www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology writings of the Fathers and theosis

Hi Everybody ! I have three questions:

1. I want to read more of the writings of the Fathers, but I don't know where to start. They wrote so much ! And, they often wrote in a difficult style. Would some kind soul recommend good anthologies (with good notes or explanations) of the writings of the Fathers?

2. Also, which Fathers in Eastern Christianity are standard to read? There are so many Fathers, and I don't know whom to start with. I know that St. John Chrysostom and St. John Climacus are often mentioned; and I know that the various authors in the Philokalia are often mentioned. And I have heard of other saints. But, in your opinion, which Father�s writings are standard reading in Eastern Christianity?

3. Can anyone recommend a good discussion of theosis, the role of the Trinity and the Trinitarian nature (image and likeness) of man?

Thank you, all, for your responses.

--John

I dont know of any anthologies of the Fathers but if you want a breadth of doctrine and--I mean breadth in a very large sense--then St John of Damascus' 'the Orthodox faith' should more than suffice. Its the first real summation of Christian doctrine and has been used thereafter in both East and West. It is heavily quoted by St Thomas Aquinas for instance and it is a treasury to both Latins and Greeks. It'll take time to get through but if you're really planning to go deep into doctrine, I'd say thats the diving board.

St John of Damascus will lead you eloquently through the major themes of Patristic Theology. From there you might wish to delve into various different themes. I dont see the need to go ante-nicene for your purposes. The unique meditation of the Son and what that means for man's participation in the Divine Logos gets great treatment from St Athanasius 'On the Incarnation'. You may also wish to consult St Basil the Great's work 'The Holy Spirit' and the Theological Orations of St Gregory the Theologian. As for Chrysostom, keep reading after all there's a lot to read I should think beyond the 4 Greek Doctors, St Maximus the Confessor would get a shout out too but if you manage to get through the Damascene's work and theirs within anything less than a few works I will commend you.

God bless you, Myles. Thank you !

Anyone else?

--John

Harmon, all of them are good.

There are several very good anthologies of the writings of the Fathers, such as "The Sayings of the Desert Fathers" and "Writings from the Philokalia on Prayer of the Heart". The "Writings" are excerpts from the Philokalia, and for the "full immersion" the entire Philokalia can't be beat.

A couple of individual works readily available that are central in Eastern Christian thinking are: "On the Holy Spirit" by St. Basil; "On the Incarnation" by St. Athanasius; "On the Holy Icons" by St. John of Damascus and another book of the same title by St. Theodore the Studite; "On the Christian Sacraments" by St. Cyril of Jerusalem; "Triads" by St. Gregory Palamas; anything by St. John Chrysostom such as "On Marriage and Family Life"; "The Life of Moses" by St. Gregory of Nyssa; the "Conferences" of St. John Cassian; "Selected Writings" by St. Maximos the Confessor; and "On the Divine Liturgy" by St. Germanos of Constantinople.

Olivier Clement has a wonderful book which brings in some of the great Fathers and spiritual writers of both East and West in his "Roots of Christian Mysticism". It is a very excellent book. I'm getting carried away and better stop.

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a Steve Woods conference (www.dads.org [dads.org]) on fatherhood at our local parish. In a word � an excellent! While there, I purchased: Early Church Fathers (CD) A Survey of the Apostolic Fathers by Steve Wood and have been listening to this excellent overview.

• Did the Bishop of Rome exercise special authority beyond Italy?
  
  Was the form of early Church government democratic, or hierarchical?
  
  Were bishops a vital part of the Church?
  
  Did the early Church believe in Apostolic succession?
  
  What was the special focus of early Christian worship?
  
  Did the Apostolic Church ever call the Mass a "sacrifice"?
  
  Who were the early Christian leaders after the Apostles?
  
  Did the early Church believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist?
  
  �much more!

(from the website)

He recommends the book by William Jurgens (I�ve included an excerpt from the website the book by Jurgens); he also recommends The Early Christian Writings, translated by Maxwell Staniforth, (Penguin Classics).

My advise/opinion on books � get it from your library first. So much is available from the local library (or university if a student)! If not available locally, many libraries also have interlibrary loan programs and will transfer a book(s) from another library in the system to your local library. There is usually no or little cost. Try (decide a book is �a keeper�) before you buy! We have a very good intra-library system � if they have the book at one branch, they will transfer to a branch in the city near you (eg, from downtown library to one near my place of work or my home).

The first book I read with the writings of some of the fathers was The Apostolic Fathers edited by Jack Sparks. Having come out of the Worldwide Church of God (after high school - many years ago!), I wanted to know �what were the beliefs/practices of the early Christians�? I found out they met on the �eighth day� [Sunday] (�We keep the Eighth Day with joy, the day when Jesus rose from the dead�. Letter of Barnabas). They baptized in �living water� (if possible) by immersion or even by pouring if this wasn�t possible (Didache). And so forth. One of the fathers I enjoy reading and re-reading is Justin Martyr � I especially his dialog with Trypho.
(see http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html )

Of course, the writings of the church fathers are available online at many locations:

www.newadvent.com [newadvent.com]
www.ccel.org/fathers2 [ccel.org]
www.earlychristianwritings.com/churchfathers.html [earlychristianwritings.com]
etc!

(It�s incredible how much is available online � free!)

Also see this overview (many helpful materials at this sight, too):
Early Church Fathers Overview: Snapshot of the Fathers of the Church by Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio
http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com...apshot_of_the_Fathers_of_the_Church.html

Patristics: Gleanings from the Holy Fathers (scroll down and click on a topic)
http://www.orthodox.net/gleanings/sub_all_topics.html

I�ve also included some links (very bottom of this message) to information on theosis which may be helpful.


In Christ�s love,

Woody


Faith of the Early Fathers
William A. Jurgens, Editor.
3-volume set
"There is no real formation of Christian intelligence without constant recourse to the tradition of our Fathers in the faith." � John Paul II
This set is truly an apologist�s �Patriot Missile� for defending the Faith!
These three fully indexed volumes contain actual writings from the first seven centuries of the Early Church, including selections from the Apostolic Fathers.
Preceding each selection is a brief introduction treating the authorship, date, and place of composition, and the purpose of the work from which the selection was taken. The author�s scholarship and dynamic sense of humor are unmistakably evident in these prefatory remarks.
You�ll find the Doctrinal Index provided in each volume to be invaluable. Here you can find the texts pertinent to particular doctrinal points � a method especially useful for apologetics! In addition, each volume is enhanced by comprehensive Scriptural and General Indices.
This 3-volume set is also a perfect companion to Steve Wood�s popular tape series The Early Church Fathers.
Testimony from Steve Wood about Jurgens� 3-Volume Set:
If I was shipwrecked on a deserted island Robinson Crusoe-fashion and given the choice of three books to bring with me, without a doubt I�d choose the Bible, the Catechism, and the 3-volume set The Faith of the Early Fathers, edited by William A. Jurgens.
One of the main reasons I left my career as an Evangelical Protestant minister was because I discovered the truth and historicity of the Catholic faith by reading the Apostolic Fathers. When I read what Fathers such as St. John Chrysostom and St. Ignatius of Antioch had to say about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, I had no choice but to leave my pastorate and enter the true Church. This set is truly worth its weight in gold � a million times over!
(from review at www.familylifecenter.net/cart/product_detail.cfm?ID=297&user=13389976) [familylifecenter.net]


Theosis:

Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers
http://www.orthodox.net/gleanings/theosis.html

Achieving Your Potential in Christ:
Theosis
Plain Talks on a Major Doctrine of Orthodoxy
By Fr. Anthony M. Coniaris Edited by G. A. Henry
http://mycopticchurch.com/articles/read.asp?f=spiritual/theosis.html

Salvation By Christ: A Response to the Credenda/Agenda (A Response to Credenda / Agenda on Orthodoxy�s Teaching of Theosis and the Doctrine of Salvation) by Carmen Fragapane
http://orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/frag_salv.aspx

Wow, Wow and WOW !

Thank you, all of you, for the great suggestions ! I now have my reading for the rest of Lent and beyond !

Woody, what you said about libraries is so true: especially with interlibrary loans !

Be well !

--John