomas Coletto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Metropolitan Kallistos Ware is one of my favorite authors and this book does not disappoint!

[Amos Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kallistos Ware does not disappoint. He has depth and is acquainted with the deepest spiritual traditions of Christianity. This book and "The Orthodox Way" are an excellent introduction to his writing. In this book I particularly appreciated his treatment of elders in Orthodox Tradition and his words about the Eighteenth Century Russian hermit, Seraphim of Sarov, whose life and witness have numerous similarities with Anthony of Egypt fifteen centuries earlier. These two giants echo the depths of Christian spirituality. There were passages in this book that I read and re-read. I am delighted to have discovered Ware and highly recommended him to others, especially Protestants who want to get to know more about our Orthodox sisters and brothers.
-Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots)

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure for Orthodox Christians and an approachable read for those who want to learn about theological topics from Eastern Christianity. Bishop Kallitos includes essays on "the mystery of death and resurrection; repentance, worship; wonder; prayer without ceasing and silence in prayer; martyrdom; the spiritual guide; time; and most insightful of all "dare we hope for the salvation of all." Do not be put off by scholarship. This book is written not only by one of the best minds in Orthodox Christianity today, but also by one of the most loving and compassionate of men.

[David Withun · Rating 4 out of 5]

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