DOC Maximus the Confessor (The Early Church Fathers) by Andrew Louth in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Finally there is something betterBy JacobPrevious reviewers have been quite reactionary against Bart Janssens' very honest and accurate assessment of the translations in this book; which I must endorse. Fr. Louth's introduction is perhaps the finest brief orientation to St Maximus' theology as there is; and his book is still valuable for that; but his translations are simply bad. There are too many mistakes that cloud the meaning of the texts. Fortunately we now have the very excellent translation of the entire Ambigua (selections from which comprise most of what Louth translated for this volume) from Harvard University Press by Fr. Maximos of Simonopetra (search "Nicholas Constas;" his secular name under which the books are published). Read Louth for an introduction to Maximus' rich theology; but go to Constas' volume for the actual texts.55 of 57 people found the following review helpful. A "most valuable" introduction to MaximusBy Vincent RossiI cannot in good conscience bypass one more time that one-starred; rather negative review by the reviewer from Holland of this actually excellent book on St. Maximus the Confessor by Andrew Louth; without attempting to redress what is basically a false impression of a very praise-worthy work. I could not disagree more with his overall opinion of what Louth has done. In fact; Andrew Louth has done a great service in making these texts of St. Maximus--some of his most important and most beautiful spiritual works--available to the English-speaking public. Yes; he is not always consistent in his translation of some of the terms Maximus uses; yes; one might quibble with his interpretation of the Confessor's thought here and there. But anyone who has ever tried his hand at translating even one passage of Maximus' notoriously difficult Greek will appreciate what Louth has actually accomplished and will give credit where credit is assuredly due. One of the greatest Maximus scholars of this century; Lars Thunberg; who has himself written perhaps the single most important monograph of the past fifty years on the Confessor's thought; ; says in his own review (published in an Orthodox journal in England) of Louth's book: "His audacity is to be hailed; for the texts that he has chosen for translation are some of the most difficult: Ambigua 10 and 41...together with the very succinct and demanding Letter 2 on Love...translations of Maximus texts of this complexity...may always be discussed and other renderings be suggested." Despite offering in his review alternative renderings of his own of some difficut passages; Thunberg does not let his scholarly criticism outweigh his assesment of the overall value of the book; and goes on to praise Louth for producing "this beautiful volume; containing both a substantial introduction and remarkable translations...Andrew Louth has certainly given to his readership a most valuable introduction not only to the 'thinking' but also the 'thought' of the Confessor. His challenging observations provide a stimulus and an agenda for us all."The "substantial introduction" is all of that; and is; in my view; simply one of the best introductions to the thinking and theology of St. Maximus in print. It is itself worth the price of the book. In short; I agree with Lars Thunberg; and not with the reviewer from Holland; in recommending this book highly. Anyone who loves Maximus or who wants to understand him better should read this book.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Must-read in theological studiesBy K. ClarkeI am going to have to read this one--along with Daley's translation of Balthasar's Cosmic Liturgy--again after a little while. Louth has delivered in this text; with his valuable introduction; readable translation; and thorough notes. The reader is struck by his familiarity with patristic texts and his erudition; but no less is his humility and love for the Confessor present. St. Maximus' Greek is very difficult to read; thus; Louth has done the English speaking world a major service in bringing us this introduction and translation of some of St. Maximus' most theologically significant pieces.