I normally don’t think about this sort of thing in great detail, but since I’m presently spending time with a catechumen on a regular basis, I’m developing a “mental list” of the top 10 or so books one should recommend to an inquirer of the Orthodox Faith. This book is one of those 10, and it might even be in the top five.

Fr Andrew Stephen (Damick) is the protos of an Orthodox parish in Emmaus, PA and has a series of podcasts (available here) on various Orthodox topics – most of which are particularly helpful for those outside of the Orthodox Church or relatively new to it. His book Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy (available here and here) is an expansion and codification of one of those podcast series by the same name.

I’ve listened through this podcast series on more than one occasion and found it to be very helpful, personally, and I’m happy to report that the book is just as – if not more – helpful.

With some expanded discussion in certain areas and even some new content or topics altogether, this book is an easy way to digest everything Fr Andrew has discussed in the podcast series but without having to download/burn or do whatever it is people do to listen to a podcast series of such length. It brings the information to you in a more easily accessible format, in my opinion, and this is rather helpful for a lot of people, I’m sure … But maybe it’s just me?

The basic approach and format of the book is to present the Orthodox viewpoint on essentially every major religious movement or organization in the world, including heterodox (non-Orthodox) Christian groups – such as the various, endless sects of Protestantism. In addition to this, Fr Andrew even discusses some of the more obscure religions of the world – many of which the reader has likely never heard of.

While this is not necessarily a book that teaches – in a positive way – what the Orthodox Church believes on every possible point of doctrine (good luck finding that, by the way!), it still manages to help the reader understand how the Orthodox view a wide variety of subjects, philosophies and otherwise religious viewpoints. Even considering the current media coverage of Mormonism (due to a political candidate’s association with that group), this book is a “quick-reference guide” to know the Orthodox viewpoint on such a religion, without having to wade through the nonsense of popular media and other non-Orthodox viewpoints on the topic.

The reader is provided with a helpful “summary” of primary Orthodox beliefs (as related to the Trinity and the Person of Christ, of course) as well as a list of all major heresies (which are, of course, Christological or Trinitarian in nature). I find this particularly helpful from the standpoint of being equipped to have discussions with others outside of the Orthodox Tradition without being led astray by false doctrines or ideas that have been condemned as heresy centuries ago.

Again, reviewing this book from the perspective of an inquirer or an Orthodox catechumen, having this “lens” with which to view the world around us is invaluable.

As a whole, this book is a perfect starting place for anyone interested in the ancient Christian faith and for learning what the Church has always held to be true (or rather, false). It is one of those books that helps one to “un-learn” their previous way of thinking and be adapted in their mind to the Orthodox way of thinking – or the “mind of the Church” as many Fathers have put it. There is also a helpful list of “further reading” references in one of the book’s appendices, as related to particular topics (e.g. Orthodox-Roman Catholic relations, Protestant-Orthodox relations, etc.).

As an Orthodox Christian, I believe that Fr Andrew is one of the “safest” living teachers to recommend when it comes to learning about the ancient faith (in my experience, at least), and so I will wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more (or even simply deepening their understanding of Orthodoxy from within).

This is one of those “top 10 books” I’d be giving to someone travelling on their journey of faith, and I would encourage you to put it on your reading list as well.