The Luminous Eye: The Spiritual World Vision of Saint Ephrem the Syrian (Volume 124) (Cistercian Studies Series)

The Luminous Eye is one of the best studies on Saint Ephrem the Syrian symbolic thought. Simple and clear,telling the truth about St. Ephrem, written to reach easy to reader's both intellect and heart,is Professor Brock's masterpiece.

For the poet theologian. St. Ephrem is an underappreciated genius of the ancient Christian Tradition.

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This book provides an accessible entryway into the fascinating and sometimes mystifying world of early Christian theology, symbolism and poetry. No author could be better qualified to write it than Sebastian Brock, one of the greatest living scholars of the Syriac language and literature. The book concentrates on the works of the greatest theologian-poet of the Syriac language, Ephrem of Nisibis (ca. 306-373 CE).Ephrem is well known for his fluid and dynamic use of a wide range of symbols and metaphors as he expounded his faith. Most of his poems were written for the common people of his time, specifically, for use during church services. Thus, they were not designed to be esoteric, but rather artful and memorable. However, his view of the spiritual universe was so different from any modern western view that we moderns can easily get lost without a guidebook such as this one.Brock helps us understand Ephrem's use of paradox, symbols and the way Ephrem deliberately moves around the periphery of certain concepts while avoiding careful definition of them. Ephrem's symbols come from ancient Mesopotamian literature, from Jewish traditions and from Scripture itself. A chapter each is devoted to the key images of the "robe of glory," the "medicine of life" and the "bridal chamber of the heart." Many other symbols and concepts are dealt with, including: the hidden and the revealed, the one and the many, historical and sacred time, free will, the divinity as fire, the pearl and the lance.After surveying Ephrem's symbolic world, Brock discusses several other important issues. In chapter 8, he explains the kind of proto-monastic movement of which Ephrem was a part (sons/daughters of the covenant). In chapter 9, he discusses Ephrem's relation to contemporary Church Fathers who wrote in Greek (while Semitic and Hellenistic were poles on a continuum, they were not a sharply distinguished dichotomy). Finally, in chapter 10, he discusses how Ephrem and his writings are relevant today (you might be surprised to see that a 4th century Christian churchman felt that women had an important role to play in the liturgy of the Church).If after reading this little volume you want to read a whole cycle of Ephrem's poems, I highly recommend  St. Ephrem the Syrian: Hymns On Paradise , introduced and translated by Sebastian Brock. If you are ready for a more thorough introduction to Syriac Christianity,  Symbols Of Church And Kingdom: A Study In Early Syriac Tradition , by Robert Murray, is essential reading.(Review completely rewritten, and greatly expanded, June 20, 2009)

I've read this book twice, and have had the pleasure of introducing a number of people to the wonderful hymns of St. Ephrem. Here is an introduction to much more than the writings of an obscure ancient poet; the book is a primer in ancient Christian spirituality (perhaps just occasionally with some anachronistically modern "spirituality"; for that, maybe the book should get 4 1/2 stars). Great themes: paradox, e.g. God hidden and revealed in the Incarnation; the "two witnesses" of Scripture and nature; spirituality, sacrament, and symbolism; patterns of complementarity and contrast in the sacred scriptures; role of the intellect in the life of faith; theosis and exchange, etc. If you admire the writings of Dante, George MacDonald, Charles Williams or C. S. Lewis, you will find a true forbear of theirs here. British composer Sir John Tavener has drawn on Ephrem for texts of at least three of his compositions, including the superlative "Thunder Entered Her" of 1990. I included some of Ephrem's verse in a course and after that, students were coming by my office to tell about how moved by or interested in Ephrem, etc. they found themselves to be. I also recommend Brock's book of translations, HYMNS ON PARADISE. Buy both, and read them. They help Christians to contemplate the Mysteries.

Most interesting and informative

A book of deep and great insights by the foremost scholar of Syriac Literature, Sebastian Brock. This is a book that brings to light the profound insights and Spiritual tradition of Syriac Christianity that comes to us from the pen of St. Ephrem the Syrian. However, this book goes much farther than this and could even potentially be used a catechetical tool because of the masterful arrangement of Brock. Should be read by anyone interested in Syriac Christianity but also any Christian. Syriac, being a sister of Aramaic (the language of the Lord), provides reflections on the Scriptures which are profound and Brock points out that despite all the talk of the 'hellenizing' of the Greek fathers, Syriac and Greek Christianity both bequeath the same import of the faith. HIGHLY recommended!!

Ein Buch für alle, die wissen wollen, wieso ein Blick in die diversen Traditionen des Christentums dem Glauben-Wollen und Glauben-Können neue Kraft verleihen kann. So beispielsweise, wenn neben die Deutung der Eucharistie als 'Opfer' eine pfingstliche Deutung tritt:und sein pfingstliches Verständnis der Eucharistie:See, Fire and Spirit in the womb that bore you! See, Fire and Spirit in the river where you were baptized!Fire and Spirit in our Baptism; In the Bread and the Cup, Fire and Holy Spirit!

Probably one of the best introductions out there on the theology of Saint Ephraim. Sebastian Brock is a true syriac expert.