Unseen Warfare

by Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain

Book Overview

This spiritual classic was written by Lorenzo Scupoli, a sixteenth-century Venetian priest. Immensely popular in its own day, it was ranked by Francis de Sales with the Imitation of Christ. In the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0264663047
• ISBN13: 9780264663043
• Release Date: April 1978
• Publisher: Mowbray
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Essential Orthodox reading

While a number of books on Christian spirituality discuss the ascetic means by which reunion with God can be facilitated this is one of the few I have found in English geared toward the layperson (but still relevant for the ascetic). I cannot add a great deal to what other reviewers have said except that I was pleased but not surprised to discover that St Nektarios was said to regularly read Unseen Warfare (see "St Nektarios", a Saint for Our Century). After reading this remarkable Saint's life this is no surprise. The (Orthodox) Church has exalted Nektarios to the level of the Holy Fathers evidently because he battled and defeated his passions while living in the world--an often more difficult feat than doing so in seclusion. To accomplish such instruction Unseen Warfare takes the teachings one would derive from reading the lives of the saints and/or the Philokalia and places them within an almost instruction manual setting. However, it is far more readable and alive that a simple manual. The book speaks to the reader in a fashion that a staretz would speak to his son or daughter. I would disagree with some reviewers who have said it is a good "introduction" to spirituality. If one is looking for dense theological material then indeed, Unseen Warfare, may seem more straightforward. It is also easier to read than say, the "Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian". However, the former such work is not intended for spiritual development and the latter is for the monk (peroperly guided by a spiritual father) who has reached a very advanced spiritual level. Moreover, putting what is said into practice (which theological material almost never concerns itself with) makes it as "deep" as the writings of St Simeon the New Theologian or Abba Dorotheos (from whom many discussions are borrowed). One thing I would suggest is to skip the introduction. It is misleading and often simply incorrect about what is going on in the text. The author (H.A. Hodges) also seems only to refer to Catholic figures as saints while disrespectfully referring to St. Nicodemus and St. Theophan as merely "Nicodemus and Theophan". Moreover, the introduction, while making an attempt to sound deeply theological is rather simple-minded, or I should say, "simple-hearted". Hodges clearly has little idea of what the essence or goal of spiritual struggle is yet he wishes to overlook its nuances in order to make the Roman and Orthodox Churches appear to be "two sides of the same coin". He neglects the fact that grace is simply more perceptible in one church than in the other and that much of this is due to the Orthodox preservation of the essential lessons contained in Unseen Warfare. Such a reductionist approach merely wastes the reader's time and delays the valuable lessons of the text. Finally, and I say this with caution, while I believe everyone needs a spiritual father (a guide who can objectively evaluate your thinking, as the book suggests) the book is an excellent guide

A civil war within

As a Christian pacifist, I'm extremely wary of militaristic language, in either common speech ("bullet points" or "I got bombed last night") or allegedly spiritual discourse ("Onward Christian soldiers, marching off to war..."). So I was initially put off by the title _Unseen Warfare_. But as soon as I began reading the book, it becane clear that the type of warfare discussed was quite different from what we usually take the word to mean. Scupoli (along with Nicodemus & Theophan, his Orthodox editors) argues that Christian perfection lies in aligning one's will with God's, but that this alignment is extremely difficult because an entire army of contrary "wills" resides in us, continuously dragging us away from God. In order to counter these "wills," the Christian must arm herself with "invisible weapons." The "most trustworthy and unconquerable" of them are: (1) never rely on yourself in anything; (2) always bear in your heart a perfect and all-daring trust in God alone; (3) strive without ceasing; and (4) remain constantly in prayer. It's clear that these weapons, rather than seeking to overpower by sheer brute strength, take seriously the strength-through- powerlessness that St. Paul writes about. Unseen warfare is fought not by pitting one's will against a foe, but by surrendering oneself to God; not by trusting in one's own resources, but by acknowledging dependence; not by risking everything on one flashy, dramatic battle, but by persevering, little by little, day by day; and not by drawing up battle plans so much as by ceaseless praying. The language may be militaristic, but the purport of the language actually subverts the violence and self-assertion associated with war. It speaks of self-sacrifice, love, devotion, discipline. _Unseen Warfare_ is a sobering read, because it convicts the reader (or at least it convicted THIS reader) of falling woefully short in the quest for Christian perfection. But it's also an inspiring and ennobling read, because it encourages the reader to greater resolve. Highly recommended.

Great first read

This book will set you on the path to God, if you so desire. It dispells with a lot of the myths and answers the important questions that most folks need answered but don't even know to ask. For example: What is the goal of the spiritual life?

chapters on prayer especially useful

All I would add to the previous reviews is that I found the chapters on prayer - largely the work of St. Theophan rather than Scupoli - to be especially useful. His approach to prayer is the classical approach of the Eastern Church. These chapters alone are worth the price of the book and justify chosing the Orthodox rewrite over the original.

many practical how to's for pursuing spiritual growth

the Roman Catholic version from Tan Books is the more literal translation, and the wording more direct, however, this the Orthodox text is more of an interpretive rewrite containing many insightful embellishments that are certainly worth digesting. The 60 page introduction, though longer than necessary, provides background information that heightens one's appreciation of this 500 year old classic. For Protestants, this is the version I recommend, but if one can't read and think , then bypass this book entirely. To truly appreciate the work, I suggest reading both a chapter at a time simultaneously, which can easily be done in 2 months if used as a daily reader. The chapters are short (1-5 pages) and limited to single topics. Many people preach what others should do, this tells how. Must reading if spiritual growth, to grow in virtue and moral purity in the presence of our Lord, is your desire.