as I haven't finished reading it (barely begun), I can't offer a review, so I'll make it a preview - for it's a book I've been looking forward to digesting for quite some time. It starts with a bang (bigger than the big bang) and approaches its subject from the disposition of one involved in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Among other things, the author catches my attention again and again. Here's a sampler so far.
- making it clear that this is not a syncretistic writing - which reminds me of a speaker I heard many many years ago (Ajith Fernando) who made sure we understood his point, being that there is no religion that contains the truth; All religions POINT to the truth though, and that truth is Christ.
- The Gospel of John begins powerfully, talking about the Logos (word) being God and with God and all things were created through the Logos. An Eastern Orthodox translation of this uses Tao (way) instead of Logos, and they do seem to be quite interchangeable. In as much as Heraclitus recognized Christ as he spoke of the mystery of the Logos, Lao Tzu recognized Christ as he spoke of the mystery of the Tao.
- the author speaks of how seekers in america are leaving the teachings of the churches and studying eastern thought. His interpretation of this movement (certainly resonates with me) is that the image of Christ is seriously obscured in the grossly tarnished image the american christian church puts forth. Whereas, though in Lao Tzu's writing, and still in Taoism, though as a dim reflection, a purer image of Christ can be found. It is easier to be pointed to Christ via Taoism than by the american christian establishment.
- that even after immersing oneself in Taoism, there still exists the seed that Christ planted that draws you further into faith in Christ - which is what drew the author back into the Eastern Orthodox tradition. (Though it seems that Orthodox tradition already has a fair openness to Taoist thought if only for its strong presence in and proximity to China.)
here's a few links:
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