Review by Choice Review
This compact but richly informative book traces the history of the Orthodox Church in a way that is historically absorbing and illumined throughout by Orthodox dogmatic, ascetic, and mystical theology. An Orthodox priest as well as a distinguished historian and theologian, McGuckin (Univ. of Oxford, UK) writes with scholarly authority and an engaging intimacy and warmth born of lifelong immersion in Orthodoxy. The coverage of topics is comprehensive over both time and thematically--from the birth of the church on Pentecost to recent outstanding Orthodox figures and from the patristic period and the age of the great ecumenical councils to the present. The discussion of everyday life in an Orthodox church of today is delightful. There is also extensive coverage of the church's experience under conquest, notably with the rise of Islam, under the Ottoman Turks, and under the USSR. The scholarly apparatus includes extensive notes, a bibliography that is particularly strong in recent scholarly works, and an appendix that presents and comments on the Nicene Creed (325 CE) as a precise distillation of the Orthodox faith. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty. --Michael Latzer, Gannon University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
McGuckin (The Book of Mystical Chapters), an emeritus professor of early Christianity and Byzantine studies, traces the history of the Eastern Orthodox Church from its founding to the present in this lucid if sometimes tough-going introduction. McGuckin's opening explanation of Orthodox theology often veers into the abstract while breaking down "apostolic traditions," but it serves as useful grounding for the rest of the book by shedding light on historical events such as the split between the Western Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. With the majority of the book rushing over 2,000 years of history--the Ecumenical councils of the first millennia CE, the 11th century Great Schism--McGuckin's telling is engrossing but often overwhelming, and most readers with little knowledge of the material would benefit from more explanation of how the various branches of the church relate to one another. The closing chapters are more accessible, introducing notable 20th-century Orthodox figures and discussing what to expect when visiting an Orthodox church, from respect for icons to standing during prayer services. McGuckin's thorough history will appeal to readers with a deep interest in non-Western forms of Christianity. (Mar.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
The Eastern Orthodox Church is a religion that has endured since the times of Christ and is a continuation of apostolic tradition. Oxford professor and archpriest McGuckin (The Orthodox Church) has written a fascinating look at the rich history of the second largest-Christian church in the world, after the Roman Catholic Church. This accessible and comprehensive book provides a plethora of research for better understanding the church's roots and fundamentals. McGuckin takes readers through the journey of how the church first shaped its identity through the apostles, and how it has established its current form today. The foundation of the church has remained the same and is proclaimed by the Nicene Creed. McGuckin also looks into the many different persecutions the church has experienced throughout the centuries, as well as the ongoing struggle to maintain certain traditions and beliefs. VERDICT McGuckin presents another well-written and well-researched work in this fantastic introduction to the Eastern Orthodox Church.--Gus Palas, Ela Area P.L., Lake Zurich, IL
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