Catholicity and the Church

St. Vladimirs Seminary Press, March 1997. Paper Back. New. The essays presented in this book, several of which were delivered at ecumenical gatherings, represent Orthodox ecclesiological thinking at its best. The issues that divide the Orthodox from Catholic and Protestant Christians come down to two: What is tradition? (how do we get to the truth?) and What is catholicity? (where does the fullness of truth reside?). Meyendorff articulates Orthodox teaching clearly, treading the narrow path between triumphalist fanaticism (listeners to which know pride and bigotry when they hear it and remain listeners not for long) and sentimental accommodationism, which longs for reunion based on fellow-feeling rather than the hard road of faithfulness to truth. Meyendorff is also exemplary in that he fairly represents opposing positions, not second-guessing motives. He has done something fundamental, something quite wonderful and powerful in attempting to resolve a controversy: He has really listened. He has really understood.