Sydney "Nicoletta" Freedman at the Irish World Academy of Music, University of Limerick on Doxology:

5 stars:

Jonathan/C.J.S. Hayward's Doxology is an essential book of wisdom for our times. The truths that it contains, however, are not from our times but are the teachings and experiences of the Church. Hayward has elucidated the commandments of Christ and the wisdom of the saints for modern readers with the eyes of a fellow struggler in our contemporary world. He shows us how the truth is not found in any of the clamoring voices around us—including those who claim to speak for Christians—but rather in Christ and His Church, in carrying out our lives therein.

The book consists of twelve works, not by coincidence, as Hayward is drawing on the biblical symbolism of the number. They represent several genres and treat various contemporary topics, joining the ever-relevant words of the fathers with the author's astute observations and experiences, Christian faith with its practical implications for current struggles. Three outstanding examples are "Silence: Organic Food for the Soul," "Religion and Science Is Not Just Intelligent Design vs. Evolution," and "Exotic Golden Ages and Restoring Harmony with Nature: Anatomy of a Passion." Orthodox readers and even those from other faiths will find these articles intriguing if not enlightening. The remaining topics are just as timely and include everything from technology and spiritual growth to survival during economic hardship, from evangelical converts to ecumenism, and everything in between. The overarching theme in Hayward's discussion of such issues is the presence of God, both how such issues appear when illumined by His truth and glory and how His glory can be seen even in our troubled world. The final three works demonstrate this two-fold perspective along with the aforementioned weaving of human experience and Orthodox faith. The author's reflections on his life are followed by "a meditation on what it is to have the maximum in life," and the book fittingly ends with a doxological hymn of praise to the Trinity.

As the presence of God is the foundation for Hayward's treatment of his topics, so it is for the reader's experience of Hayward's writings. His works are "verbal icons" and show us Christ and His saints. In reading Doxology, therefore, we gain insight into God's image. For example, we perceive the nature of God's fatherhood and that of his priests (in the article, "God the Spiritual Father"); we hear Christ's loving call to repentance (in the reflection, "Maximum Christ, Maximum Ambition, Maximum Repentance"); we find God's help and presence during trials (in the guide, "How to Survive an Economic Depression"); and in all twelve parts, we see how the glory of God shines in our struggles and darkness.

Doxology is an indispensible little book of wisdom, written by a layperson, for today's Orthodox Christians living in the world. The hymn at the end would itself be worth the price, but the book is freely accessible on the author's website, http://www.jonathanscorner.com, along with his other writings. If you are edified by what you read, purchase copies for others and pass it on.

Sydney "Nicoletta" Freedman
Graduate Student
Irish World Academy of Music
University of Limerick