Book Review: The Evangelical Theology of the Orthodox Church by Bradley Nassif

In this book, Professor Bradley Nassif has provided significant insight that is seldom found anywhere else. Positioned as very few others are, he brings clarity to vital matters within Orthodoxy while using language that is usually associated with other Christian traditions. In doing so, he has crafted a work of tremendous ecumenical importance. Nassif has extensive experience with different branches of Christianity, holding degrees from Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox institutions and having taught in prominent universities from different traditions as well. Perhaps, the best way to describe Nassif’s skill is that he can ‘speak the language’ of each group with fluency. The publication begins with a Foreword from esteemed Professor Andrew Louth, which excellently frames the nature and importance of the work as a whole. Louth helpfully signals the fact that this book is mostly a collection of previously published essays and conference lectures. Nassif’s own introduction (entitled ‘What is the Gospel’) is also useful in setting the tone of the book. The stated goal involves ‘making the gospel clear and central’ for both Orthodox and non-Orthodox Christians (p. 9). Nassif therefore envisions an audience comprised of both Evangelicals and Orthodox, and readers of both kinds are expected to gain a fuller awareness of what the gospel has meant for the Church throughout its history. The terms ‘gospel’ and ‘evangelical’ are wisely qualified to avoid confusion with assorted popular conceptions. This allows Nassif to speak of the ‘evangelical ethos’ (p. 12) within Orthodoxy and the gospel as a ‘many-sided mystery’ (p. 13) rather than a narrowly defined dogma. Because the different essays do not necessarily lend themselves to a cohesive flow of thought, the book is divided into two major sections. Part One focuses on the ways that core evangelical traits have always been part of the rich Orthodox tradition. To accomplish this task, Nassif draws heavily from the Ecumenical Councils and from the Philokalia, with special attention given to some neglected Church Fathers. Part Two deals more directly with the relationship between Orthodoxy and Evangelicalism and is somewhat less academic in style. It is here that Nassif’s gracious and generous ecumenical motivations are most manifest. He admirably offers praise about various features of both Evangelicalism and Orthodoxy without refraining from simultaneously making serious criticisms – especially regarding the nominalism of his own Orthodox tradition. Inevitably, there will be some Evangelicals who are unsatisfied with Nassif’s portrayal of their specific branch, but overall, this reviewer was impressed by the tact and precision of this section. In fact, it may even be that some Evangelicals will glean new perspectives about their theological particulars due to the way that Nassif locates them in a broader Christian context. Some of the strongest essays in the first section explore the thinking and theology of St John Chrysostom. The excellence of these contributions largely flows from doctoral research conducted under Fr John Meyendorff. In particular, Nassif’s expert analysis of Chrysostom’s biblical Book Review