I am reading this with my teenage boys so we can all grasp a better understanding of the Bible. We have all already learned so much. I can't wait to read another book by Fr. Farley.

“Face to Face: Knowing God Beyond Our Shame” by Fr. Stephen Freeman is the type of book that I both wish I had earlier in my life, and it somehow came at just the right time. I love how Fr. Freeman was able to use psychological concepts and Orthodox teachings to tackle a topic that is relevant to every person's life. Shame is difficult to understand as potentially helpful because the emotions associated with it are typically considered negative. It is also hard to understand just how much of life is influenced by shame. To combat this, Fr. Freeman presents the concept of “healthy shame” vs. “toxic shame” that he came across in his research and frames it in an Orthodox light using scripture, personal stories, and quotes from church fathers. He does this in such an approachable way that I never felt oppressed by what can be a heavy subject.

“Face to Face” is definitely a book that I will need to reread to fully understand and incorporate into my life. It is not a difficult read, but it is full of truth and insight that takes some time to fully absorb. I would highly recommend this book to any Orthodox Christian or person looking to better understand the Orthodox way of thinking about shame. The lives of saints and monastics do not feel as intimidating because of the insight I received from this book. I sincerely believe that it has benefitted my life and look forward to recommending it to others.

Beautiful book on the concept of sacrifice. It will help weave and connect the Lord's economy with His people in the OT to our Lord's Passion. Highly recommended.

This accessible yet deep guide to preparing for confession is a wonderful introduction for children about the make their first confession. As a Church School teacher, I led a preparation class thisLent on the themes: Image and Likeness; Missing the Mark; Passions and Commandments; Self-Examination; and Experience of Confession. Each student was given this book to share at home with their parents before their confession at the end of the program. Children and parents alike found the book to be a beautiful aid to their understanding and readiness. Glory to God!

Well researched and written in a very approachable style.

Stephen Freeman's Face to Face Knowing God Beyond our Shame is a wise book that counteracts our culture tendency to shun shame. Freeman says, "Shame is often treated as a problem or an affliction, and those suffering from shame are described as victims. This treatment, while well intended, tends to obscure the place of normative, healthy shame in the human life." Freeman looks at healthy shame from many angles such as Adam and Eve's original sense of being naked and ashamed, the shame of conversion, the shame of male and female, the shame of gratitude. This is not a dark book but leads us into the light of right relationship with our shame and how it can lead us to intimacy with God, ourselves and others. Freeman's personal stories serve to illustrate his points. I may well reread this again to glean even more wisdom from its pages. This book will help you make peace with this vital emotion. I highly recommend it.

I really appreciate the way Father Freeman writes. Here he explains one emotion and yet, in my opinion, explains how all emotions come from God and therefore have both a positive and a negative side. Shame has followed me seemingly forever, but I now see what good can come from it. I am so grateful for this perspective. It has given me the hope I knew was somewhere to be found in God. Thank you Father Freeman for sharing so well what you know.

I love them and all the products I have gotten from you.

I love the story, the artwork @ everything about this tender miracle! Thanks for publishing it!!❤️

I love the story, the artwork @ everything about this tender miracle! Thanks for publishing it!!❤️

Excellent read.
I purchased Fr. Freeman's first book and enjoyed it tremendously; and this one surpasses His initial labor if that is possible.
Thank You !!

Well made

Absolutely loved this book! It is concise yet insightful. I originally purchased the ebook version but later bought a print copy to share with family and friends.

We gave these to our Sunday School kids. There is a nice variety of drawing styles, and activities as well.

My grandchildren have read these over and over again!

Excellent and thought provoking as Fr. Stephen’s writings always are.

A must read as an excellent work that exposes shame and its effects on us. It is an easy read but profound in wisdom. Father Stephen did an excellent job in presenting this material.

Though I am generally not inclined toward paraphrased, abridged, and contemporized editions of classic works, this text is a marvelous exception to that rule. John Climacus's Ladder of Divine Ascent, on which this book is based, presents the modern reader with historical, contextual, theological, and practical challenges to the extent that its wisdom is lost on all but the most patient of readers. This book upholds the challenging qualities of the original text, making it accessible without dumbing it down. A treasure trove of wisdom for any who desire to grow in the virtues.

This little book was packed with thought-provoking gems to help me dive deeper into my journey thru Great Lent (or "pilgrimage to Pascha"). Would recommend for anyone.

The author was recently my church’s Lentin retreat speaker, excellent!