The Faith : An Orthodox Catechism by CLARK CARLTON - July 1997

Regina Orthodox Press, July 1997. Paper Back. Good. There are many excellent Orthodox catechisms at hand: Fr. Thomas Hopko's four-volume <i>The Orthodox Faith</i> (at once concise, eloquent, and substantial) and the French Orthodox two-volume <i> The Living God</i> (properly explaining what is believed by what is prayed) are two that we happen to mention in this catalog. Why another Orthodox catechism? The response of Bishop Kallistos Ware to the rhetorical question, ''What approach is best to take to explain the doctrine of the Trinity?' echoes at this point: in essence, he said that in tackling such a task, he preferred ''a full plate'' -- he would use every tool he could get his hands on. So, with the faith itself -- let us by all means use every tool to communicate this gospel. This catechism has several things going for it. Most obviously, convenience; it's one volume. Second, versatility. It is fine for use by an individual, yet its inclusion of discussion questions at the end of each chapter make it a possibility for group use, and the short excurses at the end of most of the chapters engage many current social and theological issues. Third, ecumenicity, in an inter-Orthodox sense, harvesting recommendations from hierarchs and other leaders from the major jurisdictions of Orthodoxy in America. Fourth, and finally, accessibility. It is written by an a convert to Orthodoxy, who understands the questions and concerns of the culture he came from; he writes with a convert's zeal and empathy, on a level that can be understood by just about anyone. May his endeavor bear fruit. 286 pp. Firm binding; moderate general shelfwear; previous owner name and occasional notes.