Illuminating Icon

ANTHONY UGOLNIK, RICHARD MOUW

ISBN 10: 080284782X / ISBN 13: 9780802847829

Published by Lightning Source Inc January 2002, 2002

About this Item

A Russian Orthodox growing up in Michigan during the Cold War, Anthony Ugolnik acutely experienced the tension between Americans and Soviets through the end of the last century. His book first calls Christians in the West to re-examine old and entrenched beliefs about Eastern Christians suffering under communism; the West, he says, needs the unique and encouraging perspective brought by this suffering. He strives to translate the Russian experience into the contemporary Western idiom, since words like \'symbol,\' \'liturgy,\' \'church\' and \'theology\' have very different meanings for the Eastern mind. But, as Ugolnik laments, 'the abandonment of passions, particularly political passions, is a hard and sweaty struggle.' Fear, and not mere politics divided Russian and American Christians-a fear unbecoming those called to life in Christ. The very datedness of the book's references to the Cold War throws into relief the timelessness and relevance of its central message: Russian Christians (and now simply substitute Sudanese or Egyptian or Indonesian) can testify to what countless suffering Christians have borne witness through the centuries: Resurrection is only attainable through crucifixion. Whatever our cultural hindrances, we do well to overcome them to grasp that particular witness.

Seller Inventory # 6065

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Illuminating Icon
• Publisher: Lightning Source Inc January 2002
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 080284782X
• ISBN 13: 9780802847829
• Binding: Paper Back
• Condition: New
• Seller catalogs:
  • Eastern Christendom

About this title

Synopsis

This is a print on demand book and is therefore non- returnable.

"In Christ there is no East or West," claims a familiar hymn. But the truth is that American Christians know little about Russian Orthodox Christians and harbor many misconceptions about them. In this revealing book Anthony Ugolnik shows how the thousand-year-old Russian Orthodox tradition actively shapes the life of contemporary Russian Christians, and he points out how Russian Orthodoxy can inform and enrich American Christianity. Ugolnik speaks from a unique perspective: of Russian descent, he is an American Christian who has a strong and genuine personal bond with Russian Christians.

Ugolnik begins his discussion by exploring the alienation between Russians and Americans - a cultural and religious alienation that is still very strong today, despite changing rhetoric and glasnost. Americans tend to picture Russian Christians as "cowed and ragged masses"; on the contrary, says Ugolnik, they are "a stalwart, strong community." American Christians also tend to be suspicious about the role of icons in Russian Orthodox worship. But Ugolnik points out that icons are not idols; rather, they are religious objects that "image forth" the majesty of God. This powerful sense of the holy that pervades Russian Orthodoxy could reinvigorate American Christianity.

Indeed, the Russian Orthodox have much to offer American Christians, according to Ugolnik. They place a much greater emphasis on community in their life and worship — an emphasis that could help transform the individualistic faith of many American Christians. Similarly, the Orthodox emphasis on historical and spiritual continuity — in contrast to the imagery of restoration and revival in Reformation Christianity — could strengthen the worship and witness of American Christians. And the Orthodox sense of the beautiful — born of a complex aesthetics that undergirds Russian faith and culture — could enrich the foundation as well as the expression of American Christianity. In the end, American and Russian Christians share the common dilemma of how to relate to the secular world around them, and the Russian Orthodox emphasis on dialogue and engagement could vitalize the way American Christians live out their faith.

In this multifaceted book Ugolnik weaves personal experiences with richly developed explorations of Russian and American belief and incisive observations that draw on the literature, philosophy, theology, and history of both cultures. With both passion and compassion Ugolnik urges Russian and American Christians to look to "the illuminating icon of our incarnate God" for guidance: "Let that icon draw us deep into the mystery of a shared life in the Spirit."

About the Author

Richard J. Mouw (PhD, University of Chicago) is president and professor of Christian philosophy at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He is a Beliefnet.com columnist and the author of numerous books.