Orthodox Dogmatic Theology: A Concise Exposition

by Michael Pomazansky, Seraphim Rose (Translator)

Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky's Orthodox Dogmatic Theology has long been regarded as a standard source of Orthodox theology. Since its publication in Russian in 1963, it has been used as the main theology textbook at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, New York; and since the publication of the first English edition in 1983, it has come to be regarded throughout the English-speaking world as one of the best introductory books on Orthodox theology. Written clearly, simply and concisely, this modern-day classic is accessible not only to theology students but to the contemporary layman in general. As one deeply rooted in the tradition of the Orthodox Church, Fr. Michael quotes abundantly from the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Holy Fathers, being concerned to present, not human opinions, but Divine Revelation, which has been handed down to us as the Church s certain, unchanging teaching. EXPANDED THIRD In the first English edition, Fr. Seraphim added many substantive footnotes in order to provide clarification on certain points or to introduce helpful information not included in the main text. In this third English edition, yet more notes have been added, primarily consisting of quotations from the Holy Fathers, in order to further elucidate Orthodox doctrines. This edition also includes a new preface, a new bibliography, and an expanded index.

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

436 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[G Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I had read a fair bit of Orthodox literature, before I read this book. The primary reason is that Orthodoxy, by and large, does NOT do theology in the same method that the Western church has. Orthodoxy uses an apophatic (negative) approach over against the Western catophatic (positive) method. While there is a lot to be gained from this volume, it is clumsy in that it is trying to take Orthodox theology and explain it in Western categories. I have a lot of respect for Pomazansky and Fr. Seraphim Rose,and I would never discard anything they have to say... that said, I think that if you want to understand Orthdox dogmatics, there are better places to look... Romanides or even Staniloae. While there is a lot that can be gained in these pages, and looking past the "awkwardness" mentioned above, there are places where the book seems too sterile or abstract, too "cold and Russian" :), also this book, though large, is brief... so exegetical, historical and theological spade-work is somewhat minimal -- that all being said, it is an important volume and serves nicely as a "snapshot" of the "what" one will find in Orthodox dogmatics.

[Heinz Reinhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written translation by Fr. Seraphim Rose. This, the third edition I believe, has plenty of footnotes to further exposition on certain points within Fr. Pomazansky's treatise.
While not a Seminarian or a monastic, I read this of my own volition and found it to be highly useful, extremely edifying and even encouraging. One doesn't need to be a theologian to understand it, either. It is written, purposefully, to be understood easily by as many as can read it.
Should be within the library of any Orthodox Christian.

[Wesley Giesbrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best modern introductory texts to Orthodox theology.

[James R · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a reactionary sectarian book promoted by "True Orthodoxy" groups (as of 2021) as a reaction against "ecumenism" and all the ills they see in "World Orthodoxy" as they call it. This book is a large rant & criticism against heretics, Catholics, and liberals, so that the "true church" is only their small band of scattered true believers. They say all the main churches are heretical now, so it's just them and their handful of bishops, digging through old documents to give themselves credibility. This is the tried & true tactic of all cult leaders and sectarians for 2000 years. There are versions of this within Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Adventists, and Mormonism as well. Who knows how many scattered bands of cults exist around the world, all with their own version of truth & reality.

The Christian Church (the ones obeying the emperors & their hand picked bishops) had always been a living and current being, with obedience towards living bishops who are in communion with leaders of the world. Christianity since the 4th century was nothing but the religious wing of empire, with religion using dogmas as a cover for what they really are: emperor worship & obedience to kings & elites. They never really cared about dogmas & sin, that's just a nice cover for their true purposes of power & control over minds. They've attempted to whitewash history & clean up their act in previous centuries; don't buy it! Constantine is an Orthodox saint, and also a mass murderer & genocidal warlord (par for the course for emperors). The "baptism of Russia" as they call it is likely forgery, but in any case, the Russian emperor was also involved in genocide and forced conversions; another criminal & saint among many in the Orthodox Church.

These "True Orthodox" bishops today want you to believe they are the underground remnant church. Don't buy what these cult leaders are selling you; it's a trap. Breakaway groups & "true churches" are everywhere & this is nothing new.

This book is for "True Orthodox" believers, which is a similar group to the "Traditional Catholics" who are reactionaries, sectarians, and who think they're the "true church." If you ever visit any of these groups, you'll not see holy people, but instead angry reactionaries & cult members who aren't living a holy life (they're largely ignorant as well). Instead it's a bunch of cult leaders & people who want to live in compounds and talk conspiracies about "ecumenism" or "the papists" or whatever theory they have to show how everyone is a heretic, except themselves of course. These groups tend to shelter abusers of all kinds, and able to hide their crimes. Many of these types spin out of control, becoming churches of one or in bunkered compounds in the middle of nowhere (e.g. "Bishop Gregory" in Colorado) with a handful of followers around them. Please don't let yourself get hooked into groups like this, as tempting as it may be to find a "true church." Avoid the numerous bloggers who are the PR wing of these "true" or "traditional" groups. You do not need to isolate yourself & move to a compound in the middle of nowhere; Christians have never done something like this. Stay where you are; nobody needs to move. Live your life where you are and don't feel a need to uproot your life to follow a cult leader or a "true church" somewhere else. Also don't give the bloggers any attention; they're all hustlers and scammers.

I investigated "True Orthodoxy" of various groups, and I ended up rejecting the whole concept and avoiding all these groups, since they're just sects & cults. They point to the past and cherry pick evidence as needed to support their group, but isn't this the tactic used by all sectarians & heretical groups of the past? With mountains of books to choose from, any cult or sect can find evidence to support whatever position they want. Isn't it funny that all the various groups use the same documents, but come to radically different conclusions? They all have the same "Bible" and "Church Fathers" yet they call each other heretics & denounce everyone else. Avoid every single group that dabbles in this stuff. You see these people endlessly bickering over the centuries, each pulling out documents to prove their side, with nobody ever agreeing. Avoid all the churches; they're all liars & are trying to trick you with a mountain of documents.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and fairly thorough, though somewhat technical. One of the better introductions to Orthodox Theology.

[Joshua Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb exposition on the Orthodox faith in regards to its core theology. It covers everything you could imagine backing it up with the Scriptures and Church Fathers. I was also impressed with how well the book flowed, even though at times the topics discussed are lofty, it was a rather simple and digestible read. This is a good start for those simply wanting to have an overview of the Orthodox Christian faith.

[Griffin Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work is often used as a textbook for aspiring orthodox priests as they are pursuing their divinity degree.

It is comprehensive, systematic, and well-organized concerning the teachings of the Church, but includes little history.

[Steve Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Noooooo

It's excellent up until he goes on about toll-houses in one spot. I can't recommend this for catechism based on that :(

[Vitor Cortial · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am very grateful to Rev. Seraphim Rose and Michael Pomazansky for this work. Often, Eastern theology lacks a level of clarity and firmness in doctrinal statements. It is strange, for example, to read ten works on original sin in Eastern theology and find five different opinions, with three of them being poorly explained as simply a "mystery."

However, it also becomes clear that the EO (Eastern Orthodox) are unable to produce sound theology. They have essentially abandoned YHWH and completely replaced Him with Eastern mysticism (and yes, I am in the process of reading Romanides and Staniloae – but the conclusion remains the same). Their logical and scriptural arguments are terrible. Many times, it only takes three paragraphs for the author to contradict himself (such as in the chapter on relics, where the author claims on one page that we don't have veneration of relics or images of saints from the Old Testament because they were in "limbo," yet three paragraphs later, he uses poor exegesis to argue that 2 Kings 13:21 shows that, even though Old Testament saints were not in heaven, they could still perform miracles through their remains).

There are books that, despite stemming from poor theology, manage to construct arguments and provide at least a minimal foundation for their claims. This is not one of them.

[w gall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough exposition of Orthodox Christian dogmas. But I have to wonder whether or not one of the dogmas he defends is simply a theological opinion still subject to debate. I speak of the eventual purification (or not) of those whose life and works and faith were lacking or absent.This discussion has not been concluded, both among the Church fathers as well as among contemporary theologians. I personally believe that the results of the final judgment have not been revealed by God, and it is not proper to speculate about it.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would not recommend that book to orthodox Christians who read the Bible, go to church, and are seeking something to deepen their faith and knowledge. It is elementary and you might very well not learn anything new. I found it to be pretty much an exposition of the basic beliefs and practices of the Church using mainly the Bible, but not really going deeper than quoting Scriptures. That being said, I would recommend it to protestant inquirers looking for a biblical confirmation of orthodox beliefs and practices; it should be a good reference manual in that case.

[Darren Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book which helped to systematized the views of The Orthodox Church. But I think it could be more concise and straight to the point. Some parts are a bit dry for being too descriptive rather than analytical. But overall a good book which will show you the important similarities and differences with Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.

[Matthew Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. I’m a Protestant pastor and I found these theological contentions compelling. I can’t say I agree but I can say it is well reasoned. A great read to all willing to open themselves to the idea that we may have more to learn with each other than against.

[Mason Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this one for class. Covers a great deal of material well, but it was clunky. Some of the criticisms of western ideas and practices were justified, some were overly simplistic, and some seemed prejudice. I appreciated the footnotes and the heavy use of Scripture and the Holy Fathers.

[Dorotheos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential

[Jerry Buccola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am using this as a reference rather than reading it straight through.

[Jason Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for inquirers/catechumens to bypass the various theological opinions and get to the heart of Orthodox Dogmatic Theology.

[Saul Valencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book.

[Savio Saii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good stuff

[Kristofer Carlson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Michael Pomazansky has written a bad book. He is attempting to write a church Dogmatic in the western style, despite the fact that the eastern church does not waste much time on Dogmatics. Thus he declaratively states what is and what is not church doctrine, demonstrating that he is, in fact, an Orthodox fundamentalist. And he gets so much wrong. For example, he claims that Jesus death was a sacrifice for sin. Wrong. The death was necessary for their to be a sacrifice - - the laying of the flesh upon the altar, and the pouring of the blood on the mercy seat. The death was the preparation of the body for the sacrifice, but not the sacrifice itself. I could go on, but why bother?