An Introduction to the Desert Fathers (Cascade Companions)
Overview
The desert fathers wanted to get away from a church co-opted by empire and a Christian faith grown cold and listless. They retreated to the desert to do battle against demons and against their own worst desires. They had no intention of being famous; yet ironically their Sayings have inspired millions of imitators over the centuries. This guide is meant to accompany a reading of the Sayings of the Desert Fathers, in hopes that readers with lives quite different than those third- and fourth-century dwellers of the Egyptian desert might nevertheless come to imitate their lives of poverty, chastity, and obedience; and more importantly, that readers might grow more imaginative and passionate in their following of the same Lord.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
Save more when you purchase this book as part of the Cascade Companions Series (15 vols.).
- Analyzes the purpose of St. Augustine’s Confessions
- Studies the desert fathers’ Sayings, their theology, and their lives
- Links all Scripture passages to the Bibles in our library
Jason Byassee’s An Introduction to the Desert Fathers is an excellent companion to all who seek to glean wisdom from the monks’ encounters with the realities of God and of their sin. By drawing together the world of fourth-century monasticism with our consumerist culture of the twenty-first century, Byassee helps us discern the call of the desert today.
—J. Warren Smith, associate professor of historical theology, Duke Divinity School
In this beautiful, informative, probing, and wise introduction to the spirituality of the desert, Byassee both immerses us in, and invites us to embrace, an older, sometimes alien, way of inhabiting our relationship with the triune God.
—Lauren F. Winner, assistant professor of Christian spirituality, Duke Divinity School
. . . What sets this little book apart from others on desert spirituality is Byassee’s ability to help modern readers understand and practice the wisdom the desert monks offer.
—Evangelical Review of Theology
- Title: An Introduction to the Desert Fathers
- Author: Jason Byassee
- Series: Cascade Companions
- Publisher: Cascade
- Print Publication Date: 2007
- Logos Release Date: 2013
- Pages: 130
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Spirituality; Spiritual life › Christianity; Desert Fathers
- ISBNs: 9781597525305, 9781498210379, 1597525308, 1498210376
- Resource ID: LLS:CASCADEINTROFATHERS
- Resource Type: text.monograph.study-guide
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T19:17:21Z
Reviews
1 rating
Glenn Crouch
9/5/2017
This is an excellent little book that not only helps you navigate the Sayings of the Desert Fathers, but serves as a good introduction to ancient monastic life. The Author does a fine job of highlighting both the strengths and the weaknesses of the various topics that the Sayings covers. He uses a well-thought-out level of humour (normally from the Sayings themselves) to help the reader get below the surface of what are often very foreign topics for a 21st Century Christian. Highly recommended for those wanting to study the Desert Fathers - would also be good as a starting point, ie to see what all the fuss is about when it comes to the Desert Fathers :) Nice use of questions at the end of each chapter helps to improve personal study, or promote small group study. Also includes a useful Bibliography for further study. This is a worthy addition to the other Cascade Companions that I have read.