The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) faced various iterations of modernization throughout its history. This conflicted encounter continues in the ROC's current resistance against-what it perceives as-Western modernity including liberal and secular values. This study examines the historical development of the ROC's arguments against-and sometimes preferences for-modernization and analyses which positions ended up influencing the official doctrine. The book's systematic analysis of dogmatic treatises shows the ROC's considerable ability of constructive engagement with various aspects of the modern world. Balancing between theological traditions of unity and plurality, the ROC's today context of operating within an authoritarian state appears to tip the scale in favour of unity.

"Regina Elsner is the first to present a study that elaborates on the theological foundations for the anti-modern positioning of the Russian Orthodox Church and uses it as a yardstick for assessing this attitude. The book provides an excellent overview of the intellectual historical currents that have played a role in Russian Orthodoxy and still play today, as well as of the basic characteristics of Orthodox theology. The book is highly recommended to those interested in a better understanding of the Russian Orthodox Church."-Dr. Dagmar Heller, Institute for Ecumenical Studies and Research, Bensheim, Germany
With her choice of the unity vs. diversity discourse, Elsner has clearly identified a relevant meta-theme of the Russian theological tradition and spells out its significance throughout history and in current debates with competence and in an inspiring way. Elsners book forms a valuable contribution to a better understanding of the conflicts emerging from modernity and of some probably inappropriate solutions as well as the motives behind them. The book deserves wide reception.Dr. Alfons Brüning, Professor of Eastern Christianity, Universities of Nijmegen and Amsterdam