The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks

by Benedicta Ward

Book Overview

The Desert Fathers were the first Christian monks, living in solitude in the deserts of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. In contrast to the formalized and official theology of the "founding fathers" of the Church, they were ordinary Christians who chose to renounce the world and live lives of celibacy, fasting, vigil, prayer, and poverty in direct and simple response to the gospel. First recorded in the fourth century, their Sayings--consisting of spiritual...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140447318
• ISBN13: 9780140447316
• Release Date: July 2003
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Best Book to read if you are interesting in learning more about your faith

This is the best book I have ever read, excluding the bible. It is so helpful and gives you the greatest advice. When reading about what the desert fathers have to say, you get so intuned with it and makes you to try to live a good life. It has helped me fight temptation. I will recommend this book to anyone who wants to change their old lifestyle and live a better one that makes you closer to God.

Accessible, Succint, Sublime

If you enjoy religious mysticism but don't feel a great need to sweat in order to understand it, if you are looking for a piece of beauty and simplicity in this world, if you wnat to know in a straightforward manner, how to rise above: this is the book for you. Accessible, succint, sublime.

Delving into the Sources

Ward has produced a clear, highly readable translation that makes the thoughts and sayings of the Fathers and Mothers of the Desert (first few centuries of our era) available to a readership with no background in classical languages. Her work enables us to draw on the simplicity and depth of early Christians, providing a refreshing perspective on spirituality and religion.

excellent spiritual reading

Having read this book when it was first published, I find I continue to return to it over and over again for my own prayer and reading and as a book I suggest to others. The simple stories and sayings have a wonderful depth and we can see these ancients committed to simplicity, prayer, and a life of being non-judgmental, hospitable and loving. Excellent.