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Indication of the Way into the Kingdom of Heaven: An Introduction to Christian Life
Originally published in the Aleut (Eskimo) language in 1833, this book is a simple yet challenging introduction to Christianity from one of the greatest teachers of the Russian Orthodox Church: sainted Russian Bishop and missionary Innocent Veniaminov. Timeless and universal, this updated edition—which includes a new section entitled "Points for Reflection" at the end of each chapter—discusses what it means to know God and have a relationship with Jesus. It will appeal to those seeking to understand their own faith more fully.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1833
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July 8, 2023What a great intro. At first it is simple but not striking, and one recalls that he learned and wrote this in Aleut just to share this with the natives. But from page 19 to the end at page 80 it really picks up momentum and power, as if he was learning Aleut by leaps and bounds by divine energy. It is hard hitting and sometimes, for example about laziness in the last chapter, funny at the same time. He is both fierce and gentle in his simplicity. It shouldn't fail to inspire you to do something more for the Hope beyond all hope.
August 26, 2024
Though there is many good and wise words, and much to be agreed with, the beauty of this book is stained by the same faults of much of EO theology over the centuries. Even if Innocent does not deny salvation outside the Easten Orthodox church, he does in this work say to deny it is to be denied the Holy Spirit. There is also the same issue of the conflating of justification and sanctification. With that I cannot rate this book highly, for there is nothing in this book that can be found in the true catholic and orthodox faith taught since the days of the primitive church.
March 7, 2013
Why are we here on this earth? Is there more to this life than this? These and many others are questions that man struggles with in this world. Indication of the Way into the Kingdom of Heaven attempts to answer these questions and provide an introduction to the Christian life. This book was written by St. Innocent of Alaska, who not only developed an alphabet (Aleut) for natives in Alaska, but also had the Bible and other religious works translated into this language. That's some effective evangelism!
There are only four chapters in this book, but each chapter gets progressively longer as the information becomes deeper. In the first chapter, the reader (presumably a new Christian) learns about the blessings we gained from Jesus' death. This is something the seasoned Christian will already know, but it is definitely essential for the new Christian to know that it is only through Jesus' death that we can receive forgiveness of sins and the eternal reward of Heaven. We do not gain either of those by our own power.
We then move onto a chapter about how Jesus lived and suffered. This is followed by a chapter that discusses the way to Heaven. In one word, it's Jesus. That is the simple answer, but we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him. That is easier said than done. The last chapter deals with how Jesus helps us and that is through the Holy Spirit. However, we can only receive the Holy Spirit through purity of heart, humility, listening to the voice of God, prayer, daily self-denial, reading and listening to the Holy Scripture, and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
This is a great little book for the beginning Christian or possibly even someone questioning Christianity or considering conversion to Christianity. Don't let it's size fool you though. It is packed with information, and each chapter contains questions to reflect upon which provide further assistance. Even the person who has been a Christian all their life will find merit in reading this book. I wish I had read this book in my late teens/early twenties. So pick up this 5 star book from Holy Trinity Publications today!
There are only four chapters in this book, but each chapter gets progressively longer as the information becomes deeper. In the first chapter, the reader (presumably a new Christian) learns about the blessings we gained from Jesus' death. This is something the seasoned Christian will already know, but it is definitely essential for the new Christian to know that it is only through Jesus' death that we can receive forgiveness of sins and the eternal reward of Heaven. We do not gain either of those by our own power.
We then move onto a chapter about how Jesus lived and suffered. This is followed by a chapter that discusses the way to Heaven. In one word, it's Jesus. That is the simple answer, but we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him. That is easier said than done. The last chapter deals with how Jesus helps us and that is through the Holy Spirit. However, we can only receive the Holy Spirit through purity of heart, humility, listening to the voice of God, prayer, daily self-denial, reading and listening to the Holy Scripture, and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
This is a great little book for the beginning Christian or possibly even someone questioning Christianity or considering conversion to Christianity. Don't let it's size fool you though. It is packed with information, and each chapter contains questions to reflect upon which provide further assistance. Even the person who has been a Christian all their life will find merit in reading this book. I wish I had read this book in my late teens/early twenties. So pick up this 5 star book from Holy Trinity Publications today!
November 19, 2020
Delightful little volume. Took me a bit to nail down the intended audience--it's not potential converts, but new Christians learning how to live as Christians, and why they should--but once I'd figure that out it helped the reading experience considerably.
This volume is split into four chapters of increasing length and depth, each ending in a set of "Points for Reflection." Those might work better in a group setting, in my opinion. For the rest, some of the metaphors are a bit overworked, but the underlying theology is sound. The last two chapters were especially insightful.
This volume is split into four chapters of increasing length and depth, each ending in a set of "Points for Reflection." Those might work better in a group setting, in my opinion. For the rest, some of the metaphors are a bit overworked, but the underlying theology is sound. The last two chapters were especially insightful.
May 3, 2015
A great introduction to the faith and teachings of the Orthodox Church. St. Innocent writes with clarity and simplicity without sacrificing theological truth. The new edition also comes with discussion questions making it very useful for study groups.
October 28, 2023
Reflection on The Way of St Innocent
While it has been a topic of some obvious extensive interest for quite a few years, seemingly from only a recent observation that this was lacking in the Orthodox Faith of the last few centuries, this work indicates that the concern for preaching the gospel and living it out has been at the forefront of Orthodox Spirituality for hundreds of years. I recall when the first few articles about the apparent lack of evangelization in the modern Orthodox Church came out and seemed to spread like wildfire across the Internet. I was even a part of spreading them. It seemed to me then that the Orthodox Church has been quite silent about the pathway to the Kingdom of God for at least the last few centuries, and those entering into the Church were mainly doing so by miraculous providential happenstance (instead of by some active outreach on behalf of its members). The Indication of the Way into the Kingdom of Heaven: An Introduction to Christian Life was originally written in 1833 (and in Aleut!) and shows such evangelistic zeal as would normally only be expected from our American ol’-timey circuit riding preachers.
Not only does this clearly set forth an evangelistic message – namely, here is what Jesus has done for you and what He now expects in return – but it also describes in heartfelt and joyful terms how to incorporate your life into God’s. That is, it is not just a “do this and get saved” message, but rather one that presents with urgent necessity a choice and then gives detailed encouragement on how to spread this choice to every part of the new Christian’s life, thus actualizing the Message and bringing real spiritual fruit to bear.
One initially gets the impression that this was written to those who were totally uninformed about the Christian message. Its presentation of the Gospel was simple, direct, and without “churchy” words or subtle discussions of dogma. But it also expands into instructions to those who are living their life, perhaps nominally members of the Orthodox Church, without much effect of the Gospel in their lives. It thus seems to speak pretty equally to those who are being welcomed into the Orthodox Church as adults, as converts, as communities (like the Aleut people for whom this was originally written), as well as to individual Orthodox Christians who have not ever taken their Faith seriously (perhaps like the Russian communities St Innocent was familiar with or was encountering in his missionary work).
It is broken up into four sections, 1) basic Gospel message, 2) basic teachings on who Jesus is, 3) what is expected of us, 4) how we can receive heavenly help on our path. This suggests a robust model for catechetical work in current Orthodox efforts toward Christianizing American people. It is not merely the Message, but does start there. It is not primarily all the dogma, but the most important points. It is not every single liturgical or “churchy” rule, but what is needed in the Christian life. It is not exhaustive on Orthodox Spirituality, but it emphasizes that the Spirit must be acquired. I’m not sure one can do better when the danger of overemphasizing any one of those for the Orthodox neophyte has proven a thorny problem, only apparent to get worse before it gets better.
There were some evident, even humorous, particularly Russian aspects to the Indication, for example, the emphasis of suffering being a requirement for the successful spiritual life. (Can there be anything more Russian than,” Yes, you will suffer. Enjoy it.”?). But St Innocent also gives a beautiful theodicy on why suffering is to be expected, and how to use it for joy and the acquisition of communion with God. His words here will likely be the one I use from now on when trying to explain the seeming contradiction between suffering in this life and Christ’s words, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
This work is obviously a classic, not only for its succinct description of the basics of Orthodox Christianity, but also for its universal message of what God has given to us, what He expects of us in return, and how we can be helped along the way. It is not written against Protestant, or against Catholics, or against any particularly contemporary heretical teaching. It is simply a timeless Gospel message, one any and indeed all Christians of any stripe should read and take to heart.
While it has been a topic of some obvious extensive interest for quite a few years, seemingly from only a recent observation that this was lacking in the Orthodox Faith of the last few centuries, this work indicates that the concern for preaching the gospel and living it out has been at the forefront of Orthodox Spirituality for hundreds of years. I recall when the first few articles about the apparent lack of evangelization in the modern Orthodox Church came out and seemed to spread like wildfire across the Internet. I was even a part of spreading them. It seemed to me then that the Orthodox Church has been quite silent about the pathway to the Kingdom of God for at least the last few centuries, and those entering into the Church were mainly doing so by miraculous providential happenstance (instead of by some active outreach on behalf of its members). The Indication of the Way into the Kingdom of Heaven: An Introduction to Christian Life was originally written in 1833 (and in Aleut!) and shows such evangelistic zeal as would normally only be expected from our American ol’-timey circuit riding preachers.
Not only does this clearly set forth an evangelistic message – namely, here is what Jesus has done for you and what He now expects in return – but it also describes in heartfelt and joyful terms how to incorporate your life into God’s. That is, it is not just a “do this and get saved” message, but rather one that presents with urgent necessity a choice and then gives detailed encouragement on how to spread this choice to every part of the new Christian’s life, thus actualizing the Message and bringing real spiritual fruit to bear.
One initially gets the impression that this was written to those who were totally uninformed about the Christian message. Its presentation of the Gospel was simple, direct, and without “churchy” words or subtle discussions of dogma. But it also expands into instructions to those who are living their life, perhaps nominally members of the Orthodox Church, without much effect of the Gospel in their lives. It thus seems to speak pretty equally to those who are being welcomed into the Orthodox Church as adults, as converts, as communities (like the Aleut people for whom this was originally written), as well as to individual Orthodox Christians who have not ever taken their Faith seriously (perhaps like the Russian communities St Innocent was familiar with or was encountering in his missionary work).
It is broken up into four sections, 1) basic Gospel message, 2) basic teachings on who Jesus is, 3) what is expected of us, 4) how we can receive heavenly help on our path. This suggests a robust model for catechetical work in current Orthodox efforts toward Christianizing American people. It is not merely the Message, but does start there. It is not primarily all the dogma, but the most important points. It is not every single liturgical or “churchy” rule, but what is needed in the Christian life. It is not exhaustive on Orthodox Spirituality, but it emphasizes that the Spirit must be acquired. I’m not sure one can do better when the danger of overemphasizing any one of those for the Orthodox neophyte has proven a thorny problem, only apparent to get worse before it gets better.
There were some evident, even humorous, particularly Russian aspects to the Indication, for example, the emphasis of suffering being a requirement for the successful spiritual life. (Can there be anything more Russian than,” Yes, you will suffer. Enjoy it.”?). But St Innocent also gives a beautiful theodicy on why suffering is to be expected, and how to use it for joy and the acquisition of communion with God. His words here will likely be the one I use from now on when trying to explain the seeming contradiction between suffering in this life and Christ’s words, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
This work is obviously a classic, not only for its succinct description of the basics of Orthodox Christianity, but also for its universal message of what God has given to us, what He expects of us in return, and how we can be helped along the way. It is not written against Protestant, or against Catholics, or against any particularly contemporary heretical teaching. It is simply a timeless Gospel message, one any and indeed all Christians of any stripe should read and take to heart.
January 9, 2023
One of my most fruitful reads ever.
A short book, but you'll want to take constant notes.
He has an excellent summary of Luke 9:23 and Matthew 16:24 "if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."
He calls it the 3 Duties of a Christian Disciple. Here is the excerpt online - read it. http://andronicus-athanasia.org/takin...
- Deny himself - Repent of sin. Put away bad habits. Practice denial of urges. Do not cherish bad thoughts, but chase them away with prayer.
- Take up his cross - "external crosses", bear all unpleasant and painful external circumstances without complaint, but with joy and love.
Then, he explains "internal crosses" as well, which was one of the most important and succinct expositions I've come across. Essentially he explains the seeming paradox of holy men seeing themselves more and more as the worst of sinners, but not in a self-pitying despairing way, but in a way of true humility that gives you faith and hope. This section is very helpful for discerning humility without falling into despair. Also helpful for combatting the idea that Christianity demands that you 'demean yourself' and seeing the faith as a hot-bed for mental illness. (Many people are hurt by teachers being too harsh. The section of this book isn't a description of how to pastor, but a description of what you will go through once you begin to really confront yourself).
God allows you to see more and more of yourself, but only so much as you can bear. Gradually lifting your blindness - this process can be painful and fearful. But God is with you, and this internal suffering serves to purify you and increase your humility and love for God and others. The Holy Spirit will then comfort you - this is the path of the great saints who experienced the Light and joy of God. And it's a process we all go through to one degree or another.
Go read the passage itself - much better laid out than my attempted summary.
- Follow me (Christ) - pray always. Humility. Obedience. Carry out service and all work with willingness and diligence. Glorify and praise God in public and private. Wish good for all, do good to all, including your enemies. Bear all offenses. Do not seek praise from others.
St. Innocent also has an excellent section on the Holy Spirit, what He bestows, how we can draw close to Him. This answered some questions I've had recently on the role of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity.
A short book, but you'll want to take constant notes.
He has an excellent summary of Luke 9:23 and Matthew 16:24 "if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."
He calls it the 3 Duties of a Christian Disciple. Here is the excerpt online - read it. http://andronicus-athanasia.org/takin...
- Deny himself - Repent of sin. Put away bad habits. Practice denial of urges. Do not cherish bad thoughts, but chase them away with prayer.
- Take up his cross - "external crosses", bear all unpleasant and painful external circumstances without complaint, but with joy and love.
Then, he explains "internal crosses" as well, which was one of the most important and succinct expositions I've come across. Essentially he explains the seeming paradox of holy men seeing themselves more and more as the worst of sinners, but not in a self-pitying despairing way, but in a way of true humility that gives you faith and hope. This section is very helpful for discerning humility without falling into despair. Also helpful for combatting the idea that Christianity demands that you 'demean yourself' and seeing the faith as a hot-bed for mental illness. (Many people are hurt by teachers being too harsh. The section of this book isn't a description of how to pastor, but a description of what you will go through once you begin to really confront yourself).
God allows you to see more and more of yourself, but only so much as you can bear. Gradually lifting your blindness - this process can be painful and fearful. But God is with you, and this internal suffering serves to purify you and increase your humility and love for God and others. The Holy Spirit will then comfort you - this is the path of the great saints who experienced the Light and joy of God. And it's a process we all go through to one degree or another.
Go read the passage itself - much better laid out than my attempted summary.
- Follow me (Christ) - pray always. Humility. Obedience. Carry out service and all work with willingness and diligence. Glorify and praise God in public and private. Wish good for all, do good to all, including your enemies. Bear all offenses. Do not seek praise from others.
St. Innocent also has an excellent section on the Holy Spirit, what He bestows, how we can draw close to Him. This answered some questions I've had recently on the role of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity.
May 1, 2024
"Indication of the Way into the Kingdom of Heaven" by St. Innocent of Alaska is a remarkable introduction to Christian soteriology, offering clear and concise explanations of the faith's core beliefs. St. Innocent's articulate and accessible writing style ensures that readers of all backgrounds can grasp complex theological concepts effortlessly. What sets this work apart is St. Innocent's humility, as he acknowledges in the introduction that his insights are personal reflections rather than dogmatic truths. This reminder encourages readers to approach the text with discernment, adding depth to their exploration of Christian spirituality by reflecting the faith’s core value of free will. Overall, "Indication of the Way into the Kingdom of Heaven" stands as a commendable guide to the path of salvation, enriched by the author's humility and wisdom.
November 25, 2023
Absolutely wonderful book! If you are seeking truth and want to learn about Christianity, this is a fantastic place to start! St. Innocent lays out the pathway to salvation in such a clear, simple, and convicting way.
January 29, 2025
Wonderful little book. While it initially can seem elementary on the surface, St Innocent quickly picks up steam, both in content and in wisdom. It is as if in the writing of this book the Holy Spirit increasingly takes over the Saints hands.
December 28, 2022
A great and straightforward introduction to Orthodox Christian doctrine and beliefs. I really enjoyed reading this little book. This is something that anyone can read.
July 28, 2024
Very practical and enlightening. Highly recommend for those new to Orthodoxy
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews