The Living God: A Catechism for the Christian Faith

by Olivier Clément, Olga Dunlop (Illustrator)

The Living God brings together Scripture, theology, iconography, hymnography, feasts and liturgy in a fully integrated manner. Originally written in French as a catechism for the family, thisEnglish edition provides a simple way to explain or understand thesources of the Church s revelation. A seeker poses questions,representing those of many believers, and a sage answers,articulating the Church s explanation to those questions. Volume I contains the period from the Creation through the Resurrectionof Christ. Volume II begins with the feast of Ascension, continuesthrough the Book of Revelation, and concludes with the Sacraments ofPrayer in the life of the Church. Both volumes are illustrated withmusical examples and color and monochrome reproductions of icons. Recommended in Seton Home Study Grade 10 Author: M. Olivier Clement (Author) and Olga Dunlap (Translator) Format: 2 volumes, paperback, 472 pages Publisher: St. Vladimir s Seminary Press ISBN: 9780881410402

Genres: Christianity, Theology, Religion, Spirituality

472 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Olivier Clément was a French theologian and convert to Orthodox Christianity who taught at St. Sergius Institute in Paris.

He was born in 1921 in the south of France. In his youth he was a non-believer. As he grew to maturity, he became influenced by a number of Orthodox theologians in France, notably Vladimir Lossky and Nicholas Berdiaev, eventually receiving baptism at the hands of Fr Evgraph Kovalesvky, later Bishop Jean-Nectaire of Saint-Denis.

Although a committed school teacher, Clément was most devoted to his work at the St Sergius Institute and to his writing. His work was wide-ranging — from poetry to literary criticism, philosophy to theology, and extended to book-length interviews with figures such as Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras and one of his successors, Bartholomew.

The most widely distributed of Clément's many books was perhaps his introductory work on the Orthodox Church in the popular Que sais-je? series, first published in 1961 and now in its seventh edition.

Clément also enjoyed friendship and entered into dialogues on major spiritual themes with a number of imminent personalities including Patriarch Athenagoras, Pope John Paul II, the priest and theologian Dumitru Staniloae, and the brother Roger of Taizé.

Modest, kindly and balanced, and supported faithfully by his wife Monique, Clément worked selflessly to unite Christians of different backgrounds, to unite France’s various Orthodox communities, and to inspire readers and listeners with a love of the Orthodox tradition which, he believed, would enrich the whole Church.

Reviews

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was first exploring Orthodoxy, my Godsister-to-be loaned me this set of catechism books. I was blown away by the way that the hymns, scriptures, and feasts were included as teaching tools. It is still a good refresher lo these many years on!

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my introduction to Orthodoxy five years ago at the recommendation of my first spiritual father, the priest that brought me into the Orthodox Church. With a faith that has little in the way of "official" catechism, I think this humble series still serves to introduce the Christian faith to any inquirer or person seeing knowledge of the Living God. It's walk through the life of the Church via scripture, history, liturgics, hymnography, and iconography is second to none in a modern english language catechism.

Highly> recommended to any inquirer into the Orthodox Faith.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have only read through the first Volume so far, but found it to be comprehensive and easy to read. I enjoyed the Seeker/Sage back and forth as many of the questions were ones I would pose myself. I felt this explained things in further detail, especially as someone studying the Bible for the first time, as there are many questions that require background to answer. This book does this for sure. I was recommended it by my priest from the Ukrainian Catholic Church and it surely helped me on my journey.

[Justin Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

BLUF: Not much new or discussed better than already discussed in The Law of God by Serafim Slobodskoy or We Hokd These Truths by OCA. It did have a few pieces worth learning, especially in the appendix section of Volume 2. Best for people with no previous catechism experience. Will re-read the appendix a few more times.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to any serious member of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. My only criticism is that the sage/seeker format is applied inconsistently. The author too often drifts into long, didactic passages without probing questions from an incredulous seeker.

[Rachel Stubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned about my new religion so I think that’s good.

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my 3rd read through this book - done for a group study. I generally like the book and its emphasis, but it inconsistently uses a seeker-sage approach to some questions. Presents information in a more interesting format than a mere Q and A catechism. Some of its answers are "dated" reflecting a particular worldview of Orthodoxy relating to questions being raised by Western Christian scholars.