Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Book
Review: Bishop Kallistos Ware does an excellent job of offering the reader a modern Orthodox catechism. The book presents theology in a way that is never stuffy and always enlightening. Non Orthodox readers will be impressed by the similarities of the basic trinitarian theology of the Orthodox church and other branches of Christianity whether it be Roman Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, etc. However, readers from other traditions will be challenged by the depth of mysticism in Orthodoxy and the emphasis on a serious relationship with God this side of heaven. Eastern Orthodoxy has a message for the rest of Christianity and this book delivers it well.
Rating:
Summary: You Don't Have to Be Orthodox!
Review: Bishop Ware has produced a superb small volume on faith, doctrine, theology, and spirituality in "The Orthodox Way." Organized almost like an Eastern catechism, the volume unfolds through chapters about God, His world, and His most-beloved creature: man. Starting with 'God as Mystery,' Bishop Ware begins to clearly and concisely explain how an ineffible Deity can also be our friend, how we can understand and yet not understand the Trinity, and how all of creation--even evil and free will--is a manifestation of God's love.
If you read just one book of theology in your life, this might need to be it. It is, in the very real sense, a revelation for Christians, and a call to those still seeking.
Deep theologians will find this volume too much of an overview. It doesn't have 500 pages on the history of the filoque clause or the relationship between Eastern monasticism and modern materialism. But Ware does reference a surprising variety of sources. You'd expect the Sayings of the Desert Fathers or quotes from St. Simeon the New Theologian in a book with this title. But are you ready to find Wesley, CS Lewis, many Roman popes, saints and scholars, or novelist Charles Williams of the Inklings?
Read this and be delighted!
Rating:
Summary: Ideal introduction book
Review: Bishop Ware possesses the ability to transmit complex ideas in a very straight forward manor. Born in Great Britain, Bishop Kallistos is able to speak directly to his readers in English, which becomes an important and useful consideration as the issues become increasingly sophisticated. As one reads his books, it becomes abundantly clear that this is a man who posses a prodigious intellect and a warm heart. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (website) has a streaming video of an interview with the Bishop that is definitely worth checking out.
Rating:
Summary: Balanced and Informative
Review: Excellent book. Clearly explains so anyone can understand what it means to be Greek Orthodox. Even if you're not Greek Orthodox the explination of the development of Christianity is very interesting. Anyone who likes history and social studies should buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: the best book on Orthodoxy for most people
Review: I first read this book five years ago, and I still remember how uplifting it was. I'd always experienced theology as an intellectual struggle, but this book showed me that theology can be a deep, existential experience of God. As it did so, I saw clearly why Orthodox Christianity does not suffer from the theological diseases of the West. Of course, they have their own problems, but theology isn't one of them. In short, this book revolutionized my view and experience of Christianity. Amazingly perhaps, it's had this effect on other people as well.Let me describe some other similar books, to help you find what you're looking for. Ware's book "The Orthodox Church" introduces Orthodoxy to a Western audience, briefly covering history and some of the more common misunderstandings Westerners have. Though a little dry, it's most people's first book on Orthodoxy. Another very good book by the same author is "The Inner Kingdom," a collection of essays on various topics. In it, he doesn't cover the fundamentals of Orthodoxy, but he addresses many issues (such as environmentalism, death, confession and so on) in greater depth. And perhaps the best book on Orthodox theology is Olivier Clement's "Roots of Christian Mysticism," which makes the heart and depth of ancient Christian tradition accessible to modern readers. Hopefully one of these books is what you're looking for! (p.s. In case you are wondering, I am not Orthodox.)
Rating: 
Summary: The Orthodox Way
Review: I found Bp. Ware's "The Orthodox Way" to be very enlightening in explaining the mystical and theological aspects of Orthodox Christianity. It is a good source for those seeking to know the Truth. The Eastern Christian Churches were for centuries clouded and buried away, so to speak, by the West. It is now possible for everyone to know the complete truth about the ancient Orthodox Faith that has literally been unchanged since the time of the Apostles. As one who is currently seeking to know the Truth, this book has been very helpful in this regards.
Rating:
Summary: Reply to "Not Bad"
Review: I had been visiting Orthodox churches for a long time before I read this book and so must disagree with the reviewer from Alaska. I have seen in person the kind of prayer and life that Kallistos Ware describes in this book. Of course, everywhere you will find neurotic and superstitious people, but this is no judgement upon a book written by a man who is neither. It is true that the book is somewhat idealized, but its fault (if any) is in not showing the other side. It is good that Ware presents the best side of Orthodoxy, for we must know the best if we are to aspire to it. Who would wish to start out on a spiritual journey without an idea of the goal?
Rating:
Summary: The Right Way to Live
Review: I was on my way to becoming Orthodox when I first read this book; by the time I completed it, I had no doubt that being Orthodox is the "way" I want to live my life. Fr. Ware helps the reader understand the mysticism of Orthodoxy--often labeled the "quiet religion." Most important, I got a better understanding of what it really means to be a Christian.
Rating:
Summary: Further introduction to the Orthodox Church
Review: If anyone has read Ware's book, The Orthodox Church, then this book is a must read. For those who haven't read Ware's introductory work on Orthodoxy, this book will still be enlightening and rewarding. Bishop Ware's main purpose in this book is to introduce the reader to the more salient and deeper teachings of the Orthdox Christian faith. Ware begins by arguing that God is an ineffable and incomprehensible mystery that cannot be understood by the human mind. This squares well with traditional Eastern teaching, but not so well with Western paradigms. The Orthodox believe that God's Essence and Uncreated Divine Energies are two distinct and separate concepts, whereas the West, following after Augustine, believe that God's essence and energy are one and the same. Therefore, the Orthodox believe that God in His essence is completely mysterious and unknowable by man, but God's energies may be perceived and understood. Also, the Orthodox employ a different method in order to understand and know God called the apophatic approach. This method states that one can know something about God by understanding what God is not. I think this is a valuable method and one that needs to be utilized more by Christians of a Western mindset. Next Ware deals with the traditional Orthodox understanding of God as Trinity. Ware argues that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one in essence but consist as three separate persons. Nothing really new or groundbreaking here, but Ware does an admirable job of defending the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity. The area where many will disagree with him is on the issue of the procession of the Holy Spirit. The Orthodox believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father as Jesus says in John 15:26, whereas the West holds that the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Ware argues that to hold that the Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son can have disastrous consequences by leading one to confuse the distinctive characteristics possessed by each Divine person. Also, he believes that since such an idea was a later unauthorized addition to the creed, and not argued for by the Eastern Fathers of the Church it is to be rejected. Finally, Ware deals with the subject of God as creator and God in relation to man. Once again, one won't find to much disagreement between traditional Eastern teaching and Western teaching, but there are a few differences. The Orthodox have a completely different understanding of original sin. They believe that mankind is not guilty of Adam and Eve's sin since they can only be guilty of that transgression, but that we all bear the consequences of their disobedience. Since the human race exists as a corporate solidarity Ware argues, mankind suffers evil, pain, death and sin because we are related to and descend from Adam and Eve. Lastly, Ware deals with the subject of God as man and God as Spirit. Ware shows why the Incarnation was an absolute necessity because of the sinfulness and fallen nature of mankind. He speaks of the redemptive significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and here is where Ware goes off the beaten track by hinting that maybe even Satan and the fallen angels will eventually be redeemed. I believe that Scripture seriously mittigates against such a view and leaves no doubt about the fate of Satan and his demons. Also, Ware's treatment of spiritual toll houses and the 40 journey after death are odd and are not well established teachings within Orthodoxy. In fact, such a teaching seems to have more in common with early pagan beliefs than early Christian teaching. Although the 40 days following one's death is an imporant time in Orthodoxy, the belief that one is tested and tried on a path of toll houses is not a common teaching. Overall, this book is an excellent work on the basic tenets of the Orthodox Christian faith. Although it does have some awkward elements it is still an excellent book and one that should be read by anyone interested in learning more about the Orthodox Church.
Rating:
Summary: Further introduction to the Orthodox Church
Review: If anyone has read Ware's book, The Orthodox Church, then this book is a must read. For those who haven't read Ware's introductory work on Orthodoxy, this book will still be enlightening and rewarding. Bishop Ware's main purpose in this book is to introduce the reader to the more salient and deeper teachings of the Orthdox Christian faith. Ware begins by arguing that God is an ineffable and incomprehensible mystery that cannot be understood by the human mind. This squares well with traditional Eastern teaching, but not so well with Western paradigms. The Orthodox believe that God's Essence and Uncreated Divine Energies are two distinct and separate concepts, whereas the West, following after Augustine, believe that God's essence and energy are one and the same. Therefore, the Orthodox believe that God in His essence is completely mysterious and unknowable by man, but God's energies may be perceived and understood. Also, the Orthodox employ a different method in order to understand and know God called the apophatic approach. This method states that one can know something about God by understanding what God is not. I think this is a valuable method and one that needs to be utilized more by Christians of a Western mindset. Next Ware deals with the traditional Orthodox understanding of God as Trinity. Ware argues that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one in essence but consist as three separate persons. Nothing really new or groundbreaking here, but Ware does an admirable job of defending the traditional Christian doctrine of the Trinity. The area where many will disagree with him is on the issue of the procession of the Holy Spirit. The Orthodox believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father as Jesus says in John 15:26, whereas the West holds that the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Ware argues that to hold that the Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son can have disastrous consequences by leading one to confuse the distinctive characteristics possessed by each Divine person. Also, he believes that since such an idea was a later unauthorized addition to the creed, and not argued for by the Eastern Fathers of the Church it is to be rejected. Finally, Ware deals with the subject of God as creator and God in relation to man. Once again, one won't find to much disagreement between traditional Eastern teaching and Western teaching, but there are a few differences. The Orthodox have a completely different understanding of original sin. They believe that mankind is not guilty of Adam and Eve's sin since they can only be guilty of that transgression, but that we all bear the consequences of their disobedience. Since the human race exists as a corporate solidarity Ware argues, mankind suffers evil, pain, death and sin because we are related to and descend from Adam and Eve. Lastly, Ware deals with the subject of God as man and God as Spirit. Ware shows why the Incarnation was an absolute necessity because of the sinfulness and fallen nature of mankind. He speaks of the redemptive significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and here is where Ware goes off the beaten track by hinting that maybe even Satan and the fallen angels will eventually be redeemed. I believe that Scripture seriously mittigates against such a view and leaves no doubt about the fate of Satan and his demons. Also, Ware's treatment of spiritual toll houses and the 40 journey after death are odd and are not well established teachings within Orthodoxy. In fact, such a teaching seems to have more in common with early pagan beliefs than early Christian teaching. Although the 40 days following one's death is an imporant time in Orthodoxy, the belief that one is tested and tried on a path of toll houses is not a common teaching. Overall, this book is an excellent work on the basic tenets of the Orthodox Christian faith. Although it does have some awkward elements it is still an excellent book and one that should be read by anyone interested in learning more about the Orthodox Church.
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