This week we take a break from our time with John Cassian and Abba Isaac on prayer. We’ll be back with them next week.
Today I want to inform Renovaré readers that the Renovaré Book Club is featuring my new book, Living Wisely with the Church Fathers (IVP Academic, 2017), as the last book club selection for this year.
Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times
The first centuries of Christianity are like a far country for many of us. Despite their initial strangeness, though, the wisdom produced in these early centuries for living life well with God can help modern Christians in many ways.
Early Christians struggled and flourished in a culture that was in love with empire and military power, infatuated with sex and entertainment, tolerant of all gods but hostile to the One. From this crucible of discipleship, these early Christian leaders — known to us as the church fathers — extracted lessons of virtue, faithfulness, and joy in Christ.
In my new book we head back to these ancient times. I interview, so to speak, Christian leaders from around the ancient world, inquiring how to live a good life as a Christ follower. The menu of topics I cover with these ancient friends wends its way through wealth and poverty, war and violence, marriage and sexuality, theater and the arena, as well as the harsh realities of persecution and martyrdom.
Ancient Christians such as Basil, Chrysostom, or Augustine grappled with ethical issues surprisingly resonant with our own. They both surprise and challenge us as we seek to live life well with the God made known to us in Jesus.
It’s still possible to sign up for the Renovaré Book Club for this last selection. I’ll be interacting with readers through the seven weeks we spend together reading the text. We’d love for you to join us.
