First, I would like to say what this book is not about. It is not about books that Orthodox Christians consider to be canonical (Judith, Tobit, 1-3 Maccabees, etc). I mention this because the title "Apocrypha" may cause someone to assume that Fr. Dr. De Young is saying that these books are less than canonical and then get all upset (saying things like "These books aren't apocryphal! We're Orthodox, not Protestants!"). Well, if that's how you reacted, you've been trolled.

What this book is actually about is books that are actually apocryphal (i.e. books that are not to be read authoritatively in public in the Church, but that may be read privately in the home). The introductory chapter that explains things like the meaning of canon and the more general definition of apocrypha is very helpful for this former Protestant. The Fathers did not view books in a binary way (Canonical and good vs Heretical and bad). Rather, some things were canonical and to be read in church and considered to be perfectly profitable. Some books were helpful and to be read in the home and considered to be imperfectly profitable. And still some books were considered to be heretical and not worth the papyrus they were copied onto. De Young's book concerns itself with books listed by St. Nikephoros that belong in the second category.

The book is then split up into two major parts; the first part being Old Testament and Second Temple literature, and the second part being New Testament and the Apostolic Fathers. Each part is then composed of several different chapters which each focus on a particular book of that era. In my opinion, the chapters on the book of 1 Enoch and the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs alone are worth the price of admission. My one criticism is that I wish that Fr. Dr. De Young had included more quotes from the texts being surveyed, but he often includes references so you can track down the text that he is writing about.

Some may wonder why Fr. Dr. De Young spent so much time writing a book like this, and maybe you are wondering if you purchase a copy and take the time to read it. I would say it is a very worthwhile read. A book like this does not teach dogmatics. This book also does not teach practical Christian life. What this book helps with is teaching one about the world in which Christ and the Apostles lived and taught. It gives context to the events of the New Testament. There are things that the Apostles wrote that the original audience would have immediately grasped because they were familiar with the general content of these books. Twenty-one centuries have passed since the time of the Apostles, and because of that, there may be things that we do not easily grasp because we are so disconnected from their time and context. This book helps to close that gap.

All in all, it's a great book. It is helpful for understanding the world of the Apostles and early Church. It is useful for not having a binary understanding of canonicity. True, the Apocryphal books are not canonical and are not read in Church, but the holy Fathers have advised that these books be read at home for our benefit. This book will help us all to do that intelligently.

Very nice the individuals that I gave it out to really liked it

I love it. Very pretty threading.

Outstanding. Well written, so much historical information that provides important context and helps us gain a better understanding of the times - the laws, traditions,… at the Crucifixion.

It’s beautiful

Now I understand how we got to where we are politically, culturally, economically, and theologically.

Pure common sense so easy to relate to.

A beautiful book with even more beautiful, rich content. A new life-long favorite.

These cards are perfect for so many different occassions. You will not find a store-bought card that will rival these cards, either in design or beauty. Well-done!

These cards are perfect for so many different occassions. You will not find a store-bought card that will rival these cards, either in design or beauty. Well-done!

I love it!!

What a lovely surprise to find this book being narrated by a child around the same age as the children in the story! I loved that, and so did my 7 year old. My older children wanted more of a full cast, but we still enjoyed the story and the narration.

The story itself, of a family of five, with two boys who would love to own BMX bikes but have a few obstacles to get them, is absolutely heartwarming, a perfect read for the fall or around Christmas. My children, also in a clergy family, loved that this was a story about a clergy family. All families will enjoy the typical conflicts and struggles a family will go through, and those who are not in clergy families will get a peek into what it's like to be a PK, too. PK's all over the world will appreciate your empathy!

I gave this book to my sister, who also has a young son, and they read it together in one sitting. She told me it brought tears to her eyes, too. Enjoy this lovely story in print or in audio - it is a delight.

I also plan to add this book to our church lending library.

It’s on my short list to read.

Excellent!

Disclaimer: I was given a review copy of this book in audio format.

This book helped me uncover implicit Gnosticism that I had been taught since I was a youth. Phillips isn’t attempting a careful polemic to try and convert everyone over to his side, but instead is giving an introduction to a more holistic non-dualistic form of Christianity to help show what the other side is missing. A good deal of time is spent in this book explaining the idea of how Christ is going to redeem both earth and our bodies in his second coming. This might seem like basic facts to some Christians, but for some like myself, I think that this will come as a bit of a wake up call. Without much thought or acknowledgement I’ve always considered that in the life to come we who are saved will all be magically apparated away from this earth to a more spirit-like/unphysical realm that we can spend eternity with our Savior. This book helped show me that this dualism that separates physical and spiritual can lead to some really problematic behaviors and beliefs that go against the historical teachings of the church. Most notably Philips shows that this Gnosticism can lead to us being bad stewards of earth and more importantly to deny the seriousness of sin and treat it as a passing temporary phenomenon without lasting impact. I also really loved the chapter that talked about marriage and celibacy. Marriage being a form of martyrdom is a really strong thought provoking idea that I think all of us married people should spend time prayerfully thinking on. It’s clear that Phillips’ intended audience leans more towards Protestant believers. Like myself, these Christians are the ones who most need to hear this message. However, this does lead to a couple chapters that seem to dance around Orthodox beliefs and practices perhaps in an attempt to not scare off those outside. This is most strongly felt when Phillips talks about the bodily resurrection to come and then dances clumsily around the dangers of cremation. It’s a small nitpick in an otherwise great book, but it feels like Phillips is at times trying to temper or soften some Orthodox beliefs to try and reach a wider audience which, in all fairness as stated above, Protestants need this book much more than the Orthodox. Philips expertly pulls supporting examples from a wide variety of sources from Wright to Lewis to Irenaeus. Overall I found this book really challenging and thought provoking and with its many quotes and pointers to external sources it was a great jumping off point towards me challenging my own gnostic beliefs.

This book increased my understanding of the Gospels immensely

l have been looking for a book for the "tween" children of adults who are enrolled as catechumens. This book perfectly fills the bill. Fr. Shanbour introduces Orthodox theological concepts, practices and phronema clearly in an engaging tone. I'll be urging parents to read it along with their children as a preview or recap of most topics treated in adult catechesis. The illustrations are appealing and add to the text. Christ is presented as the Good Samaritan who has pity on our wounds and leads us to the inn of the Church, so as a bonus, the reader will be introduced to patristic Biblical exegesis.

Through an overview of both historical theological trends and modern religious talking points, Phillips lays out an excellent case for a more "creation-informed" Christian life. I appreciated the personal anecdotes regarding his adoption of the historic Christian faith, as well as popular cases in which modern Christianity has failed to address the present and eschatological reality of a renewed creation. In addition to the text itself, I appreciated the inclusion of discussion questions as endnotes for each chapter. Although I did not read this book with a group, the questions posed helped me better conceptualize and consider potential objections from society at large. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for encouragement in embracing the beauty of the created world.

I was recently able to listen to listen to the audiobook version of “Healing Works” by Fr Joshua Makoul, which I’d been eagerly looking forward to sinking my teeth into. This book follows on the groundwork laid in his first book, “Healing Your Wounded Soul,” offering more in-depth descriptions of practical ways to heal from trauma and painful experiences in one’s life. As a trauma survivor who works with other women in my parish community who are healing from painful experiences, this book turned out to be an empowering and eye-opening read! While the first book dealt with concepts of how to heal on a general level, in this book Fr Joshua delves more deeply into specific healing modalities for trauma, including aspects of cognitive-behavioral therapy which can be helpful, rather than damaging, to trauma survivors. In addition, he discusses less well-known healing techniques such as EMDR and reframing unhelpful thoughts. I particularly loved how Fr Joshua described how EMDR has a paschal quality in allowing us to put away past pain and move forward with a new beginning. Fr Joshua doesn’t just talk about healing modalities, he also broaches important topics such as attachment wounds, people-pleasing, and projection. Most importantly, his discussion integrates these concepts into the spiritual tradition of the Orthodox Christian Church. His discussion of the importance of insight in healing and the importance of change and letting go fit directly into Orthodox Christian concepts of repentance and spiritual healing. This book both contains extremely helpful guidance on useful techniques to heal and offers encouragement to endure in the struggle of healing from traumatic experiences in our lives – emotional, physical, and spiritual. I loved it so much that I bought a print copy to give to my priest in the hope he will use it when counseling people who are seeking healing in the Church. The audiobook version is read in a calm and understandable manner, and I frequently felt like I was sitting with Fr Joshua and discussing the important topic of healing. His reading made the material accessible and offered a wide variety of skills to enable the reader to set aside fear and pain to move forward on their own healing journey. This book is an important resource for those of us healing from past experiences which have caused pain and trauma, particularly within the Orthodox Christian tradition – it is truly a roadmap for giving humanity a second chance!

Excellent book about the mystery of giving, trusting God (even when His promises seem long in the fulfilling), and the love of brotherhood. One doesn’t notice it until the end, but this story basically masterfully welds together the classic Christmas tale “Gift of the Magi (The Comb and the Watch-chain)”, with the Biblical parables of the Prodigal Son, and of the Two Brothers. Not only this, but it weaves it through in a delightful little tapestry of modern American life and the struggles for siblings to dwell together with good favor toward each other. Plenty of great laughs at the childlike antics and funny predicaments the children get into. Quite a few years at the end in the godly kindness the whole family experiences. The audiobook Westin is read by a young child which makes the story come alive with even more poignancy. Highly recommended!