Icons And The Name Of God

In Orthodox theology both the icon and the name of God transmit divine energies, theophanies, or revelations that imprint God's image within us. In Icons and the Name of God renowned Orthodox theologian Sergius Bulgakov explains the theology behind the Orthodox veneration of icons and the glorification of the name of God. In the process Bulgakov covers two major controversies -- the iconoclastic controversy (sixth to eighth centuries) and the "Name of God" controversy (early twentieth century) -- and explains his belief that an icon stops being merely a religious painting and becomes sacred when it is named. This translation of two essays "The Icon and Its Veneration" and "The Name of God" -- available in English for the first time -- makes Bulgakov's rich thinking on these key theological concepts available to a wider audience than ever before.

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

In this follow-up to the popular Pictures of God, John Skinas introduces children to some of the ancient icon archetypes most treasured by Orthodox Christians--from the Icon Not Made by Hands to the Pantocrator of Sinai.From God to You follows the path of the icon through history and encourages children to mindfully consider icons and their stories as windows of inspiration and doorways to prayer. "Burned, smashed, and buried, icons have endured a great deal as they've made their way from God to you. They've reached you because He wants them in your church, in your home, and in your hands. But most of all, God wants you to keep His image in your heart, where, if you listen closely, you can hear His message with every beat. . . ."

This twentieth anniversary edition (more than 111,000 copies sold) brings Henri J.M. Nouwen's writings on Eastern Orthodox icons to a new generation and adds to the Nouwen collection published by Ave Maria Press. With a foreword by Br. Robert Lentz, a well-known painter of contemporary icons, this classic Nouwen book invites readers to pray with four Russian icons with their eyes open by emphasizing seeing or gazing, which are at the heart of Eastern spirituality. Nouwen's meditations reveal his viewing of the icons not as decorations, but holy places. The book includes four full-color icons for private contemplation or meditation.

"A Complex Delight is the work of a seasoned and mature scholar offering us a careful and nuanced study that pushes us into a new territory of reflection while providing an exciting way of looking at the subject. The work will make a vital contribution to the historical analysis of culture and religion. This book is a wonderful intellectual and visual romp that will spark the imagination and satisfy the mind's quest for fresh historical understanding."—Wilson Yates, Professor Emeritus of Religion, Art and Society, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities "Margaret Miles' interdisciplinary study of the 'concealing and revealing' of the breast in art during the Renaissance and Baroque styles weaves together relevant issues in the history of art and theology. She offers a study grounded in solid research with informed commentary and her handling of the textual and visual evidence from these cultures is objective, respectful and decorous. This book will be of considerable interest to students of the visual culture, religious imagery, and social history of Early Modern Europe."—Heidi J. Hornik, Professor of Italian Renaissance and Baroque Art History, Baylor University

"Eastern Orthodoxy illuminated by the Gospel is one of the greatest books ever written about the Orthodoxy. Reading the book Eastern Orthodoxy illuminated by the Gospel is like climbing a high mountain, where your visual field gets expanded with each step, discovering new and exciting details, and finally gives an exceptional panoramic view that evokes the strongest feelings! Each new line is like a new stair leading to a highest top, from where you can observe the whole Orthodoxy. Orthodoxy from God's perspective. Light of the glorious Gospel and Christ's teachings shines like the sun throughout this book, illuminating a complete profession of faith of the Eastern Orthodox Church." Sladjan Djuric Author of the book Only Scripture, Serbia "I have never understood why Eastern Orthodox people practice or believe certain things. When I would ask, I would either get silence or a very confusing and superficial answer. Ivica's book made those mysterious things clear for the first time and helped me understand the essence and the roots of the Orthodox religion. Without exaggeration I think this is a first-class apologetic manual ever written. Everyone who is called to work with Orthodox believers should have this book because it can help them understand the people who practice Eastern Orthodoxy, and give them directions how to pray and preach the Gospel more efficiently (2. Corinthians 4:3-4, Ephesians 6:12).'' Jan Vareca Editor of a Christian e-magazine 'The trumpet of Zion', Serbia "Eastern Orthodoxy has been largely unknown in the West, but in the recent years there has been a surge of interest, particularly among Christians of Protestant/Evangelical orientation, many of whom wish to find out more about this mystical expression of faith that captivates by its ancient charm and connection to the early church fathers. The book Eastern Orthodoxy Illuminated by the Gospel by Ivica Stamenkovic will unlock the mysteries of Eastern Orthodoxy for the Western readers. A native of Serbia, a country with a strong Eastern Orthodox majority, Ivica had the advantage of studying Eastern Orthodoxy at its source. The product of his studies is a volume that deserves to be called nothing less than a textbook on Eastern Orthodoxy and probably the first of its kind available in the English language. His clear, scholarly approach leaves no stones unturned. Needless to say, a study such as this one has been long overdue in the West. Even though scholarly, the book is by no means "dry" and is an enjoyable read, cover to cover." Alex Jovanovic Pastor of Mooretown Brethren in Christ Church Sandusky, Michigan, USA

This book, newly revised and updated, examines the Eastern Church's theology of icons chiefly on the basis of the acta of the Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787. The political circumstances leading to the outbreak of the iconclast controversy in the eighth century are discussed in detail, but the main emphasis is on the theological arguments and assumptions of the council participants. Major themes include the nature of tradition, the relationship between image and reality, and the place of christology. Ultimately the argument over icons was about the accessibility of the divine. Icons were held by the iconophiles to communicate a deifying grace which raised the believer to participation in the life of God.

"The nature of the icon cannot be grasped by means of pure art criticism, nor by the adoption of a sentimental point of view. Its forms are based on the wisdom contained in the theological and liturgical writings of the Eastern Orthodox Church and are imtimately bound up with the experience of the contemplative life. The present work is the first of its kind to give a reliable introduction to the spiritual background of this art. The introduction into the meaning and language of the icons by Ouspensky imparts to us in an admirable way the spiritual conceptions of the Eastern Orthodox Church which are often so foreign to us, but without the knowledge of which we cannot possibly understand the world of the icon." -- Back cover.