Modern Orthodox theology represents a continuity of the Eastern Christian theological tradition stretching back to the early Church and especially to the Ancient Fathers of the Church. This volume considers the full range of modern Orthodox theology. The first chapters of the book offer a chronological study of the development of modern Orthodox theology, beginning with a survey of Orthodox theology from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 until the early 19th century. Ladouceur then focuses on theology in imperial Russia, the Russian religious renaissance at the beginning of the 20th century, and the origins and nature of neopatristic theology, as well as the new theology in Greece and Romania, and tradition and the restoration of patristic thought. Subsequent chapters examine specific major themes: - God and Creation - Divine-humanity, personhood and human rights - The Church of Christ - Ecumenical theology and religious diversity - The 'Christification' of life - Social and Political Theology - The 'Name-of-God' conflict - The ordination of women The volume concludes with assessments of major approaches of modern Orthodox theology and reflections on the current status and future of Orthodox theology. Designed for classroom use, the book features: - case studies - a detailed index - a list of recommended readings for each chapter

Award-winning French author shares the biography and spiritual journey of Cistercian abbot Dom André Louf. Based on a wide variety of interviews, printed sources, and Dom André Louf’s spiritual journal, The Way of the Heart narrates Louf’s spiritual journey from his childhood in Flanders through his becoming a monk in a Cistercian monastery, his ten years of retirement as a hermit in a Benedictine monastery in the south of France, and his death. During his career he struggled with conflicting vocational desires—sometimes wishing to serve as a pastor, academic, abbot, or to immerse himself in eremitic contemplation. That struggle is the leading thread through this biography, which portrays a man whose immense gifts pulled him in many directions, while always endeavoring to submit himself to God’s will.

The present volume unites 44 studies to honor Prof. Dr. Dorin Oancea, Romanian-Orthodox theologian and religious studies scholar, well known as a bridge-builder between Eastern and Western Christian Traditions. The manifold studies reflect upon the fundaments of interfaith and inter-confessional openness, offer insightful examples from past and present, or point to the loci where this openness can and should be achieved today. A meaningful collection for all those interested in present day ecumenical theology, in inter-confessional studies or theology of religions.

„Titlul acestei cărți poate fi înșelător. Cititorul ar putea crede că are dinainte o lucrare de pură istorie culturală, o culegere de documente și analize, menite să devină un omagiu pios, comemorativ, adus unor grupuri de intelectuali care, în vremuri neprielnice, au încercat să-și păstreze chipul și să-și urmeze vocația. În realitate, e vorba de o reconstrucție erudită, dar intens simpatetică, a unui «model» de viață spirituală atemporal. E vorba despre modul în care se nasc întâlnirile purtătoare de destin, despre farmecul – și rigorile – drumului tatonant spre cunoaștere, despre comuniune, împreună-căutare, dramă lumească și speranță. E vorba despre efortul oamenilor de a se situa, de «a-și găsi locul» și despre «instituționalizarea» – dincolo de instituții – a formării intelectuale. În ce mă privește, am aflat neașteptat de multe lucruri despre împrejurări pe care credeam că le știu dinăuntru. Anca Manolescu le știe însă mai bine. Într-un anumit sens, ea este mai intim legată de modelele pe care le invocă decât chiar unii dintre reprezentanții lor.“ (Andrei PLEȘU) „E oare nepotrivit ca intelectualul să se comporte în credinţă ca intelectual? E inutil să-şi păstreze în acest domeniu chipul specific sau măcar ideal? Pofta de a înţelege, disciplina şi elanul gândului nu-şi găsesc locul în religie? În epocile premoderne, întrebarea ar fi fost întrucâtva caraghioasă. De la autori creştini timpurii până la monahismul medieval, nu a fost oare înfăţişată credinţa drept «filozofie» în sensul antic al termenului, drept «adevărata filozofie»: formare a sinelui întemeiată pe revelaţie, urmare a Logosului pe calea cunoaşterii lui Dumnezeu? Calea filozofiei, în rostul ei prim, şi calea cunoaşterii religioase nu sunt divergente. Ca stil de viaţă şi de convivialitate, între cercul filozofic şi grupul de studiu creştin, asemănările, nu deosebirile par să precumpănească. Modelul Antim şi modelul Păltiniş ne-o reamintesc.“ (Anca MANOLESCU)

The fall of Communism in Eastern Europe opened up a new future—for theology, too, not least in Romania, perhaps of all Orthodox nations the most open to the West. Young Romanian Orthodox theologians seized the opportunity to study and research in the West, availing themselves of mentors and resources hitherto denied them; some have settled in the West, others returned home. This welcome volume displays a theological revival as young Romanian theologians draw on tradition and address new problems. We can discern here a welcome confidence in the Orthodox tradition, no longer on the defensive nor concerned to mark itself off from the theology of the ‘West’. It is a ‘generous Orthodoxy’ (a term that has been used of the theological approach of the late Metropolitan Kallistos), ready to share its treasures with other Christians and eager to learn from them and engage with them.

The Philokalia (literally "love of the beautiful or good") is, after the Bible, the most influential source of spiritual tradition within the Orthodox Church. First published in Greek in 1782 by St. Nicodemos of the Holy Mountain and St. Macarios of Corinth, the Philokalia includes works by thirty-six influential Orthodox authors from the fourth to fifteenth-centuries such as Maximus the Confessor, Peter of Damascus, Symeon the New Theologian, and Gregory Palamas. Surprisingly, this important collection of theological and spiritual writings has received little scholarly attention. With the growing interest in Orthodox theology, the need for a substantive resource for philokalic studies has become increasingly evident. The purpose of the present volume is to remedy that lack by providing an ecumenical collection of scholarly essays on the Philokalia that will introduce readers to its background, motifs, authors, and relevance for contemporary life and thought.