Divine Energy: The Orthodox Path to Christian Victory

by Jon E. Braun and Fr. Jon Braun

Book Overview

Jesus Christ promised His followers, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). But many contemporary Christians struggle with the "more abundantly" part. Having placed their faith in Christ, they wait for their lives to change-and too often they wait in vain. Fr. Jon Braun explains in simple, basic terms the ancient Church's understanding of what Christians need to do to access divine energy...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0962271314
• ISBN13: 9780962271311
• Release Date: January 2016
• Publisher: Ancient Faith Publishing
• Length: 186 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Really good for inquirers in the Orthodox faith

A good concise help to finding 'what' living the life of Christ is all about from an 'Eastern' perspective for 'Western Christians.'A very good read [and quick] for an inquirer into the Orthodox faith. Our reading group/inquirer's class found it to be very informative and enjoyable. After reading this tackle "On The Incarnation" by St. Athanasius...Orthodoxy alive is best read from the source...alternately read the 'moderns' with the ancients, it is very rewarding.Braun's "Divine Energy" really helps 'Western Christians' learn about theosis, the heart of Orthodoxy...check out his illustration of our life in Christ like a sword in the fire.

A very good introduction to Orthodox Spirituality

Fr. Jon Braun's book is best explained by its subtitle, "The Orthodox Path to Christian Victory". Rather than simply asking Jesus into our hearts and expecting a prosperous life simply because we are Christian, the author urges us to fight the good fight (cf. 2 Tim. 4:7) and to wage all-out war with sin. In the preface of the book, he writes: "It has been my experience that there are millions of committed Christians in Protestant Churches who sincerely love God with all their hearts but who also have discovered that the Christian life is often...a battle against sin. They...are frustrated because they aren't winning what they believe should be their share of those spiritual wars. It is my conviction that in the depth of Orthodox theology and spirituality, new--actually, old--answers may be found." (page xi)Beginning with an assessment of the battle all Christians have been called to fight, Fr. Jon then turns to basic Orthodox theology regarding the Trinity, the Incarnation, etc. as the foundation for our struggle in this battle. Finally, he explains the tools, or weapons, we may use to fight the good fight such as prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and living a virtuous life. These tools have been used in and encouraged by the Church for 2000 years. They are "time-tested". Fr. Jon writes: "We don't have to experiment. The Church now has two thousand years of battle knowledge behind her. We can trust what she's learned..." (p. 146)I highly recommend this book as a good, solid introduction to basic Orthodox spirituality. It is well-written in a common language which anyone can understand. After one has read this book, I would also recommend ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION by Bishop of Nafpaktos Hierotheos (published by Birth of the Theotokos Monastery).The below review of this book is very misleading. DIVINE ENERGIES has nothing to do with cruelty to animals.