{"product_id":"defending-the-ancient-faith-adrian-cross-9798277931288","title":"Defending the Ancient Faith: An Orthodox Christian Response to Common Criticisms","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDefending Eastern Orthodoxy: A Comprehensive Guide to the Ancient Christian Faith\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor two thousand years, Orthodox Christianity has preserved the apostolic faith in its fullness-unchanged liturgy, ancient theology, and transformative spirituality. Yet for many Western Christians, Orthodoxy remains mysterious, misunderstood, or dismissed as ethnic tradition rather than living faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis book changes that.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWritten by an Orthodox Christian for Catholic and Protestant readers, \u003ci\u003eDefending Eastern Orthodoxy\u003c\/i\u003e offers a comprehensive, accessible introduction to the Orthodox faith while addressing the most common criticisms and misconceptions. From icon veneration to the Great Schism, from theosis to the filioque controversy, from liturgical worship to hesychasm, this book explains what Orthodox Christianity actually teaches-and why it matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eInside, you'll discover: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe Orthodox understanding of salvation\u003c\/b\u003e as healing and transformation, not just legal acquittal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe historical roots of the East-West schism\u003c\/b\u003e and why it happened\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBiblical and patristic defenses\u003c\/b\u003e of icon veneration, honoring Mary and the saints, and the role of Tradition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhy Orthodox Christianity rejects papal supremacy\u003c\/b\u003e while maintaining ancient church structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe forgotten Western doctrine of theosis\u003c\/b\u003e-becoming partakers of the divine nature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHow liturgical worship forms Christians\u003c\/b\u003e more effectively than contemporary alternatives\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe therapeutic purpose of asceticism\u003c\/b\u003e-fasting, prayer rules, and physical discipline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOrthodox approaches to mystery and paradox\u003c\/b\u003e that Western either\/or thinking often misses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhat Western Christianity can learn\u003c\/b\u003e from Orthodox theology, spirituality, and practice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor Joshua brings decades of study and lived Orthodox experience to this defense of the ancient faith. Writing with scholarship and accessibility, he takes Protestant and Catholic objections seriously while demonstrating why Orthodox Christianity has preserved the fullness of apostolic Christianity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhether you're Orthodox seeking to better articulate your faith, a Western Christian curious about Orthodoxy, or simply interested in early Christian theology and practice, this book offers clarity, depth, and an invitation to explore the riches of the world's second-largest Christian communion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIncludes: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExtensive biblical and patristic citations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical documentation of the Great Schism and theological controversies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eResponses to common criticisms from Catholic and Protestant perspectives\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePractical guidance for those exploring Orthodox Christianity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscussion of contemporary issues including phyletism, jurisdictional challenges, and paths forward\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe ancient faith is not dead-it lives in Orthodox Christianity. Come and see.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Adrian Cross\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798277931288\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 12\/08\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 378\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.11lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.78d","brand":"Adrian Cross","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48154273415423,"sku":"9798277931288","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_bc1bca6a-c4f8-4171-86ca-c1fdc37b6a65.jpg?v=1770789058","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/defending-the-ancient-faith-adrian-cross-9798277931288","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}