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Rating: 
Summary: A Primer on Orthdoxy
Review: My review of Carlton's other book "The Way" landed me into discussions with fellow Orthodox Christians, some of who agreed with me and a few who felt my review was negative (I'm still not sure how a 3 star rating, basically average, is entirely negative). I read this book in giving Carlton another chance (a re-reading of the "The Way" only entrenced my position).Carlton's book here is better and less polemic than the other "The Way." Further, it provides valuable information about Orthodoxy. The book does have some weaknesses. He still does not spend enough time on "theosis." This is such a central teaching that it surprises me that he does not cover it more fully; however, there are many strengths in this book. First, he does a masterfull job in expalining many Orthodox postions such as the incarnation, the Trinity, and the Creation event. The purpose of a book for catechums is to provide the faith in a nutshell, while still providng enough information for serious study and later development. This he does well. Secondly, after most sections, there is a "reflection" page with simple, but important questions that the reader or leader of the study can use to reflect on the material and more. He presents well written chapters on the structure of the church, baptism, and even monasticism should answer most inquiers' questions. Another weakness, is arguably a strength (depending on the audience). Many chapters are too short and require more depth; however, for most begginers or inquirers, the length anf explainations are probably just about right and used with supplemental material, this is a decent, although not a comprehensive tool, for inquirers about the teachings of Orthodoxy.
Rating:
Summary: A Primer on Orthdoxy
Review: My review of Carlton's other book "The Way" landed me into discussions with fellow Orthodox Christians, some of who agreed with me and a few who felt my review was negative (I'm still not sure how a 3 star rating, basically average, is entirely negative). I read this book in giving Carlton another chance (a re-reading of the "The Way" only entrenced my position). Carlton's book here is better and less polemic than the other "The Way." Further, it provides valuable information about Orthodoxy. The book does have some weaknesses. He still does not spend enough time on "theosis." This is such a central teaching that it surprises me that he does not cover it more fully; however, there are many strengths in this book. First, he does a masterfull job in expalining many Orthodox postions such as the incarnation, the Trinity, and the Creation event. The purpose of a book for catechums is to provide the faith in a nutshell, while still providng enough information for serious study and later development. This he does well. Secondly, after most sections, there is a "reflection" page with simple, but important questions that the reader or leader of the study can use to reflect on the material and more. He presents well written chapters on the structure of the church, baptism, and even monasticism should answer most inquiers' questions. Another weakness, is arguably a strength (depending on the audience). Many chapters are too short and require more depth; however, for most begginers or inquirers, the length anf explainations are probably just about right and used with supplemental material, this is a decent, although not a comprehensive tool, for inquirers about the teachings of Orthodoxy.
Rating:
Summary: A Word of Caution
Review: While this book does an excellent job of telling the reader some of the essentials of the Orthodox teaching regarding salvation and how it differs from western concepts, I found the author got off track on the issue of God's justice. While qouting St. Isaac the Syrian that "God is not just", Carlton takes this too far and simply over looks the testimony of the rest of the fathers who do in fact declare that God is just. Also he really doesn't do much of a job with the whole faith and works debate as well as the eternal security debate. He really should have handled these issues in greater depth. However the book does contain some genuinely good information. Read it in conjunction with other Orthodox works on salvation, the fathers and with a grain of salt.
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