Of what life do we speak, what life do we preach, proclaim, and announce when, as Christians, we confess that Christ died for the life of the world?
In For the Life of the World Alexander Schmemann suggests an approach to the world and life within it, which stems from the liturgical experience of the Orthodox Church. He understands issues such as secularism and Christian culture from the perspective of the unbroken experience of the Church, as revealed and communicated in her worship, in her liturgy—the sacrament of the world, the sacrament of the Kingdom.
For over half a century For the Life of the World has challenged, illumined, and inspired readers from many backgrounds. For some it is an introduction to the Orthodox Church, while for others it is a call to plunge more deeply into the life of the Kingdom, both manifested and anticipated here and now in the liturgy of the Church. This updated edition of Schmemann’s classic text includes a new foreword by Dr Edith M. Humphrey, along with new explanatory notes and an index.
About the Author: Fr Alexander Schmemann was a prolific writer, brilliant lecturer, and dedicated pastor. Former dean and professor of liturgical theology at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, his insight into contemporary culture and liturgical celebration left an indelible mark on the Christian community worldwide.
1 review
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Wonderful classic with a small problem
Recently finished listening to this book through Audible. I have wanted to read this for a long time, and it is rich and full of challenge and insight. I am an orthodox inquirer and read this with my husband who is a Protestant and very against Orthodox Church. He felt some sting when criticism is spoken against Protestants and western Christianity, but still found much of the content to be of interest. I found it to be at times difficult to comprehend, and at other times delightfully enlightening.
The small problem that I hope will be resolved by SVS press is that most of section 7 in chapter 3 is missing. It is a great couple paragraphs and takes away from the listing experience.
