Review for: Striving for Knowledge of God
Mark Lindsell
Full of spiritual gold
Nothing penned by St Sophrony disappoints. Although not intended to be published as a book, these letters of counsel to a newly converted Orthodox monk who later abandoned his calling (but eventually returned to the Church) are brim full of gold standard spiritual treasure. I find much that David Balfour wrestled with also reflects my personal struggle. He was a Catholic turning to Orthodoxy, I am a Protestant. He also struggled with faith and doubt, as do I. He had close family members who question his interest in Orthodoxy, as do I. Additionally, Fr Sophrony at times exposes his own weaknesses and struggles: "pray to the Lord to visit my soul once again ..... I am in indescribable anguish, not having beheld the Lord for a long time." (page 153). The depth of grace and love is astonishing for a (young) monk in his 30s. There is also much to learn from the advice given via St Silouan who was with St Sophrony during these years of correspondence. One clearly sees the elder's teaching flow through St Sophrony's writing: "There is no tribulation harder to bear than the tribulation of the soul when she loses grace." An interesting short biography of David Balfour is included at the beginning of the book which sets the letters in a useful context. A man who hoped, struggled, fell, repented (after many years) and showed many of us that we are not alone in this experience of "Striving for Knowledge of God." I identify very much with those struggles. Unfortunately I don't have such a godly elder to guide me, but now I have this book I can benefit from his wise, anointed counsel. I conclude with a quote which I find particularly encouraging: "Nowhere else does our soul recognise God as our Father so clearly as in repentance. God receives like a prodigal son the one who repents, and rejoices over him, because he was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found (Luke 15:32)." (Page 159). May you be encouraged and blessed in reading this book, even as my own soul has been so encouraged.
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