The Living God : A Catechism for the Christian Faith (2 volume set)

St Vladimirs Seminary Press, October 1989. Paper Back. Very Good. Many introductions to Orthodox Christianity tend toward presentation in the negative, meaning they begin with differences between East and West and show what Orthodoxy is not. This approach can be advantageous; it allows one to see at-a-glance how the traditions compare, and to have the East 'translated' into the idiom of the West. <i>The Living God</i>, however, attempts a positive presentation of Orthodoxy, in which the Church's own music, poetry and images speak on behalf of the Faith. Originally written in French by Orthodox of various nationalities, this two-part catechism is punctuated with color icons, sheet music, and liturgical texts from the great hymnographers. Volume 1 discusses salvation history from Creation to the Resurrection of Christ. Volume 2 continues with the Ascension through the Second Advent, concluding with Sacraments and Prayer. 'For the Orthodox Tradition,' explains Olivier Clément in the preface, 'there is no difference between the body of the Risen Christ and His eucharistic Body, the Church. The Church becomes a chalice from which flows the power of the Resurrection for the Life of the World.' <i>The Living God </i>allows this timeless 'chalice,' the Orthodox Church, to further nourish today's faithful with its heady fare. 445 pp. SVS Press, 1989. 2 Volume Set. Light cover wear includes some fading to the covers, binding firm, text unmarked.