The Luminous Eye: The Spiritual World Vision of Saint Ephrem (Cistercian Studies, No 124)

Rating:
Summary: Poetry and wisdom
Review: I've read this book twice, and have had the pleasure of introducing a number of people to the wonderful hymns of St. Ephrem. Here is an introduction to much more than the writings of an obscure ancient poet; the book is a primer in ancient Christian spirituality (perhaps just occasionally with some anachronistically modern "spirituality"; for that, maybe the book should get 4 1/2 stars). Great themes: paradox, e.g. God hidden and revealed in the Incarnation; the "two witnesses" of Scripture and nature; spirituality, sacrament, and symbolism; patterns of complementarity and contrast in the sacred scriptures; role of the intellect in the life of faith; theosis and exchange, etc. If you admire the writings of Dante, George MacDonald, Charles Williams or C. S. Lewis, you will find a true forbear of theirs here. British composer Sir John Tavener has drawn on Ephrem for texts of at least three of his compositions, including the superlative "Thunder Entered Her" of 1990. I included some of Ephrem's verse in a course and after that, students were coming by my office to tell about how moved by or interested in Ephrem, etc. they found themselves to be. I also recommend Brock's book of translations, HYMNS ON PARADISE. Buy both, and read them. They help Christians to contemplate the Mysteries.