The Spiritual World of Isaac the Syrian Spiritual World of Isaac the Syrian

Title Page; Copyright; Dedication; Table of Contents; Forword: Bishop Kallistos [Ware]; Introduction. Isaac of Nineveh as a Spiritual Writer of the Church of the East; 1. The Church of the East at the Time of Isaac; 2. The Christology of the Church of the East; 3. The Life of Isaac the Syrian; 4. The Writings of Isaac; 5. The Sources of Isaac's Theology; Chapter I. God, the Universe and Humankind; 1. Divine Love which Reveals Itself through the Created World; 2. The Structure of the Created World; 3. The Incarnation; Chapter II. The Way of a Solitary; 1. Solitude and Renunciation of the World.;Isaac the Syrian, also called Isaac of Nineveh, lived and wrote during "the golden age of Syriac Christian literature" in the seventh century. Cut off by language and politics from the Churches of the Roman Empire and branded "Nestorian," the Church of the East produced in isolation a rich theological literature which is only now becoming known to outsiders. Yet over the centuries and in all parts of Christendom, Isaac's works have been read and recommended as unquestionably orthodox. Now, at last, to my great delight, we have at our disposal a single book in English, offering us a balanced and comprehensive overview of Isaac's life, background and teaching. Wisely, Fr. Hilarion Alfeyev has allowed Isaac to speak for himself. The book is full of well-chosen quotations, in which Isaac's true voice can be heard. Saint Isaac of Syria was an ascetic, a mountain solitary, but his writings are universal in scope. They are addressed not just to the desert but to the city, not just to monastics but to all the baptized. With sharp vividness he speaks about themes relevant to every Christian: about repentance and humility, about prayer in its many forms, both outer and inner, about solitude and community, about silence, wonder, and ecstasy. Along with the emphasis that he places upon "luminous love"--To use his own phrase--two things above all mark his spiritual theology: his sense of God as living mystery; and his warm devotion to the Saviour Christ. Isaac The Syrian, Also Called Isaac Of Nineveh, Lived And Wrote During The Golden Age Of Syriac Christian Literature In The Seventh Century. Cut Off By Language And Politics From The Churches Of The Roman Empire And Branded Nestorian, The Church Of The East Produced In Isolation A Rich Theological Literature Which Is Only Now Becoming Known To Outsiders. Yet Over The Centuries And In All Parts Of Christendom, Isaac's Works Have Been Read And Recommended As Unquestionably Orthodox. Now, At Last, To My Great Delight, We Have At Our Disposal A Single Book In English, Offering Us A Balanced And Comprehensive Overview Of Isaac's Life, Background And Teaching. Wisely, Fr. Hilarion Alfeyev Has Allowed Isaac To Speak For Himself. The Book Is Full Of Well-chosen Quotations, In Which Isaac's True Voice Can Be Heard. Saint Isaac Of Syria Was An Ascetic, A Mountain Solitary, But His Writings Are Universal In Scope. They Are Addressed Not Just To The Desert But To The City, Not Just To Monastics But To All The Baptized. With Sharp Vividness He Speaks About Themes Relevant To Every Christian: About Repentance And Humility, About Prayer In Its Many Forms, Both Outer And Inner, About Solitude And Community, About Silence, Wonder, And Ecstasy. Along With The Emphasis That He Places Upon Luminous Love--to Use His Own Phrase--two Things Above All Mark His Spiritual Theology: His Sense Of God As Living Mystery; And His Warm Devotion To The Saviour Christ. Forward / Bishop Kallistos (ware) -- Introduction. Isaac Of Nineveh As A Spiritual Writer Of The Church Of The East -- I. God, The Universe And Humankind -- Ii. The Way Of A Solitary -- Iii. Trials On The Way To God -- Iv. Humility -- V. Tears -- Vi. The School Of Prayer -- Vii. The Life In God -- Viii. The Life Of The Age To Come -- Conclusion : The Enduring Influence Of Saint Isaac. By Hilarion Alfeyev ; Foreword By Bishop Kallistos (ware) Of Diokleia. Originally Published: Kalamazoo, Mich. : Cistercian Publications, 2000. A Cistercian Publications Title Published By Liturgical Press--title Page Verso. Issued As Part Of Book Collections On Project Muse. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 303-314) And Indexes. Mode Of Access: World Wide Web. Forword Bishop Kallistos [Ware] 9 Introduction. Isaac of Nineveh as a Spiritual Writer of the Church of the East 15 1. The Church of the East at the Time of Isaac 16 2. The Christology of the Church of tire East 20 3. The Life of Isaac the Syrian 25 4. The Writings of Isaac 29 5. The Sources of Isaac’s Theology 32 Chapter I. God, the Universe and Humankind 35 1. Divine Love which Reveals Itself through the Created World 35 2. The Structure of the Created World 43 3. The Incarnation 49 Chapter II. The Way of a Solitary 61 1. Solitude and Renunciation of the World 61 2. Love of God and Love of One’s Neighbour 67 3. Stillness and Silence 77 4. A Monastic Way to God 81 Chapter III. Trials on the Way to God 91 1. Temptations 91 2. Experience ofAbandonment 101 Chapter IV. Humility 111 1. Humility as Assimilation to God 111 2. Humility as an Inner Quality 116 3. External Signs of Humility 123 Chapter V. Tears 129 1. Repentance 129 2. Bitter and Sweet Tears 134 Chapter VI. The School of Prayer 143 1. Prayer 144 2. Outward Aspects of Prayer 150 3. Prayer before the Cross 163 4. Reading 174 5. Night Prayer 184 6. The ‘Rule of Slavery’ and the ‘Rule of Freedom’ 193 7. Prayer for the World 201 8. Meditation on God and ‘Pure Prayer’ 208 Chapter VTI. The Life in God 217 1. ‘Spiritual Prayer’ and the Stillness ofMind 21.8 2. Contemplation 223 3. Visions, Revelations, Insights 229 4. ‘Overshadowing’ and ‘Illumination’ 236 5. Wonder 241 6. ‘Inebriation’ by the Love of God 248 7. Faith and Knowledge 256 Chapter VIII. The Life of the Age to Come 269 1. Meditation on the Future World 270 2. Life after Death 274 3. Eternal Punishment or Universal Salvation? 283 4. Divine Love which Reveals Itself in the Final Destiny of the World 292 Conclusion: The Enduring Influence of Saint Isaac 299 Bibliography 303 Index of Syriac Terms 313 General Index 315 From the Foreword by Kallistos Ware, Bishop of Diokleia— Isaac the Syrian, also called Isaac of Nineveh, lived and wrote during "the golden age of Syriac Christian literature" in the seventh century. Cut off by language and politics from the Churches of the Roman Empire and branded "Nestorian," the Church of the East produced in isolation a rich theological literature which is only now becoming known to outsiders. Yet over the centuries and in all parts of Christendom, Isaac's works have been read and recommended as unquestionably orthodox. Now, at last, to my great delight, we have at our disposal a single book in English, offering us a balanced and comprehensive overview of Isaac's life, background and teaching. Wisely, Fr. Hilarion Alfeyev has allowed Isaac to speak for himself. The book is full of well-chosen quotations, in which Isaac's true voice can be heard. Saint Isaac of Syria was an ascetic, a mountain solitary, but his writings are universal in scope. They are addressed not just to the desert but to the city, not just to monastics but to all the baptized. With sharp vividness he speaks about themes relevant to every Christian: about repentance and humility, about prayer in its many forms, both outer and inner, about solitude and community, about silence, wonder, and ecstasy. Along with the emphasis that he places upon "luminous love"—to use his own phrase—two things above all mark his spiritual theology: his sense of God as living mystery; and his warm devotion to the Saviour Christ.