Rating: 
Summary: Some truth, some bias
Review: As an Orthodox Christian, i have to say i am sympathetic to Fr. Seraphim Rose. His work here certainly elucidates the over-emphasis by many today of embracing any kind of spirituality as valid. However, the reader should be warned that this book is not complete in its references (quite a bit is personal interpretation). Further, i don't think Christianity is limited only to some Eastern Orthodox (as Fr. Seraphim Rose would like us to believe).
That said, this is invaluable in showing perhaps some sources of the trends of modern thinking. i have no doubt that much of this book is pointing out some very valid truths, and Christians should turn to their Orthodox roots rather than embracing every sensationalist movement that comes down the pipe. In that sense, this book is very helpful, but it should be read with a slightly broader lens than Fr. Seraphim Rose would like us to.
It is always good to read popular books so you know what they say.
Rating: 
Summary: Heart and Soul opener
Review: Being a Russian Orthodox it makes perfect sense on the things that Fr. Seraphim Rose is talking about in this book. It is mind boggling and an eye opener to know how many false religions are out there in our world today. This book makes more sense today than it did back in the printing days.
A terrific Soul pleaser.
Rating:
Summary: antidote to Roman errors
Review: Fr. Seraphim Rose was an American convert to Orthodoxy. He was educated at Pomona College and undertook graduate work in Eastern Civilizations at Berkeley. He had an excellent working knowledge of East Asian culture, religions, and languages. As a convert, he learned both Russian and Church Slavonic, translating many texts into English. Fr. Seraphim's knowledge of Orthodoxy and the history and theology of the church was extensive. These factors enabled him to see the dangers of various 'spiritual' phenomena prevalent in today's world. His analysis of the charismatic movement is based on the writings of the Church Fathers and the lives of the Saints: no where do we find in the lives of the Saints states of uncontrollable laughter, writhing about on the floor, speaking in unintelligible tongues, or states of trance-like ecstasies. In fact, as Fr. Seraphim points out, phenomena like these have often been associated with cases of demonic possession or delusion rather than 'workings of the Holy Spirit.' But since the Latin heresy of the Filioque and other distortions entered into the West's understanding of the Trinity, distortions have taken root which have prevented a proper understanding of the Trinity and the working of the Holy Spirit: since Rome typically emphasized the Divine Substance rather than the Persons, a legalistic scholasticism arose which subordinated the Persons to the logical determinations of the Substance: the Persons were determined by the nature of the attributes supposedly inherent a priori in the Divine Substance understand according to a philosophical understanding of 'Divine' and 'Perfect.' As a result, Rome created a doctrine of the Trinity that did not reflect the Mystery of the Persons but subjugated Them to philosophical and rationalistic definitions of Latin philosophy rather than the experience of the Church in its worship. This had the effect of ultimately diminishing by making His procession share in the Hypostasis of both the Father and the Son, confusing the consubstantiality of the Holy Spirit and ultimately that of the Son as well. This, coupled with a distorted understanding of original sin and the idea that Grace is created, has resulted in a theology that understands the workings the Holy Spirit in a much more passive and displaced manner than what the ancient Church teaches. Because of these distortions, charismatics believe they can 'call down' or 'invoke' the Holy Spirit -- not unlike occultists -- rather than participating in the Grace of the Triune God due to the sanctification and purification of their own mind and heart. Because Latin heresies have distorted the Church's true Dogma, we in the west are especially vunerable to deceptive and dangerous 'spiritual' phenomena that are anything but Christian. A must read for anyone concerned about the many strange events taking place in today's world.
Rating: 
Summary: fundamentalism at its worst
Review: Fr. Seraphim Rose's _Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future_ is a pretentious, presumptuous and fanatical look at some New Age beliefs, UFOs and Pentecostalism from the perspective of a Monk in the Russian Orthodox Church. Fr. Seraphim's strong point is that he can pick apart how different these are from traditional Christian interpretation. However, he does go overboard in a blanket condemnation of all non-Orthodox faiths, assigning them to demonic origins. _Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future_ is very interesting to read, despite its frustrated, impatient tone. The central argument is that ancient Orthodox Christianity is being overwhelmed by the self-centered, self-gratifying, subjective pagan spirituality that is ascendant worldwide. It is very eclectic and poorly organized, so I'll separate my thoughts by chapter.The Preface: attacks Roman Catholicism, evangelical Protestantism, and the ecumenical movement. "The Monotheistic Religions". Here Fr. Seraphim refutes the commonly repeated postulate that Islam, Judaism and Christianity are of the same theological background, with Jews and Muslims considered the literal descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Ishmael. Orthodox theology is given a quick review to clarify where the person of Christ stands in comparison to Islam and Judaism. Jesus is considered merely a prophet in Islam, as opposed to the Son of God. Judaism's rabbinical texts revile Jesus as the son of a whore and a heretic. Two chapters, "Power of the Pagan Gods" and "The Fakir's 'Miracle'" are not written by Fr. Seraphim, but are accounts of some negative aspects of Eastern meditation and a "miracle" produced by a Hindu fakir, that the account assigns to demonic possession. "Eastern Meditation Invades Christianity". Fr. Seraphim covers yoga, Zen Buddhism, and Transcendental Meditation, and how they have infiltrated mainstream Christianity in America. "New Religious Consciousness". More infiltration of Christianity by Eastern cults, the cult leader Guru Maharaj-ji whose followers worshipped him as an incarnate god, Tantric Yoga and Zen training at Mt. Shasta in N. California. Fr. Seraphim notes that these are similar in that they are this-worldly, passive, influenced by Hinduism, advocate a secular worldview and spiritism. "Signs From Heaven. An Orthodox Christian Understanding of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)": This is by far the most interesting chapter. The popular culture of science fiction media promotes a secular, universal utopian environment. The different types of UFO encounters are briefly described, and Fr. Seraphim comes to the conclusion that UFOs and visitations by "extraterrestrials" are in fact demons who are using an "upbeat" method to deceive the world. "Charismatic Revival". The Pentecostal trend in evangelical, fundamentalist Christianity. Fr. Seraphim compares the stoic, detached, otherworldly spiritual experience of Orthodoxy to the irrational, emotionalism, and anti-historical realm of Charismatic experience. These spiritual states also can be brought about by demonic powers. In case one thinks Fr. Seraphim is being radically arbitrary in making these judgements, he supports his statements with prophecies and teachings from ancient Church Fathers. "Spirit of the Last Times": How the contemporary religious scene is pointing towards the Antichrist. The greatest heresy of all times is identified as "Chiliasm," which is the hope that the world will be perfected through man's effort (witness Communism, humanitarianism who all have grandiose plans but fall short of the mark because of human nature). Fr. Seraphim also identifies the Antichrist as a person who will give all appearances of actually being Jesus Christ, ruling over an earthly "millenium" kingdom from a restored temple in Jerusalem.
Rating:
Summary: A shocking eye-opener
Review: Fr. Seraphim's (+Eternal Memory) book is a slap in the face to contemporary "spiritual" trends. He is unashamed in presenting the truth of the infection of pagan religions in western culture that it is none other than a diabolical scheme to destroy Christianity. Father uncovers the spiritual "prelest" or deception that so many spiritual "seekers" fall into, bringing destruction to their souls while they are naively believing themselves to have authentic spiritual experiences. He goes on to examine Yoga, Zen, Tantra, TM, Hare Krishna, and UFOs, as well as the "Christian" charismatic movement. In the universal religion of the future, the very religion of Satan, only Holy Orthodoxy will stand to fight it. Wake up! Stop dabbling in eastern spirituality, including "Christian" meditation, and find all Truth in Holy Orthodoxy!
Rating:
Summary: Words to heed...
Review: I was discouraged read such scathing, negative reviews about a book that is so profound. I didn't read anything in the book that suggests Fr. Rose was a bigot, narrow-minded, or ultra-fundamentalist. I think he saw these movements for what they were. To read a book that was written in the 70's, and being able to see how these movements either died or grew in subsequent years gives testimony to the fact that the author understood what these movements were, how they were going to grow, and what the consequences will be. He understood because he was involved with it himself before becoming Orthodox. I understood because I was involved with these movements before becoming Orthodox. Orthodox Christianity is unique because of stoicism and care not to get caught up in emotion. I was taught that God honors the skeptic. Anyone who desires to not be fooled should not be caught up in 'the moment.' But should take a step back before taking the step forward. Those who don't see in the Chruch what others do aren't obligated to be anything other than who they are and do what they want.
That's my two cents.
Rating:
Summary: Why I'm No Longer A Christian
Review: I was surprised as can be when the title of this volume popped up on my list of Recommended Items. I had thought the thing was long out of print, and long out of public circulation and the public mind. My own copy is the 1983 edition, published when the monastery in Platina, CA was still a going concern (of sorts). It came as quite an eyebrow-raiser to discover that the title had been resurrected. Or dug up, whichever.
I personally knew Fr. Seraphim -- and Fr. Herman (Gleb Podmoshensky - do a Google search for more information on this individual) and a fair portion of the Platina crowd of ultra-Orthodox "strugglers for God." I even was present -- by sheer accident -- at Fr. Seraphim's funeral.
In my opinion, "Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future" encapsulates the frightened and narrow views of a hyper-rigid, hyper-literalist, hyper-self-centred and hyper-fanatical subset of Orthodox Christianity. It also reflects parallel views of similar groups in other branches of Christianity which may differ in particulars but not in fundamentals. Such books as this and, more importantly, the individuals who write them or devour their contents with the fervour of parched and starving castaways abandoned on sandy atolls of their own fevered imaginations helped me to unburden myself of the worst delusions of Orthodox Christianity in particular and of Christianity in general. For providing me with such an unintended escape route from madness, I am grateful to them all.
Read this book if you are curious to see a mind and soul devoured by its own raving fantasies, where demons are alive and everywhere. This rambling, pseudo-mystical Eastern Orthodox version of "The Late Great Planet Earth" and its ilk can't help but cry out a warning. But its message may be quite different that that intended by its author and his own cult-like mindset.
Rating:
Summary: This is Prejudice Not Spirituality.
Review: In this short book, Fr. Rose ferrets out what is most beautiful and noble about the Christian religion and replaces it with old prejudices. I have no doubt that Satan is working towards the reign of Antichrist in the modern world, by denying man his spiritual birthright. I also have no doubt that freemasonic influences in the hierarchy of the Catholic church are playing a role in initiating a New World Order under the sway of a one world religion. However, I have a serious problem with Fr. Rose's bigotry towards non-Christian religions, in particular Hinduism and Zen Buddhism, but also such benign things as science fiction novels and Eastern meditation. These bigotted comments are really beneath contempt. God's grace, mercy, and love are truly infinite. As such they extend EVEN to our Hindu and Muslim brothers and sisters. I complete disagree with Fr. Rose's narrowly ultra-fundamentalistic worldview which denies anything issuing forth from the Spirit. This man suffers from a profound inability to face the fact that the greatest man who ever lived was brutally tortured and murdered by the Romans. Rather than celebrating in remembrance of Him and eagerly awaiting His Second Coming, Fr. Rose embraces desolation and despair. I believe this book reflects a fundamentally unbalanced mind and is not a good influence for the spiritual seeker or believing Christian.
Rating: 
Summary: Ultra Orthodoxy
Review: The New Age movement in America and the popular religion of people and their spiritual philosophical self-enlightened awakenings are demonic. Plain and simple. As an ex-New Age Philosopher myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the book exposing it for exactly what it is... unoriginal, unfulfilling, unenlightened and unholy.
The new ageism we entertain here in America is largely based on Hinduism or Buddhism (which was, once upon a time, a Hindu spin-off). Exposes the UFO movement for what it is and why we, both as a society and as a world on the whole, psychologically pre-disposed to the UFO phenomenon.
Hopefully, this will, for the God fearing Christian, inform and prepare you for encountering these things in the society you live. As for the Pagan and the New Ager, this will hopefully demonstrate how all philosophies/religions are NOT THE SAME, but rather some (such as Orthodox Christianity and Hinduism, Buddhism, and Satanism) are incompatible on the most fundamental level.
Rating:
Summary: excellent book on the spiritual chaos going around
Review: The teachings of Father Seraphim Rose are always undoubtfully based on patristic teaching and literature. In this book he is showing that only Eastern Orthodoxy has the true answers for all the spiritual chaos going on all around the world. How right he is ! In his book he is discussing the assaults of all the far eastern religions on Christianity. He writes about the influences of eastern meditation, yoga and zen on the western mind. He explains how all these religions and techniques are incapable of solving man's problems and his need for salvation, because they are satanic.
This is one of the best books ever written discussing new age spirituality from an orthodox christian point of view. In this book he shows that not all the ways lead to God, and that salvation can only be attained in the Orthodox faith.
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