What We're Reading

Bill's Corner


I have been reading Paul Evdokimov’s Ages of the Spiritual Life (formerly called The Struggle With God, which, in some respects, is a better title) over a number of weeks. It is a gem of a book – not what I would consider a “fast read”, although it is not a long work. To me at least, it was like a small feast – meant to be savored, and not intimidating as some Orthodox ascetical works can be. Evdokimov’s writing reminds me somewhat of the late Fr. Alexander Schmemann. Perhaps that should come as no surprise considering they both have roots in the Parisian school of St. Sergius and were in some respects contemporaries. One might also draw some loose comparisons to the work of Protestant author Francis Schaeffer (Sr.), in that Evdokimov addresses his readers in the context of their modern, secular culture and it’s philosophical underpinnings. Ages is clearly for those within the Church, but is also, in part, orthodox apologetic.

In Ages, Evdokimov (reposed 1970) delivers a broad brush-stroke of our modern, earthly predicament as it relates to the development, practice and preservation of monasticism. Interestingly, Evdokimov himself was not a monk (although he was a well-known friend of monks), nor was he ordained clergy. We have often said on the program that the truths and praxis of the Orthodox Faith is truly the same for every man, and as a layman, Evdokimov provides a treatise as to how the laity can grasp a deeper Orthodox spirituality without eccentricity or withdrawing from our family, neighbors and society at large – those who need the love of Christ and the witness of the Gospel. Evidokimov calls this interiorized monasticism, capturing the discipline and commitment of the monastic tradition for the inner and material man, living in the world but not being of it. Evdokimov does not challenge modern orthodox monasticism, but rather seeks to connect the laity to the accomplishments of the monastic tradition on their behalf, and also on behalf of the world at large.

As was mentioned, Ages is not a difficult book, except for the first chapter on Atheism, which may be a bit of a wade for those not schooled in modern philosophy (Evdokimov earned his PhD in the subject addressing the problem of evil in Dostoyevsky). Also, there are times when Evdokimov’s insights stretched my sense of credulity, but his consistent and plentiful use of Scripture and the writings of the Fathers inclined me to critique myself first rather than hold him in suspicion too long.

I’ll leave it to our readers to judge for themselves. Ages, under the title The Struggle With God is available in HTML format at http://www.tuirgin.com/files/texts/orthodoxy/Evdokimov/StruggleWithGod/html. If you choose to read it, please feel free to write OLIC and express your own opinion.

I give it 7.5 out of 10 candles

Click here to buy this book
Reviewed by Bill