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The Orthodox Faith: Doctrine
A tall, narrow book with a blue cover, part of a 4-volume series. The author, a priest of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)was a long-time professor and dean at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. He is well-known for his ability to accurately express complex truths of theology and spirituality in everyday language. This series is designed to give instruction in the basics of the Orthodox Christian faith to inquirers and catechumens. It has been widely used in many Orthodox jurisdictions since first published in 1971. Volume One has three major 1. The Sources of Christian Doctrine (revelation, tradition, Bible, liturgy, councils, fathers, saints, canons, church art) 2. The Nicene Creed explained in detail 3. The Holy Trinity
152 pages
First published January 1, 1981
12 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Hopko
48 books33 followersThomas Hopko is an Orthodox Christian priest and theologian. He was the Dean of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary from September 1992 until July 1, 2002 and taught dogmatic theology there from 1968 until 2002. Now retired, he carries the honorary title of Dean Emeritus. Father Hopko is a prominent Orthodox Christian lecturer and speaker, well-known both in Orthodox and ecumenical circles. He has several podcasts on the internet radio station for Orthodox Christians called Ancient Faith Radio
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 1, 2010
I have never had the Christian faith so thoroughly explained to me before. Includes church history, arguments for why they believe as they do, etc. Much more in depth than most Evangelical church statements of faith and doctrine.
May 1, 2019
The best introduction into Orthodox Theology that I could think of. Despite its length and depth of subject matter, everything was easily grasped and understood. The explanations of the Holy Trinity are better than I could hope to write and the explanations of what doctrines really separate Orthodoxy from other Christians was invaluable to me as a Catechumen.
April 4, 2015
Excellent introduction series for newcomers to Eastern Orthodoxy. My parish uses these to train catechumans.
July 3, 2021
Quarantine-Book #57:
I just finished "The Orthodox Faith: Volume 1; Doctrine and Scripture," by Thomas Hopko.
(If you can stomach reading electronic The Orthodox Church of America has made this quite easy reading set avaliable for free:
https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-ort... )
I've been wanting a deep dive ST of the Eastern/Greek Orthodox church (henceforth EO). I found it in this 4 Vol layout, though it seems odd to me: Doctrine and Scripture, Worship, Church History and Spiritually.
His framework for the presentation is the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, a first for me; I have only ever seen the Apostles creed used for layout.
I like the approach of this book. Beginning with Revelation Hopko immediately points to Jesus as the pinnacle, with a yeah, yeah, the prophets and nature are revelation but Jesus is The Word of God.
I found the section on Tradition, liturgy, councils, etc to be very interesting. This is my first real exposure to the tradition being used in this broad a sense. The rest I've had a bit of exposure.
All interpretation in the Orthodox Church is Christocentric. Also, interestingly, a single book of the gospels are on the altar rather than bound in with the rest of Scripture (amen).
The Imago Dei for man is to be like Christ since He is God-Man; I must say, the EO has the best and most simple understanding of the Imago I've heard. Under "Man" he stated Christ as the new Adam and the church as the new Eve. While not explicitly stated in scripture, yeah, I get it.
Sin, evil, devil, suffering and death are the five that in EO theology go together. These--post fall--lead to the corruption of the world and the reign of Satan...but no formal original sin and no depravity.
"Even those born this very minute as images of God into a world essentially good are thrown immediately into a deathbound universe, ruled by the devil and filled with the wicked fruit of generations of his evil servants," p 63.
It seems the Eastern and western difference here is kinda nature v nurture.
Under "Son of God" I'm just going to congratulate him and own this: he expressed the eternal generation of the Son etc etc without going heavy Greek substance Metaphysics (overtly) and in plain language better than any Orthodox or orthodox writer to date. Period. Yeah, that link above, click it.
The first aspect of the atonement is enlightenment. This has a subjective sound to it while at the same time an indwelling sound. So maybe both: the Spirit indwelling and we see truth to make a change. Second it the high priestly sin offering for all men. The ransom was not to the Devil or Deity but more subjective, so that man might recieve newness of life. There is the destruction of death by Christ's death.
Coverage of the resurrection was good: who arose was not exactly the same as who was killed; He was glorified.
His coverage of the trinity is, like the rest, in as plain a language as possible. Very good coverage. I can see how some would toss the tritheistic label at the EO but I don't think it holds water. This was a great section that was as descriptive as I have read.
This was very good and since it is free to you I think you should give it a test drive especially on the person of Christ and the trinity.
#EasternOrthodox #ThomasHopko #Hopko #Dogmatics #TheOrthodoxFaith #StVladimirsSeminaryPress #StVladimirsSeminary
I just finished "The Orthodox Faith: Volume 1; Doctrine and Scripture," by Thomas Hopko.
(If you can stomach reading electronic The Orthodox Church of America has made this quite easy reading set avaliable for free:
https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-ort... )
I've been wanting a deep dive ST of the Eastern/Greek Orthodox church (henceforth EO). I found it in this 4 Vol layout, though it seems odd to me: Doctrine and Scripture, Worship, Church History and Spiritually.
His framework for the presentation is the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, a first for me; I have only ever seen the Apostles creed used for layout.
I like the approach of this book. Beginning with Revelation Hopko immediately points to Jesus as the pinnacle, with a yeah, yeah, the prophets and nature are revelation but Jesus is The Word of God.
I found the section on Tradition, liturgy, councils, etc to be very interesting. This is my first real exposure to the tradition being used in this broad a sense. The rest I've had a bit of exposure.
All interpretation in the Orthodox Church is Christocentric. Also, interestingly, a single book of the gospels are on the altar rather than bound in with the rest of Scripture (amen).
The Imago Dei for man is to be like Christ since He is God-Man; I must say, the EO has the best and most simple understanding of the Imago I've heard. Under "Man" he stated Christ as the new Adam and the church as the new Eve. While not explicitly stated in scripture, yeah, I get it.
Sin, evil, devil, suffering and death are the five that in EO theology go together. These--post fall--lead to the corruption of the world and the reign of Satan...but no formal original sin and no depravity.
"Even those born this very minute as images of God into a world essentially good are thrown immediately into a deathbound universe, ruled by the devil and filled with the wicked fruit of generations of his evil servants," p 63.
It seems the Eastern and western difference here is kinda nature v nurture.
Under "Son of God" I'm just going to congratulate him and own this: he expressed the eternal generation of the Son etc etc without going heavy Greek substance Metaphysics (overtly) and in plain language better than any Orthodox or orthodox writer to date. Period. Yeah, that link above, click it.
The first aspect of the atonement is enlightenment. This has a subjective sound to it while at the same time an indwelling sound. So maybe both: the Spirit indwelling and we see truth to make a change. Second it the high priestly sin offering for all men. The ransom was not to the Devil or Deity but more subjective, so that man might recieve newness of life. There is the destruction of death by Christ's death.
Coverage of the resurrection was good: who arose was not exactly the same as who was killed; He was glorified.
His coverage of the trinity is, like the rest, in as plain a language as possible. Very good coverage. I can see how some would toss the tritheistic label at the EO but I don't think it holds water. This was a great section that was as descriptive as I have read.
This was very good and since it is free to you I think you should give it a test drive especially on the person of Christ and the trinity.
#EasternOrthodox #ThomasHopko #Hopko #Dogmatics #TheOrthodoxFaith #StVladimirsSeminaryPress #StVladimirsSeminary
April 16, 2019
An excellent introduction to Orthodox belief.
April 13, 2021
We are reading these books for our church classes. They explain the Orthodox Christian church and its beliefs, history, origins of Christianity and so much more.
May 6, 2022
Excelente, muy claro todo.
October 7, 2024
Great starter to the summary of the faith.
February 20, 2025
An amazing introduction to the core teachings of orthodox christian theology. Any newcomer to orthodoxy should read this book to deepen their knowledge and cultivate their love of faith.
November 15, 2008
This is an exemplary introduction to the world of Orthodoxy. I come from a mix of Protestant traditions and more or less made Catholicism and Orthodoxy out to be the same thing in my mind. Father Hopko simply and powerfully conveys how Orthodoxy is both unique and ancient in its traditions. Really helpful. I highly suggest it.
January 9, 2016
This brief volume is a great introduction to the doctrine of the Orthodox Church. I highly recommend this for catechumens and those interested in what the Orthodox Church teaches. Fr. Hopko uses the Statement of Faith (Nicene/Constantinopolitan Creed) to outline what the Church teaches and holds to be the Orthodox Faith.
August 27, 2015
A Protestant leading towards to Orthodox. This book definitely helps to understand their actual doctrine. There are something that I had been taught wrong within the Protestant camp. This clears up the everything I need to know.
August 9, 2017
Fantastic introduction to Orthodox doctrine that explains and helps one to appreciate without being difficult too comprehend.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews