Daniel B. Clendenin (ed.): Eastern Orthodox Theology

Eastern Orthodox Theology: A Contemporary Reader
2003, ISBN 0-8010-2651-2

Helps to understand the way, the Orthodox see and do theology and to see some of the pronounced differences between Orthodox theology and classical and modern Catholic and Protestant theology.

The book is a collection of essays on the important features of Eastern Orthodox theology written by leading Eastern Orthodox theologians of the 20th century:

• Sergius Bulgakov
  
• George Florovsky
• John Karmiris
  
• Vladimir Lossky
  
• John Meyendorff
• Bradley Nassif
• Leonid Ouspensky
  
• Alexander Schmemann
• Christoforos Stavropoulos
  
• Timothy (Kallistos) Ware
• Timothy P. Weber

The book covers four areas with several essays by different authors:

• Theology as Worship: Liturgy and Sacraments: liturgy, sacraments, icons, the Virgin, saints, angels
  
• Theology as Tradition: Councils and Fathers: tradition, authority, ecclesiology
  
• Theology as Encounter: God, Christ, and Humanity: apophasis, trinity, the filioque, theosis
  
• Theology as Mission: Orthodoxy and the West: ecclesiology, ecumenical relations, conversions
  

Eastern Orthodox Theology is written by Eastern Orthodox theologians for western readers, The editor selected aspects which are important for westerners, but they are described as seen by the Orthodox.

The book shows that orthodox theology is not monolithic and very much alive in our time. Most of the essays are understandable for a non-specialist like me, though some aspects of the trinity theology did take me out of my depth.

Many essays demonstrate that western theological and ecclesiological categories often do not fit for the orthodox church - an aspect the western church is usually not even aware of in ecumenical relations.

I'd consider this book mandatory reading for any westerner who is in contact with Orthodoxy, especially in ecumenical relations.