When planning and dreaming about our future, we can learn lessons from those who lived before us. This is the crux of the new book by John Michael Talbot titled “The Ancient Path – Old Lessons from the Church Fathers from a New Life Today.”
This book describes Talbot’s journey in establishing the monastic community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity. He writes about his life and how the early church fathers taught him how to live.
What I liked about the book: I love seeing how the author dug deeply into our church history to find and then apply lessons to his life from those early wise leaders. As I read the book I recognized some names, discovered new ones and always learned more about the early church. Talbot’s determined drive to explore intensely and intentionally the wisdom from the past for patterns to live in our world today inspired me – why can’t we apply their insight to our lives too?
Quote I liked:
“There is a theme that runs through the writings of the Fathers…The theme is simple: Prefer nothing to Christ.”
Blogging for Books sent me this book in exchange for a review but I am not required to give a positive review, just an honest one. So I am going to be honest and add a few precautions.
I was disappointed that Talbot only wrote about male early Christians. Yes they were the Spiritual Fathers and yes that was a male dominated society and the female influence is hard to find and often was buried. But certainly there were role models and lessons for living in community from both genders.
In his defense, Talbot’s last chapter is about Mary and that is my other precaution. Talbot is a devout Roman Catholic, writes from that point of view and that is his audience for this book. While I enjoy reading the perceptions from many faith points of view and I believe we all basically desire the same thing on our Christian walks and love the same God, his terminology is definitely Catholic.
We gather much wisdom when reading about other’s journey, their lessons and what fed them spiritually. The Ancient Path will enrich your walk and add to your growth. Often I evaluate books whether to keep them on my shelf (Is this book shelf-worthy?), pass them onto someone who I know will enjoy and learn from its words (Hey, I thought of you when I read this book and wanted to share it with you.) or put it in my donation box. (Someone will pick this up and grow from its words) The Ancient Path will be pass onto some of my friends.
Thursday I plan to share some interesting reading to feed your spirit and your heart that I discovered at the Spiritual Director International conference I attended last month and feel are shelf-worthy.
So think about what you are reading. Lets share book ideas with one another.What books have you read lately that is shelf-worthy?
Hi Jean! Sounds like an interesting book. I love reading the desert Fathers, but your point about where are the ladies is a good one.
I am currently reading about gifts and purpose, including the Purpose Driven Life. It’s a ‘reread’ for me, and I think I wasn’t so ‘wowed’ by it this time. There are a lot of books on that subject nowadays, so maybe that’s why.
Welcome back!!!!!
Ceil
When I got the book I too thought it would be more about the desert fathers. The desert fathers and mothers are one of my studies for 2015. But it was more about individual men of the first 3-4 centuries and their writings and to be honest was more about the authors journey than about those men. I have read Purpose Driven Life for a number of years but still have it. Yes it is shelf worthy still.
I like how you evaluate books. I often use that method too. 🙂 Thanks for sharing about this book. Sounds like there were some good things in it, but I appreciate hearing what didn’t appeal to you too. The latest book I’m reading of interest is: “The Soul of a Pilgrim: Eight Practices for the Journey Within.” I’ve barely begun so I can’t recommend yes or no on it yet. (But so far, if you twisted my arm, I’d guess it’s going to be a yes.)
I just have so many books and no more space a book has to be really worthy to be added to the shelf. I am reading The Soul of a Pilgrim now too. We will need to compare notes.
I’m with Martha, below. Love history, but will probably choose other resources than this one, thanks to your review, Jean. My latest shelf-worthy book: Every Day Light by Selwyn Hughes, a collection of wonderful devotionals. Quote-caliber material on almost every page. Dr. Hughes makes me think, and makes me want to grow deeper in my relationship with Jesus, inch by inch.
I am not familiar with her writing and will check it out. sounds wonderful. I wanted to be honest here with my review. didn’t want to mislead people. It was an interesting read worth borrowing, not buying. Sorry I didn’t response to your other comments as we were on our Disney trip which was wonderful. just now getting back on track. why does it takes days to recover from vacation? LOL
Glad you gave this a fair and balanced review, Jean. I love learning about religious history, but would probably fair better if I don’t spend time with this one. Blessings!
I wanted to be honest about the book. don’t want to recommend something here falsely. It was an interesting read though but disappointing. Borrow it, don’t buy it. I am sorry I never responded to your comments last week – we were on the trip to Florida. Home and catching up now. Thanks for always being to faithful in commenting. Would love to meet you in person someday!
Don’t worry about not responding, Jean. I do understand completely! It would be great to meet in person one day. 🙂 Blessings!