Orthodox Theology: An Introduction

by Vladimir Lossky, Ian Kesarcodi-Watson (Translator)

At the time of his death in 1958, Vladimir Lossky was already known as one of the most brilliant Orthodox theologians of our century. His study, The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church, was widely recognized not only as an authoritative presentation of Orthodox theology but also as a challenge to the prevailing Western understanding of God-man relations. Yet only in the posthumous publication of Lossky's many other works has the full extent of his contribution to modern Christian thought been revealed.

Orthodox Theology: An Introduction was originally intended as a course in dogmatic theology. It investigates the fundamental questions every theologian must ask: can we know God? What is the relation of the creation to the Creator? How did man fall, and how is he saved? Lossky shows that such doctrinal issues are not merely abstract propositions for theological debate but affect the whole Christian life. Thus, as Lossky demonstrates, the Orthodox tradition of the Trinity is directly related to the Orthodox understanding of the human person. For, like the divine Persons of the Trinity, the human person - in its absolute uniqueness yet equally absolute "relatedness" to other persons - can only be understood theologically.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian

137 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Vladimir Nikolayevich Lossky was an influential 20th century Eastern Orthodox theologian.

Reviews

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denna är av samma art som Rudolf Ottos bok om Numen. Den är också om möjligt djupare i sin beskrivning av människans relation till det gudomliga, och i sin beskrivning av treenigheten. Det är en bok som måste upplevas, och inte kan beskrivas i sin helhet utan att den läses. Jag rekommenderar den starkt.

[Christian Proano · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as it is, I think a fresh translation would help, considering the background of the translator which at some point may put the reader into suspicion.

[Igor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple but thorough introduction to Orthodox theology.

[Fr. Thomas Sandberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book should have been called Orthodox Dogmatic Theology: An Introduction, as on the back of the book we read that it was "originally intended as a course in dogmatic theology" and in the introduction we are told again that the core of what makes up this book came from "a journal distributed among the emigre community in Paris, carrying a series of related pieces by Lossky, under the general heading, Theologie Dogmatique."

If I am to be honest here, though, then this should really have been entitled An Introduction to Orthodox Dogmatic Theology and the Theologumenon of Vladimir Lossky, as a lot of what is in here is Lossky's (or others') theological opinions, and not actual dogma of Orthodoxy; this is not to say that what is said isn't good--it is. There is a lot to take in in this slim book. My best advice is skip (or rip) out the introduction, dismiss Lossky's mention of Meister Eckart, and keep in mind that with his mention of apocatastasis (mentioned twice, I believe) he is in error--well, at least depending upon what he exactly means by his use of the term. And since he is no longer with us, we are unfortunately unable to ask him.

[David Mosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read

21 December 2010

Review:
What is listed an introduction to Orthodox theology, is in many ways an introduction to orthodox theology. Despite his critiques (some possibly wrong) of Aquinas and Augustine (and the Western Tradition as a whole), Lossky provides an excellently brief but rich theology that can and should be useful to all Christians.

[Knut Kåre · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, but difficult read. Must be reread!

Lossky knows the Fathers of the church very well and draws extensively on them. The prologue, Faith and Theology, was my favourite. Here he lays down what appears to be some sort of theologia regenitorum that is founded on his view of revelation in a very interesting way. I found this very stimulating but must reread the chapter to understand it better.

[Yuri Zbitnoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's occasionally dense, but it's as satisfying and concise a summary of Orthodox theology as I can imagine. Of particular note are the distinctions he draws between the Orthodox view and Neoplatonism, Arianism, and Nestorianism. There is also a good exposition on the connection between Christology and iconography.

[laurentiu]

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[Mitch Mallary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Church in the West is sometimes referred to as a footnote to Plato. Perhaps the introduction of some Eastern Orthodox theology may serve as a helpful remedy to the Neoplatonic impulses stemming from Augustine onward in the western tradition.

[Jonathan]

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