Key Takeaways
1. God is an Incomprehensible Mystery, Yet Intimately Near
God is both further from us, and nearer to us, than anything else.
The Paradox of God. The spiritual journey reveals two contrasting truths: God's radical otherness and his profound nearness. God is a mystery, beyond human comprehension, yet simultaneously fills all things and dwells within us personally. This paradox doesn't negate faith but deepens it, as we find God growing ever more distant and intimate, known and unknown.
Apophatic Theology. Recognizing God's transcendence requires us to use negative statements (apophaticism) alongside affirmative ones. Saying what God is not helps us avoid limiting him to our human standards. This "way of unknowing" leads not to emptiness but to a luminous darkness, a deeper experience of the living God beyond language and thought.
Faith as Relationship. Belief in God is not logical certainty but a personal relationship, an act of trust and love. Doubt and faith can coexist, signifying a living, growing faith that takes risks and embraces the unknown. This personal love is the entry point into the divine mystery, knowing God not as a theory but as a friend.
2. The Trinity: God as a Communion of Love
The final end of the spiritual Way is that we humans should also become part of this Trinitarian coinherence or perichoresis, being wholly taken up into the circle of love that exists within God.
Unity and Diversity. The Christian God is not a solitary unit but a triune community: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This doctrine emphasizes diversity within unity, a "society" within God where three equal persons dwell in mutual love. The ultimate goal is for humans to participate in this Trinitarian coinherence, becoming one in God's love.
Personhood and Love. The Trinity reveals that God is personal and love, implying sharing and reciprocity. A person is not an isolated individual but exists through relationships with others. Love cannot exist in isolation but presupposes the other. The Trinity shows that God eternally knows himself as "I and Thou" in a threefold way, continually rejoicing in this knowledge.
Living the Trinity. Faith in the Trinity should revolutionize daily life, urging us to reproduce the mystery of mutual love on earth. Every social unit should become an icon of the Triunity, committing us to sacrificial service and combating oppression in the name of the Holy Trinity. This is what it means to live the Trinity.
3. Creation: A Manifestation of God's Love and Goodness
“Thou hast brought us into being out of nothing”.
Creation from Love. God created the universe by an act of free will and love, not out of necessity. Creation is an act of sharing, allowing other beings to participate in the divine life and love. Each of us has always existed in God's heart, with a special plan from eternity.
Continual Creation. God's creative act is not a one-time event but a continuous relationship. At every moment, the world depends on God's loving will for its existence. God is always at the heart of each thing, maintaining it in being.
Intrinsic Goodness. The creation in its entirety is God's handiwork, and in their inner essence, all created things are "exceedingly good." Evil is not a substance but the twisting and misappropriation of what is in itself good. Evil resides not in the thing itself but in our attitude towards the thing—that is to say, in our will.
4. Incarnation: God Becomes Human to Bridge the Divide
God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.
God-Man. The eternal Logos and Son of God became true man, Jesus Christ, to heal and restore our humanity. He is both truly divine and fully human, the Theanthropos or "God-man" who saves us from our sins precisely because he is God and man at once.
Sharing in Our Condition. Christ's Incarnation is an act of identification and sharing, carried to the utmost limits on the Cross. He shares not only in the fullness of human life but also in the fullness of human death, bearing our griefs and sorrows. He accepts the consequences of Adam's sin, including weariness, bodily pain, and the separation of body and soul in death.
The Virgin Birth. The Virgin Birth is a sign of Christ's uniqueness, pointing to his heavenly origin and the divine initiative in his birth. It emphasizes that the Incarnation did not involve the coming into being of a new person but the pre-existent person of the Son of God now began to live according to a human as well as a divine mode of being.
5. The Holy Spirit: God's Active Presence Within Us
The Spirit of God which has been given to this our flesh cannot endure sadness or constraint.
The Elusive Spirit. The Holy Spirit is like the wind and fire, elusive and hard to define. He is a person, coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Son, yet his divine person is not revealed in human form. The Spirit's action cannot be defined verbally but must be lived and experienced directly.
The Spirit and the Son. The Spirit sends Christ into the world, and Christ sends the Spirit to us. The Spirit's task is to bear witness to Christ, rendering the risen Lord ever present among us. The aim of Pentecost is the continuation of Christ's Incarnation within the life of the Church.
Gifts of the Spirit. The gift of the Paraclete on the day of Pentecost is a gift to all God's people, a gift of unity, and a gift of diversity. The Holy Spirit makes the many to be one Body in Christ, transforming individuals into persons.
6. Prayer: The Path to Union with God
There is no life without prayer.
Three Stages of Prayer. The spiritual Way can be divided into three stages: the practice of the virtues, the contemplation of nature, and the contemplation of God. These stages are not strictly consecutive but simultaneous, representing three deepening levels of the spiritual life.
The Jesus Prayer. The Jesus Prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner," is a powerful tool for entering into stillness and union with God. Through rhythmic repetition, the prayer moves from the lips to the intellect to the heart, becoming a prayer of the whole person.
Apophatic Prayer. The apophatic method, or way of negation, is essential for advancing in prayer. By laying aside thoughts and images, we reach out towards the eternal Truth that lies beyond all human words and thoughts, waiting upon God in quietness and silence.
7. The Last Things: Resurrection and the Life to Come
Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
The Second Coming. Scripture and Holy Tradition speak of the Second Coming of Christ, a direct intervention from the divine realm that will bring the course of history to a sudden and dramatic end. We are to be always prepared and expectant, watching for the Lord's return.
Resurrection of the Body. As Christians, we believe not only in the immortality of the soul but in the resurrection of the body. At the Second Coming of Christ, we shall be raised from the dead in our soul and in our body, appearing before our Lord for the Last Judgement.
Eternity and Infinity. The resurrection kingdom is a kingdom which shall have "no end." Eternity signifies an inexhaustible variety and unending progress, a never-ceasing advance into the divine mystery.
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FAQ
What is "The Orthodox Way" by Kallistos Ware about?
- Exploration of Orthodox Christianity: The book provides a concise yet profound introduction to the fundamental teachings and spiritual vision of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
- Christianity as a Journey: Ware frames Orthodoxy not as a static system of beliefs, but as a dynamic spiritual journey—“the Way”—emphasizing personal experience and transformation.
- Key Doctrinal Themes: It covers core doctrines such as God as Mystery, the Trinity, Creation, the Incarnation, the Holy Spirit, and Prayer, each as lived realities rather than abstract concepts.
- Integration of Tradition and Experience: The book stresses the importance of both the ancient tradition and the necessity of personal, contemporary experience of faith.
Why should I read "The Orthodox Way" by Kallistos Ware?
- Accessible Introduction: It is widely regarded as one of the clearest and most approachable introductions to Orthodox Christian theology and spirituality.
- Depth and Practicality: Ware combines theological depth with practical guidance, making complex doctrines understandable and relevant to daily life.
- Personal and Universal Relevance: The book addresses universal spiritual questions—about God, suffering, prayer, and meaning—through the lens of Orthodox tradition.
- Rich Use of Sources: It draws on a wealth of quotations from the Church Fathers, saints, and liturgical texts, offering readers a taste of the living tradition.
What are the key takeaways from "The Orthodox Way" by Kallistos Ware?
- God as Mystery and Person: God is both utterly transcendent and intimately near, known through love and personal relationship rather than mere intellectual concepts.
- Trinitarian Life: The doctrine of the Trinity is central, presenting God as a communion of love and calling humans to reflect this mutual love in community.
- Creation and Human Purpose: The world is created out of God’s love, and humans are called to be mediators, priests, and co-creators, offering creation back to God.
- Incarnation and Salvation: Christ’s becoming human is both a response to the fall and the fulfillment of humanity’s destiny, enabling union with God (theosis).
- Prayer and Transformation: The spiritual journey involves repentance, watchfulness, and prayer, culminating in direct, transformative communion with God.
How does Kallistos Ware define "God as Mystery" in "The Orthodox Way"?
- Transcendence and Immanence: God is “the wholly Other,” beyond all human understanding, yet also closer to us than our own heart.
- Apophatic and Cataphatic Theology: Ware emphasizes the apophatic (negative) approach—knowing God by what He is not—balanced with affirmations about God’s love and presence.
- Personal Encounter: True knowledge of God comes not from intellectual proofs but from personal experience and relationship, rooted in love.
- Essence and Energies Distinction: Orthodox theology distinguishes between God’s unknowable essence and His knowable energies, allowing for real union without confusion.
What is the Orthodox understanding of the Trinity according to "The Orthodox Way"?
- Unity and Diversity: God is one in essence but three in persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—existing in a dynamic communion of mutual love.
- Relational Personhood: Personhood and love are inseparable; God’s very being is relational, and humans are called to mirror this in their relationships.
- Practical Implications: Belief in the Trinity demands a life of love, service, and community, making the doctrine central to daily Christian living.
- Liturgical and Prayer Life: The Trinity is invoked constantly in Orthodox worship and personal prayer, shaping the believer’s spiritual consciousness.
How does "The Orthodox Way" by Kallistos Ware explain the Orthodox view of Creation and humanity’s role?
- Creation from Love: The world is created freely by God out of love, not necessity, and is fundamentally good.
- Continuous Creation: Creation is ongoing; God sustains all things at every moment, not just at a distant beginning.
- Human as Microcosm and Mediator: Humans uniquely unite the spiritual and material realms, called to be priests and kings—offering creation back to God and transforming it.
- Image and Likeness: Every person is made in the image of God, with the potential to grow into His likeness through freedom and cooperation with grace.
What does "The Orthodox Way" teach about the Incarnation and salvation in Christ?
- God Becomes Man: The Incarnation is God’s ultimate act of love, uniting divinity and humanity in the person of Jesus Christ.
- Salvation as Sharing: Christ fully shares in our human condition, including its fallen aspects, so that we may share in His divine life (theosis).
- Restoration and Fulfillment: The Incarnation is not only a remedy for sin but the fulfillment of humanity’s original purpose—union with God.
- Victory of Suffering Love: Christ’s death and resurrection are seen as the victory of self-emptying love, opening the way for all to participate in divine life.
How does "The Orthodox Way" by Kallistos Ware describe the Holy Spirit and spiritual life?
- Spirit as Person and Power: The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, coequal and coeternal, the giver of life and sanctification.
- Personal Pentecost: Every Christian receives the Spirit at baptism and chrismation, called to become consciously a “Spirit-bearer.”
- Diversity and Unity: The Spirit brings both unity and diversity, bestowing unique gifts while making the Church one body.
- Guidance and Transformation: The Spirit acts through spiritual fathers, the “fool in Christ,” and all believers, guiding, healing, and transforming the heart.
What is the Orthodox approach to prayer and spiritual growth in "The Orthodox Way"?
- Threefold Path: The spiritual journey is described in three stages: practice of the virtues (active life), contemplation of nature, and direct union with God (theology).
- Repentance and Watchfulness: Ongoing repentance (metanoia), vigilance, and self-knowledge are foundational for progress on the Way.
- Prayer of the Heart: The Jesus Prayer is central, aiming for unceasing, interior prayer that unites the intellect and heart in God’s presence.
- Apophatic Silence: The highest prayer is wordless, loving attention—entering the “divine darkness” where God is known beyond concepts.
How does "The Orthodox Way" by Kallistos Ware address the problem of evil and suffering?
- Evil as Absence: Evil is not a substance but the absence or distortion of good, resulting from the misuse of free will by angels and humans.
- Freedom and Love: God allows evil because He created beings capable of love, which requires freedom and the risk of rejection.
- Solidarity and Responsibility: Humanity is interconnected; no one falls or is saved alone, and each bears responsibility for all.
- Suffering and Divine Compassion: God is not indifferent to suffering; in Christ, He fully enters into human pain, offering healing and hope through the Cross.
What are the most important quotes from "The Orthodox Way" by Kallistos Ware and what do they mean?
- “God cannot be grasped by the mind. If he could be grasped, he would not be God.” (Evagrius of Pontus) – Emphasizes the mystery and transcendence of God.
- “The Creed does not belong to you unless you have lived it.” (Metropolitan Philaret) – Stresses the necessity of personal experience in faith.
- “The most important thing that happens between God and the human soul is to love and to be loved.” (Kallistos Kataphygiotis) – Highlights the relational and loving nature of true spirituality.
- “The way to God lies through love of other people, and there is no other way.” (Mother Maria of Paris) – Underlines the practical, communal dimension of Orthodox faith.
- “Prayer is the test of everything. If prayer is right, everything is right.” (St Theophan the Recluse) – Affirms the centrality of prayer in the Christian life.
What is the ultimate goal of the spiritual journey in "The Orthodox Way" by Kallistos Ware?
- Union with God (Theosis): The journey’s end is direct, loving union with God—not absorption, but personal communion in His energies.
- Eternal Growth: Perfection is dynamic; even in eternity, the soul continues to grow in love and knowledge of the infinite God.
- Resurrection and Transfiguration: The final hope is the resurrection of the body and the renewal of all creation, sharing in Christ’s victory over death.
- Participation in Divine Life: The Christian is called to become by grace what God is by nature, living forever in the light and love of the Holy Trinity.
Review Summary
The Orthodox Way by Kallistos Ware is highly praised as an accessible introduction to Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Readers appreciate its clear explanations of Orthodox theology, spirituality, and traditions. Many found it enlightening, even those from other Christian backgrounds. The book is commended for its beautiful writing, profound insights, and ability to convey the mystical aspects of Orthodox faith. While some disagreed with certain theological points, most reviewers found the book deeply enriching and recommended it for anyone interested in understanding Orthodoxy.
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