Light from the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition

James R. Payton

InterVarsity Press, Jul 26, 2007 - Religion - 240 pages

The Word Guild 2008 Canadian Christian Writing Awards winner! "Do they really pray to icons?" "Why do they use incense?" "What do they believe?" To many people, the Orthodox Christian tradition (or Eastern Orthodoxy) seems unfamiliar and mysterious. Yet this tradition is arguably the most faithful representative of early Christianity in existence today and numbers roughly 250 million adherents worldwide. What's more, a steady stream of evangelical Christians has been entering the Orthodox Church in recent decades. Isn't it time we gained a deeper understanding of Orthodoxy? In Light from the Christian East, James Payton gives us just that. With a sympathetic eye and even hand, he ushers readers into the world of Orthodox Christianity--its history, theology and religious practices. In doing so, he clears away the confusion and misunderstandings that often prevent non-Orthodox Christians from fully appreciating the riches of this ancient tradition. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in Orthodox Christianity.

What people are saying

Review: Light from the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition

User Review  - Lindsay Dee - Goodreads

This is an awesome introduction to Orthodox faith for a Western Catholic or Protestant. It includes many insights concerning what Western Christianity has to learn from its Eastern brothers and sisters.

Review: Light from the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition

User Review  - Ephraim Lawson Bowick - Goodreads

Absolutely phenomenal book. Explains the practice, praxis, as well as concise theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church whilst remaining objective (moderate Protestant) throughout the book. If you have ...

Contents

• Acknowledgments: 9
• Going to Church: 166
• Tradition and Scripture: 193
• Prayer: 206
• Name Index: 225
• Acknowledgments 9: 9
• Going to Church 166: 166
• Icons 178: 178
• Tradition and Scripture 193: 193
• Prayer 206: 206
• Epilogue 216: 216
• Name Index 225: 225
• Scripture Index 237: 237

About the author

James R. Payton Jr. (Ph.D., University of Waterloo, Canada) is a professor of history at Redeemer University College, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada. He has studied, taught and been in dialogue with Eastern Orthodoxy for many years and is the author of a number of articles on Orthodoxy and Protestant-Orthodox relations. Another area of interest for Payton is the Reformation on which he has written many articles and book reviews. Some of his works cover subjects such as John Calvin, Martin Bucer and the influence of the Reformation in Ukraine. He is very involved in ministry to Eastern Europe, serving from 1998-2006 as executive secretary of Christians Associated for Relationships with Eastern Europe, and since 2006 as president.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Light from the Christian East: An Introduction to the Orthodox Tradition
• Author: James R. Payton
• Edition: 2
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press, 2007
• ISBN: 0830825940, 9780830825943
• Length: 240 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Christian Theology / General; Religion / Christianity / History; Religion / Christianity / Orthodox