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A Good Handbook for Orthodox Christians and the Scriptures

Revisado: 10-24-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

“All these sources allow access to the depth and riches of the biblical tradition, as these manuscripts represent just that: a tradition. The preservation of the text of the Scriptures is the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church… For Orthodox Christians, all these manuscripts represent a part of our shared scriptural heritage, and their study increases our appreciation of that heritage.”

For those converting to the Faith from Protestantism and Papal Protestantism; and for those in the Faith who have wondered what difference it makes between the Biblical translations: The Whole Counsel of God is a good, short handbook to guide one towards and appropriate approach to the Holy Scriptures.

I shared recently that I used to get hung up on “what the Greek says” or “what the Hebrew” is, making claims based on my study. This is so common among studious heterodox - with or without a degree - and is a symptom of hyper-individualism as Protestantism allows one to become an arbiter of truth and discernment concerning the Holy Scriptures.

Fr Stephen says, to the benefit of studious converts, that “language study is not even necessary for the average layperson to read the Bible seriously. In fact, a little language knowledge can be a dangerous thing… Many people choose to dabble in the biblical languages in order to help them understand the Scriptures. While their intent is good, they often over-interpret and over-apply the bits and pieces of Hebrew or Greek that they learn, yielding false insights. It is much better to read an English translation and live with an imperfect or less-than-detailed understanding of the text them to become confident in bad interpretations.”

He also discusses the various translations of Scripture, their development, and potential benefit. In case you’re wondering, he says, “[The Living Bible or the Message are] not suitable for the study of the Scriptures by Orthodox Christians. In many cases, in attempting to simplify, they distort important theological points concerning, for example, the Holy Trinity and the person of Jesus Christ.”

The Orthodox Church has preserved Tradition with Scripture, as a circular icon for our lives and praxis. With lots of well-written information, I recommend this book for those who have a propensity for ‘headiness’ approaching Scripture, and for the simple-minded simply wanting to better understand what there is to be found in our Holy Scriptures.

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Wonderful for Orthodox Women

Revisado: 07-06-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Seven Holy Women was a lovely book for me to read. I listened to the Audible version which was about 6 hours long. Each chapter was written by a different Orthodox woman differing in background. All but one of the authors read her chapter aloud in the audiobook. A consistency in writing is important, so each woman reading about the Saint she had written on were easy transitions between chapters.

What I appreciate about this book is that each chapter begins a fictional scenario of each Saint inspired by true events in their lives. Storytelling has always been the way traditions are shared and passed down through all of human history. A story can exaggerate a little for the sake of impressing the intent into memory while the whole truth remains intact. With the mention of each Saints’ name I have implicit memory of her life, her miracles, her martyrdom or repose, and why we commemorate her. St Cassilda, a Spanish Saint, reminds me of roses. St Morwenna reminds me of rocky paths and large stones. St Ia reminds me of a leaf.

Each Holy woman evokes something with which we are all familiar: death of a loved one; a situation we never thought we would be in; feeling left behind; a broken heart. All things that most, if not all, of us have experienced. The brilliance of each life shared is the faithfulness of God, and their courage to remain faithful to Him.

At the end of each chapter is a space for group discussion. Questions related to the life of each Saint are followed by reflection questions for oneself and one’s friend in the group in light of the themes in each Saint’s life. I will be joining together with two women in my parish to go over this book over the next two months and I’m really looking forward to that connection and discussion.

I recommend this book first and foremost for women, especially for a group of women. Men can also read these Saints’ lives, of course, and perhaps adapt the questions for a man; however I am sure there is a male counterpart to this book to be found somewhere (or someone could write it? 😉) The audible version was pleasant for me to listen to as a very busy, working mom.

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Lovely Gardening Memoir

Revisado: 07-04-21

The walk through Michael Pollan’s life and garden provides some profound perspective on what it means to steward life in its various facets. The views of weeds, the care of trees, and the development of the green thumb produces symbolism of a culture in its vegetation. Much like the writings of Thoreau, Muir, Berry, and other great horticultural and agricultural authors of the American interior, Second Nature beckons the reader/listener to consider ones own relationship with nature and how it so perfectly reflects the soul of the individual and the community in which it resides.

I very much enjoyed hearing about Pollan’s personal development as a gardener, and I have so much more symbolism to consider in my own development as a gardener. I recommend this book for amateur gardeners, especially, as well as for those who “have no green thumb” but admire the ways in which others can grow myriad living things, and for horticulturists who enjoy symbolic beauty.

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Short and Concise for Anyone

Revisado: 06-03-21

“When You Fast” is the perfect complimentary follow-up to the short and concise "When You Pray" by the same author.

Letendre explains the definition of fasting, what it means to fast, how to fast as the Church, in what way the heart approaches fasting, and the history of fasting in the Judeo-Christian Tradition of coming before God.

I would say that this little book is a good one for anyone new to the idea of fasting - in or outside of the Orthodox Faith. He refers to several non-Orthodox individuals to whom a greater multitude can relate. This will be good for the Protestant or Catholic who wants to exercise the discipline of fasting, one of the pillars of the Orthodox Faith; and it will be good for Orthodox faithful who wish to relate to non-Orthodox easily in such an important pillar of our asceticism.

With only just over an hour of listening time, and maybe not much more than that to read in print, I definitely think this concise, little book is a helpful resource for anyone wanting to deepen their pursuit of the fast.

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Crying

Revisado: 01-05-21

What a beautiful story of a man sharing personal experience of the the decline of farm towns through the twentieth century. This book is about what happens when Heaven is sold for “paradise.”

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Re-Read, Repeat

Revisado: 01-01-21

This is the best parenting book I’ve ever read. Dr. Mamalakis is firm and gentle in his encouragement and gives ample of Scriptural and Patristic emphasis to Orthodox parenting. I’m already listening to it over again!

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Timeless

Revisado: 10-02-20

The discourse of Screwtape with his nephew Wormwood is uncanny representation of even our current times. I hold the opinion that most, if not all, of my contemporaries would benefit from listening to Lewis’ timeless lessons concerning the soul and spiritual realm in light of war, temptation, and education. The reader was perfect fit for such a reading. His expressiveness was exemplary in certain parts of conveying disgust of devils against the pious. Overall, incredibly good read and I look forward to listening several times over in the future.

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