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Cistercian Studies Series #59
The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks
The Desert Fathers were the first Christian monks, living in solitude in the deserts of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. In contrast to the formalised and official theology of the "founding fathers" of the church, the Desert Fathers 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. Their sayings were first recorded in the 4th century and consist of spiritual advice, anecdotes and parables. The Desert Fathers' teachings and lives have inspired poetry, opera and art, as well as providing spiritual nourishment and a template for monastic life.
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1975
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July 1, 2019
This is one of those books that pulled me in different directions --- from blessing by wisdom to astonishment at the seeming indifference, occasional perversity, or even cruelty of some of its subjects. This book was definitely not quite what I expected. I do not think that the way to approach this work is the way one might approach a self-help book or Bible study from some Christian book stores, but to see it as an overall whole. That may seem fuzzy or inexact, but I do think that to see this book holistically will make it of greater benefit to the reader than to focus excessively on some of the more disturbing things in it. I think that one must read each of these sections on their own, and evaluate from them what principles are most beneficial and applicable to their own spiritual journey in Christ. In other words, we're all different, and God deals with us all in different ways in accordance with how we are, how we think, and are own gifts and weaknesses. I would go so far to say that, in my opinion, this is not a book for non-Christians or for new or immature Christians, but one for those mature in their faith seeking general principles or ideas for which to take that faith to a higher level in growing yet even closer to God.
For one thing, it is not just a compendium of sayings, aphorisms, and proverbs of early Christian saints. It does have these in abundance, but it also is a series of anecdotes about them, or their comments on the sayings or acts of other contemporary prominent church fathers and ascetics in the times in which they lived.
In general, this book is a compilation of wisdom and knowledge gained over centuries by Christian ascetics and monks on their efforts to gain a closer relationship to God. This was seen by them all as a primary mission to all that they did and how they thought; however, even within this book, while in unison on this goal, one can find variances in how they went about it. In general, notwithstanding their own individual differences in how they went about it, it's safe to say that all of them sought the following:
1) Abnegation: The complete denial of all earthly needs, ambitions, and desires, and bringing all such energies into complete subjection to the will of God and the pursuit of an ever growing, closer relationship to Him
2) Asceticism: putting away money and personal possessions, and pursuit of a daily life of prayer, fasting, and meditation.
3) Humility: Presuming all others better than oneself.
4) Avoiding sanctimony and being judgmental --- judging oneself by God's standards before judging others by the standards of one's own life.
5) Prayer: Intense, fervent worship, intercession, and praise to God for extended periods of time.
6) Fasting: the denial of basic bodily appetites such as hunger and comfort --- which seemed, for most of them, to have the added benefit ironically of strengthening them against stronger, more fleshly temptations.
For example, some were hospitable to visitors and those seeking knowledge or spiritual guidance. Others in here were not --- some being so isolated and unapproachable that, for some --- such as St. Arsenius -- I almost wondered, at times, if they were hiding an antisocial personality disorder beneath a cloak of piety. Some willingly gave out there wisdom and spiritual observations, some only reluctantly did so. Some having reached a very high plain in their commune with God received the gifts --- apparently when it served God's needs at a specific point in time --- of being able to perform miracles or see into the future, yet even these did so with reluctance --- so fearing that the attention of the public or the praise of men might build up their own pride and arrogance, thereby, breaking their link with the grace of God.
As I related earlier, there are shocking things in this book. If you are expecting this book to be a hagiography, then get ready to be disappointed. Yet, one shouldn't be --- these Desert Fathers, in their own words, are frank about their own weaknesses and deficiencies. That they relentlessly sought closer fellowship with God is not to say that they were always perfect or saintly every step of the way in this regard. In one story, a man abandons his wife and children to go to the desert and live as a hermit --- presumably leaving them destitute --- only taking in his own son when a great famine hits. In others, some of these fathers seem excessively misogynistic or unwilling to be with children even to give them a blessing ---- as if, having achieved some stable spiritual level, having these enter their hermetically sealed environment could destroy it. In still some more, the fathers or their disciples seem to have been especially troubled by frequent battles with sexual desires --- including some that may have been deviant --- such as homosexual or pedophilic. Astonishing, surprising --- yet it should not be ---- as they were as much products of the societies in which lived as anyone else was back then --- yet, to their credit, to gain the upper hand over them, these men removed themselves from the rest of society, and devoted the rest of their lives to service to God and to the destruction not just of these, but of all the fleshly desires and appetites.
For the standards of these desert fathers did not go by the standards of the Greco-Roman-Egyptian societies in which they lived, but, by one much higher. If the guard rails of their society permitted people to go even as far as such things as gluttony, fornication, and even pederasty, these men separated themselves from that society, and resolved to bring all appetites --- hunger, thirst, entertainment, sexual, rest, comfort -- into complete subjection to God, and this book relates via their sayings and anecdotes about them how they went about this -- as well as the challenges they faced in doing so.
In the modern society of today, it would be highly difficult to do exactly as these men --- and a few women --- did; however, I do think it does provide food for thought. The consumer Christianity of today, often lax, flabby, and sluggish, often trying to conform as much to secular society as possible, while still going through the motions of seeking Christ, can only take one so far. If the goal is something better, something of a more close, deeper relationship to God, the principles of denial of the flesh, of more prayer, of taking more time to spend alone in communion with God, of fasting, related in this work, may provide some with a means of taking their Christian walk to a higher level.
For one thing, it is not just a compendium of sayings, aphorisms, and proverbs of early Christian saints. It does have these in abundance, but it also is a series of anecdotes about them, or their comments on the sayings or acts of other contemporary prominent church fathers and ascetics in the times in which they lived.
In general, this book is a compilation of wisdom and knowledge gained over centuries by Christian ascetics and monks on their efforts to gain a closer relationship to God. This was seen by them all as a primary mission to all that they did and how they thought; however, even within this book, while in unison on this goal, one can find variances in how they went about it. In general, notwithstanding their own individual differences in how they went about it, it's safe to say that all of them sought the following:
1) Abnegation: The complete denial of all earthly needs, ambitions, and desires, and bringing all such energies into complete subjection to the will of God and the pursuit of an ever growing, closer relationship to Him
2) Asceticism: putting away money and personal possessions, and pursuit of a daily life of prayer, fasting, and meditation.
3) Humility: Presuming all others better than oneself.
4) Avoiding sanctimony and being judgmental --- judging oneself by God's standards before judging others by the standards of one's own life.
5) Prayer: Intense, fervent worship, intercession, and praise to God for extended periods of time.
6) Fasting: the denial of basic bodily appetites such as hunger and comfort --- which seemed, for most of them, to have the added benefit ironically of strengthening them against stronger, more fleshly temptations.
For example, some were hospitable to visitors and those seeking knowledge or spiritual guidance. Others in here were not --- some being so isolated and unapproachable that, for some --- such as St. Arsenius -- I almost wondered, at times, if they were hiding an antisocial personality disorder beneath a cloak of piety. Some willingly gave out there wisdom and spiritual observations, some only reluctantly did so. Some having reached a very high plain in their commune with God received the gifts --- apparently when it served God's needs at a specific point in time --- of being able to perform miracles or see into the future, yet even these did so with reluctance --- so fearing that the attention of the public or the praise of men might build up their own pride and arrogance, thereby, breaking their link with the grace of God.
As I related earlier, there are shocking things in this book. If you are expecting this book to be a hagiography, then get ready to be disappointed. Yet, one shouldn't be --- these Desert Fathers, in their own words, are frank about their own weaknesses and deficiencies. That they relentlessly sought closer fellowship with God is not to say that they were always perfect or saintly every step of the way in this regard. In one story, a man abandons his wife and children to go to the desert and live as a hermit --- presumably leaving them destitute --- only taking in his own son when a great famine hits. In others, some of these fathers seem excessively misogynistic or unwilling to be with children even to give them a blessing ---- as if, having achieved some stable spiritual level, having these enter their hermetically sealed environment could destroy it. In still some more, the fathers or their disciples seem to have been especially troubled by frequent battles with sexual desires --- including some that may have been deviant --- such as homosexual or pedophilic. Astonishing, surprising --- yet it should not be ---- as they were as much products of the societies in which lived as anyone else was back then --- yet, to their credit, to gain the upper hand over them, these men removed themselves from the rest of society, and devoted the rest of their lives to service to God and to the destruction not just of these, but of all the fleshly desires and appetites.
For the standards of these desert fathers did not go by the standards of the Greco-Roman-Egyptian societies in which they lived, but, by one much higher. If the guard rails of their society permitted people to go even as far as such things as gluttony, fornication, and even pederasty, these men separated themselves from that society, and resolved to bring all appetites --- hunger, thirst, entertainment, sexual, rest, comfort -- into complete subjection to God, and this book relates via their sayings and anecdotes about them how they went about this -- as well as the challenges they faced in doing so.
In the modern society of today, it would be highly difficult to do exactly as these men --- and a few women --- did; however, I do think it does provide food for thought. The consumer Christianity of today, often lax, flabby, and sluggish, often trying to conform as much to secular society as possible, while still going through the motions of seeking Christ, can only take one so far. If the goal is something better, something of a more close, deeper relationship to God, the principles of denial of the flesh, of more prayer, of taking more time to spend alone in communion with God, of fasting, related in this work, may provide some with a means of taking their Christian walk to a higher level.
November 16, 2017
I don't come from a religious background, and I stumbled upon this book rather by accident; but I found parts of it sagacious and insightful. As a collection of aphorisms from many different authors, it is often repetitive or contradictory. Yet I can't help but think that if contemporary Christians acted—in any small degree—like the desert fathers (and mothers), the world would be changed for the better.
In our present times, there is a baffling overlap between Christianity and capitalism. Maybe all the covetous Catholics and the pleonectic Protestants should take the words of the hermit Syncletica to heart:
This passage is representative of the book as a whole: while not particularly original (I've read something similar in a book of Sufi proverbs), you can't ignore the fact that precepts such as this one formed the basis for an actual way of life. The desert fathers and the desert mothers were real people, isloated from the rest of society, for whom religion was no weekend trip—it was hard, gritty, dirty and socially peripheralized. That's something you don't need to be a Christian to respect.
A brief word on my rating: I would rate the "sagacious and insightful" parts higher, but these comprise only a fraction of the entire work.
In our present times, there is a baffling overlap between Christianity and capitalism. Maybe all the covetous Catholics and the pleonectic Protestants should take the words of the hermit Syncletica to heart:
Merchants toil in search of riches and are in danger of their lives from shipwreck; the more wealth they win, the more they want; and they think what they have already is of no worth but bend their whole mind to what they have not yet got. But we have nothing, not even that which we ought to seek; we do not even want to possess what we need, because we fear God.
This passage is representative of the book as a whole: while not particularly original (I've read something similar in a book of Sufi proverbs), you can't ignore the fact that precepts such as this one formed the basis for an actual way of life. The desert fathers and the desert mothers were real people, isloated from the rest of society, for whom religion was no weekend trip—it was hard, gritty, dirty and socially peripheralized. That's something you don't need to be a Christian to respect.
A brief word on my rating: I would rate the "sagacious and insightful" parts higher, but these comprise only a fraction of the entire work.
March 5, 2019
Who knew there were Christian mystics way-back-when? I don't think this is widely shared today, and that is sad. I recently went on a silent Christian retreat and I couldn't think of a better book to take along than this one. The book is composed of hundreds of tiny little stories about the sayings and actions of the very early Christian monks who lived off-life, often in mostly silent retreat, in caves or small huts, mostly in the desert. Here they confront demons and heretics and nay-sayers and followers with odd reactions and Zen-like wisdom. The stories are organized by category, and just the categories are revealing: quiet, compunction, possessing nothing, fortitude, nothing done for show, non-judgment, discretion, sober living, unceasing prayer, hospitality, obedience, humility, patience, charity. It's the kind of book that one could spend her entire life reading and rereading, although don't expect contradiction between the sayings, but it is there, of course, as all true wisdom is paradoxical, and don't be surprised to read some wackiness here and there.
January 26, 2020
A fascinating view on early Christian asceticism, containing much wisdom and some humour (due to our modern perspective on things).
" Theodore . . . had three good books. He went to Macarius, and said, 'I have three good books, and I am helped by reading them. Other monks also want to read them, and they are helped by them. Tell me what to do.' Macarius replied, 'Reading books is good, but possessing nothing is more than anything.' When he heard this, he went and sold the books, and gave the money to the poor. "
" 'The prophets wrote books. Our predecessors came after them, and worked hard at them, and then their successors memorized them. But this generation copies them onto papyrus and parchment and leaves them unused on the window-ledge.' "
" 'He should always be singing psalms in his heart.' "
" They said of one hermit that he sometimes longed to eat a cucumber . . . He was not overcome by his longing, and did not eat it, but tamed himself, and repented that he had wanted it at all.
" Theodore . . . had three good books. He went to Macarius, and said, 'I have three good books, and I am helped by reading them. Other monks also want to read them, and they are helped by them. Tell me what to do.' Macarius replied, 'Reading books is good, but possessing nothing is more than anything.' When he heard this, he went and sold the books, and gave the money to the poor. "
" 'The prophets wrote books. Our predecessors came after them, and worked hard at them, and then their successors memorized them. But this generation copies them onto papyrus and parchment and leaves them unused on the window-ledge.' "
" 'He should always be singing psalms in his heart.' "
" They said of one hermit that he sometimes longed to eat a cucumber . . . He was not overcome by his longing, and did not eat it, but tamed himself, and repented that he had wanted it at all.
October 19, 2024
I read this book in college several years ago, and my first time reading it, I saw it mainly as trivial and often superfluously strict and religiously legalistic recommendations from ancient fuddy-duddies who lived in the desert, forsook their famIlies, stared at cucumbers and glasses of water for penance instead of eating them, imagined the presence of demons, and put “good works” and penance before an actual relationship with God. “Religion above relationship”, I think I quickly wrote it off as.
Reading it again almost four years later, I’m realizing how much I’ve matured, for I was touched and moved at what I now see as wisdom beyond what I originally assumed. I see the Desert Fathers now as early Christian men and women of an incredible faith, dedicated to a lifestyle that very few have the courage or the divine calling for. I see the extreme humility, self-denial, and deference for the Word of God that I don’t think I fully saw before.
I certainly do not think all Christians need to live like the Desert Fathers and I think if anyone reads this text and comes away with that conclusion, they may have read it incorrectly. Being a monk was a niche and rare calling, but I think all of us can glean from their level of discipline, trust, and wisdom. And I think their stories can and should be applied to our “modern Christian” lives today. I think it takes an open and early-church-centric perspective to understand the depth. I certainly am no pro, and I have barely scratched the surface of this deeply layered book.
Reading it again almost four years later, I’m realizing how much I’ve matured, for I was touched and moved at what I now see as wisdom beyond what I originally assumed. I see the Desert Fathers now as early Christian men and women of an incredible faith, dedicated to a lifestyle that very few have the courage or the divine calling for. I see the extreme humility, self-denial, and deference for the Word of God that I don’t think I fully saw before.
I certainly do not think all Christians need to live like the Desert Fathers and I think if anyone reads this text and comes away with that conclusion, they may have read it incorrectly. Being a monk was a niche and rare calling, but I think all of us can glean from their level of discipline, trust, and wisdom. And I think their stories can and should be applied to our “modern Christian” lives today. I think it takes an open and early-church-centric perspective to understand the depth. I certainly am no pro, and I have barely scratched the surface of this deeply layered book.
March 31, 2018
Reading a book about the impacts of loneliness got me to thinking about this fascinating text, which I last read close to twenty years ago. These sayings come to us from a period of semi-solitary desert monasticism, as human beings pursuing God inflicted not just hunger and privation upon themselves, but also and often a deeply sustained isolation.
So I re-read it, and it was...hmm.
I still find these little snippets of their lives and teachings simultaneously wise and spiritually potent and more than a little bit insane. All at the same time. Not that those three things don't work together. In fact, I'd say they kind of have to.
Interesting and peculiarly helpful to the soul.
So I re-read it, and it was...hmm.
I still find these little snippets of their lives and teachings simultaneously wise and spiritually potent and more than a little bit insane. All at the same time. Not that those three things don't work together. In fact, I'd say they kind of have to.
Interesting and peculiarly helpful to the soul.
September 11, 2009
Wonderful collection of the sayings of the Desert Fathers (and Mothers). The 'Sayings' are arranged topically. The material included in this volume include parables, stories, legends, wise sayings, dialogues and visions. The diversity of the material is matched only by the diversity of the desert monks themselves. Some of them are cranky and legalistic people. Others are graceful but strange, and some are friendly and hospitable. There is a lot in this volume that is thought provoking about the life of prayer. I think if you read it, you would definitely find something to enjoy about these strange saints.
July 10, 2020
Highly recommended for those who would take encouragement for the regular practice of spiritual principles. For anyone who has ever wrestled with demons, tried to sever an attachment or change a habit.
April 19, 2025
This book is definitely a haystack, but when you find your needles, it's all worth it.
June 13, 2017
This is a book of collected sayings from monks and nuns living communally or hermits living separately, mostly in Egypt, during the early days of Christianity.
I read it, looking for wisdom. What I found was mostly...not that, really.
These people removed themselves from the distractions and/or corruption of human society and pretty much regarded social interaction as evil. They were after God, through isolation, fasting and prayer, in a way Jesus never did. He didn't fast or retreat from the world for the lengths of time these people did.
It changed the way they regarded life. Since I haven't done anything approaching their extremes, I doubt I am able to fully understand their thinking. Still, it seemed they were introspective to a psychologically unhealthy degree.
Some of their sayings seem spiritual and positive from a Christian standpoint. Some seems so 'spiritual' that it goes off the deep end...
To illustrate: A brother was asked if he wanted to see Christ and he said no. He wanted to see Christ in the next life, not this one. Okay- what?? It kind of sounds spiritual, but just seems off. Wouldn't seeing Christ in both be better? His view doesn't seem to allow for that.
Additionally, there are contradictions when you look at the sayings of one sage, then read those of another.
Then again, some of the accounts are just strange. One story has a guy using a corpse as a pillow. It's just too weird.
This is perhaps what an extreme lifestyle/fanaticism will do to a person.
The scholar that put this together explained that the sayings were very influential in the Middle Ages. I think their appeal has diminished since then.
I read it, looking for wisdom. What I found was mostly...not that, really.
These people removed themselves from the distractions and/or corruption of human society and pretty much regarded social interaction as evil. They were after God, through isolation, fasting and prayer, in a way Jesus never did. He didn't fast or retreat from the world for the lengths of time these people did.
It changed the way they regarded life. Since I haven't done anything approaching their extremes, I doubt I am able to fully understand their thinking. Still, it seemed they were introspective to a psychologically unhealthy degree.
Some of their sayings seem spiritual and positive from a Christian standpoint. Some seems so 'spiritual' that it goes off the deep end...
To illustrate: A brother was asked if he wanted to see Christ and he said no. He wanted to see Christ in the next life, not this one. Okay- what?? It kind of sounds spiritual, but just seems off. Wouldn't seeing Christ in both be better? His view doesn't seem to allow for that.
Additionally, there are contradictions when you look at the sayings of one sage, then read those of another.
Then again, some of the accounts are just strange. One story has a guy using a corpse as a pillow. It's just too weird.
This is perhaps what an extreme lifestyle/fanaticism will do to a person.
The scholar that put this together explained that the sayings were very influential in the Middle Ages. I think their appeal has diminished since then.
November 11, 2019
This was book Number 3 in “25 Books Every Christian Should Read”.
I gave this a 4 instead of a 5 because some of the sayings are repeated verbatim in multiple sections. I can see how it applies to different topics, still another saying could have been used instead of repeating the same one over.
I am bookending this with “Early Christian Lives” edited by Carolinne White. That will lead me into book Number 4 which is by St. Benedict
I gave this a 4 instead of a 5 because some of the sayings are repeated verbatim in multiple sections. I can see how it applies to different topics, still another saying could have been used instead of repeating the same one over.
I am bookending this with “Early Christian Lives” edited by Carolinne White. That will lead me into book Number 4 which is by St. Benedict
April 18, 2008
Interesting account of ancient Hellenic-Egyptian monks attempting to live in strict accordance with the Gospel. While reading it, one can have the curious feeling of being alternately (or often simultaneously) damned and comforted.
May 6, 2025
This amazing collection of Apothegmata of the Early Christian Desert Fathers has been a wonderful companion on the recent turns of my faith journey. I will certainly spend time in this for the rest of my life. The meditations and wisdom of the fathers shows us what true humility is. I would highly recommend this to anyone struggling with pride, curious about early Christian monasticism, or seeking spiritual wisdom. Can’t wait to meet some of these saints in the realm beyond! Thank you Colson for the recommendation! It was life changing!
January 9, 2017
The Desert Fathers are an interesting bunch. They go to great lengths not to have to talk to people even other monks, some of them only sleep an hour every night, they eat about once a week, and are looking for demons around every corner. One of them actually questions transubstantiation but fortunately for his soul an angel comes down and sets him straight. The book actually deals with racism a bit. One of the desert fathers is black and several times other monks decide to test him by hurling racist insults. He apparently passes the test by bearing it quietly.
This is my favorite selection:
"Blessed Archbishop Theophilus, accompanied by a
magistrate, came one day to find Abba Arsenius. He
questioned the old man, to hear a word from him. After a
short silence the old man answered him ‘Will you put into
practice what I say to you?' They promised him this. 'If you
hear Arsenius is anywhere, do not go there.'"
This is my favorite selection:
"Blessed Archbishop Theophilus, accompanied by a
magistrate, came one day to find Abba Arsenius. He
questioned the old man, to hear a word from him. After a
short silence the old man answered him ‘Will you put into
practice what I say to you?' They promised him this. 'If you
hear Arsenius is anywhere, do not go there.'"
February 26, 2013
This is the best collection of the sayings of the early church writers from the desert. I commend it highly as a way to get to the sources quickly.
February 21, 2021
I started Lent off right this year
November 13, 2022
A collection of various sayings from the Desert Fathers. I originally picked up this book after learning that St Philip Neri would often read them. It is very insightful into a very ascetic form of Christian life, and contains little gems of wisdom. The disciples of the Desert Fathers and Mothers would often go to them for 'a saying' a pithy saying over which they would spend years contemplating.
At times they could be rather humorous (the monk who chastised himself for the 'exuberent' desire to eat a cucumber), but also masterfully insightful into the spiritual life. One that I remember concerned the guilt after a sin committed, a disciple asking his Abba why he still felt guilty and how he wasn't sure whether God had forgiven his sin (killing a pregnant woman), the Abba explained to him that while God had forgiven him, he allowed the guilt to remain so that he would avoid sin in the future. A beautiful insight into guilt and forgiveness.
This is something I will certainly pick up again, for its masterful insights. There is however another collection of Sayings from the Desert Fathers organised by theme, rather than alphabetical. The thematic version may be more suitable and I think I would have preferred the sayings organised by theme in order to better find and apply sayings relevant to my own spiritual life. I might pick that up instead.
At times they could be rather humorous (the monk who chastised himself for the 'exuberent' desire to eat a cucumber), but also masterfully insightful into the spiritual life. One that I remember concerned the guilt after a sin committed, a disciple asking his Abba why he still felt guilty and how he wasn't sure whether God had forgiven his sin (killing a pregnant woman), the Abba explained to him that while God had forgiven him, he allowed the guilt to remain so that he would avoid sin in the future. A beautiful insight into guilt and forgiveness.
This is something I will certainly pick up again, for its masterful insights. There is however another collection of Sayings from the Desert Fathers organised by theme, rather than alphabetical. The thematic version may be more suitable and I think I would have preferred the sayings organised by theme in order to better find and apply sayings relevant to my own spiritual life. I might pick that up instead.
November 7, 2025
På vei te studie e dette den perfekte bogå å slenga opp. Stappa på èin t-bane der det føles ud så tidenes rotte race kan du lesa om någen så levde et radikalt anderledes liv. Selvfornektelse og selvoppofrelse samt èin enorm gudsfrykt og avkall på alle egne lyster. Mange av de virka nesten så de hata å dela visdommen og, ut av frykt for å bli høge på seg sjøl og mista den spesielle nære relasjonen te Gud.
Møye så står virke rart i vår tid, det e ikkje heilt "helgen-typer" heller så ofte. Men de prøve knallhard! Konstante møter med demoner og av og te satan sjøl så de skrive, e veldig interessant lesing og èin del av troå eg oppleve kjerkå legge litt skjul på i dag, eller spele ner te èin viss grad.
Overall:
Veldig interessant.
Møye visdom.
Inspirerande.
Åndelig påfyll.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4,5/5
Møye så står virke rart i vår tid, det e ikkje heilt "helgen-typer" heller så ofte. Men de prøve knallhard! Konstante møter med demoner og av og te satan sjøl så de skrive, e veldig interessant lesing og èin del av troå eg oppleve kjerkå legge litt skjul på i dag, eller spele ner te èin viss grad.
Overall:
Veldig interessant.
Møye visdom.
Inspirerande.
Åndelig påfyll.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4,5/5
November 12, 2021
Proof God has a sense of humor
November 14, 2021
The book is a tough read in many ways. The Desert Fathers lived a very ascetic form of Christianity virtually unknown in any part of the world today. They did so in the very early centuries of Christianity. The book will challenge even the most serious believer on how seriously he/she takes the Faith. Very much worth a read, because it is tough to hear the hard sayings.
(quoting St. Anthony the Great) "'The kingdom of God is within you.' All that is needed for goodness is that which is within, the human heart." (xxii)
"'So whatever you find you are drawn to in following God's will, do it and let your heart be at peace.'" (p. 5)
"Always look at your own sins, and do not judge another's." (p. 7)
"If he speaks well, say, 'Yes.' If he speaks ill, say, 'I don't know anything about that.'" (p. 7)
"'Cut the desire for many things out of your heart and so prevent your mind being dispersed and your stillness lost.'" (p. 10)
"'Alas, how shall I stand before the judgement seat of Christ? How shall I give an account of my actions?' If you always meditate like this, you will be saved.'" (p. 12)
"Say also to your soul, 'What do I want with people?'" (p. 17)
"'The human body is like a coat. If you treat it carefully, it will last a long time. If you neglect it, it will fall to pieces.'" (p. 49)
"'The character of the genuine monk only appears when he is tempted.'" (p. 63)
"'We do not make progress because we do not realize how much we can do. We lose interest in the work we have begun, and we want to be good without even trying.'" (p. 66)
"God can bestow crowns upon us even for resisting little temptations." (p. 75)
"'An open treasury is quickly spent; any virtue will be lost if it is published abroad and is known about everywhere.'" (p. 82)
"'If you want to keep your own rule, stay in your cell and never go out.'" (p. 83)
"'When we cover our brother's sin, God covers our sin. When we tell people about our brother's guilt, God does the same with ours.'" (p. 85)
"'If the body is strong, the soul weakens. If the body weakens, the soul is strong...If the body is prosperous, the soul grows lean; if the body is lean, the soul grows prosperous.'" (p. 92)
"'If you shut a snake or a scorpion in a box it will die. Wicked thoughts, which the demons scatter, slowly lose their power if the victim has endurance.'" (p. 99)
"'I think Mary always needs Martha, and by Martha's help Mary is praised.'" (p. 105)
"'All chatter is unnecessary. Nowadays everyone talks but what is needed is action. That is what God wants, not useless talking.'" (p. 108)
"'We are not condemned if bad thoughts enter our minds, but only if we use them badly. Because of our thoughts we may suffer shipwreck, but because of our thoughts we may also earn a crown.'" (p. 110)
"'The devil is like a hostile neighbor and you are like a house. The enemy continually throws all the dirt that he can find into your house. It is your business to throw out whatever he throws in. If you neglect to do this, your house will be so full of mud that you will not be able to get inside. From the moment he begins to throw it in, put it out again, bit by bit: and so with Christ's help your house will remain clean.'" (p. 127)
"'All the other efforts in a religious life, whether they are made vehemently or gently, have room for a measure of rest. But we need to pray till our dying breath. That is the great struggle.'" (p. 130)
"'It is not wooden doors we are taught to shut; the door we need to keep shut is the mouth.'" (p. 135)
"'Lord, do not leave me, though I have done nothing good in your sight.'" (p. 149)
"'I have often been sorry that I have spoken, never that I have been silent.'" (p. 150)
"'To go against self is the beginning of salvation.'" (p. 153)
"'The goats are people like myself; who the sheep are, God alone knows.'" (p. 164)
"'Do not teach too early, or you will have less understanding during the rest of your life.'" (p. 167)
"'Blessed is he who always sees his own sins.'" (p. 168)
"'Whatever hardship comes upon you, it can be overcome by silence.'" (p. 173)
(quoting St. Anthony the Great) "'The kingdom of God is within you.' All that is needed for goodness is that which is within, the human heart." (xxii)
"'So whatever you find you are drawn to in following God's will, do it and let your heart be at peace.'" (p. 5)
"Always look at your own sins, and do not judge another's." (p. 7)
"If he speaks well, say, 'Yes.' If he speaks ill, say, 'I don't know anything about that.'" (p. 7)
"'Cut the desire for many things out of your heart and so prevent your mind being dispersed and your stillness lost.'" (p. 10)
"'Alas, how shall I stand before the judgement seat of Christ? How shall I give an account of my actions?' If you always meditate like this, you will be saved.'" (p. 12)
"Say also to your soul, 'What do I want with people?'" (p. 17)
"'The human body is like a coat. If you treat it carefully, it will last a long time. If you neglect it, it will fall to pieces.'" (p. 49)
"'The character of the genuine monk only appears when he is tempted.'" (p. 63)
"'We do not make progress because we do not realize how much we can do. We lose interest in the work we have begun, and we want to be good without even trying.'" (p. 66)
"God can bestow crowns upon us even for resisting little temptations." (p. 75)
"'An open treasury is quickly spent; any virtue will be lost if it is published abroad and is known about everywhere.'" (p. 82)
"'If you want to keep your own rule, stay in your cell and never go out.'" (p. 83)
"'When we cover our brother's sin, God covers our sin. When we tell people about our brother's guilt, God does the same with ours.'" (p. 85)
"'If the body is strong, the soul weakens. If the body weakens, the soul is strong...If the body is prosperous, the soul grows lean; if the body is lean, the soul grows prosperous.'" (p. 92)
"'If you shut a snake or a scorpion in a box it will die. Wicked thoughts, which the demons scatter, slowly lose their power if the victim has endurance.'" (p. 99)
"'I think Mary always needs Martha, and by Martha's help Mary is praised.'" (p. 105)
"'All chatter is unnecessary. Nowadays everyone talks but what is needed is action. That is what God wants, not useless talking.'" (p. 108)
"'We are not condemned if bad thoughts enter our minds, but only if we use them badly. Because of our thoughts we may suffer shipwreck, but because of our thoughts we may also earn a crown.'" (p. 110)
"'The devil is like a hostile neighbor and you are like a house. The enemy continually throws all the dirt that he can find into your house. It is your business to throw out whatever he throws in. If you neglect to do this, your house will be so full of mud that you will not be able to get inside. From the moment he begins to throw it in, put it out again, bit by bit: and so with Christ's help your house will remain clean.'" (p. 127)
"'All the other efforts in a religious life, whether they are made vehemently or gently, have room for a measure of rest. But we need to pray till our dying breath. That is the great struggle.'" (p. 130)
"'It is not wooden doors we are taught to shut; the door we need to keep shut is the mouth.'" (p. 135)
"'Lord, do not leave me, though I have done nothing good in your sight.'" (p. 149)
"'I have often been sorry that I have spoken, never that I have been silent.'" (p. 150)
"'To go against self is the beginning of salvation.'" (p. 153)
"'The goats are people like myself; who the sheep are, God alone knows.'" (p. 164)
"'Do not teach too early, or you will have less understanding during the rest of your life.'" (p. 167)
"'Blessed is he who always sees his own sins.'" (p. 168)
"'Whatever hardship comes upon you, it can be overcome by silence.'" (p. 173)
November 26, 2020
While I didn't love every saying in this collection, I loved more than enough of them to consider it one of the more profound works on Christian spirituality that I've ever read. Probably what struck me the most was that these ancient mystics and monks, having embraced lives of solitude and suffering in the desert, were in many ways living out my own personal interpretation of our standing before God to a much greater degree than I ever have, thus showing me what the implications of my own perspective arguably necessitate. Specifically, I've always thought it makes proper sense to self-deprecate, to see oneself primarily as a sinner worthy of God's judgment, to abase oneself--given that we are all sinners, all beings who have fallen short of His glory, why have any pride in one's own accomplishments at all? But it is one thing to say as an otherwise accomplished and privileged member of an advanced, secular society; these people said it in the midst of genuine primitive deprivation, and they said it over and over again, with a seriousness unlike anything I've ever honestly complicated. They would insult themselves, tear themselves down, consider themselves exiles from everyone and everything, refuse any kind of engagement or judgment, all for the sake of reminding themselves of the ignorance, worthlessness, and dependence upon God. To a quasi-Lutheran poser like myself, their determination really showed me up...and showed me, perhaps, the limitations of that perspective.
If that was all I got out of these writings, that would be one thing, but the fact is, in the midst of all the self-humilitation, there are also stories which exemplify pastor care, responsible reflections on moderation, and contemplative insights worth treasuring. Whatever your personal encounter with this book it is an encounter worth having, I think. (More thoughts of mine about the book can be found here.)
If that was all I got out of these writings, that would be one thing, but the fact is, in the midst of all the self-humilitation, there are also stories which exemplify pastor care, responsible reflections on moderation, and contemplative insights worth treasuring. Whatever your personal encounter with this book it is an encounter worth having, I think. (More thoughts of mine about the book can be found here.)
June 19, 2014
This collection of the Sayings is a wonderful view into the life and rule of the Desert Fathers/Mothers. From their most famous words to little-known maxims and stories, this book is certainly a spiritually-challenging read. Although their austere spirituality is at times off-putting or intimidating, I think it is best to remember that these men and women were fleeing what they saw as the watering down of the faith by the infiltration of the empire's political influence. They developed a way of life that matched the conditions of their environment, but also was built on love and mercy. While some sayings seem hard as stone, there are more that seem to promote a love of neighbor that few modern Christians could match. Nearly every father stressed that if a monk saw themselves as being above anyone in life, practice, or piety, they had already lost. Indeed, the Fathers seem to vindicate that which their spiritual ancestors affirm: a monk's true purpose in fleeing to solitude is not to hide from the world, but to be in contention for it; they lose everything in order to pray for those who cannot accept such a life. They weep over their own sins and consistently remind us that the world is with us wherever we go... but so is God, and He has overcome the world. We have the Desert Fathers and Mothers to thank for developing Christian monasticism, which saw the Faith through incredibly difficult times, and indeed kept it afloat in the so-called Dark Ages. The fact that we have a Faith to continue practicing is due largely to these remarkable people. Thank God for them.
June 20, 2023
The Desert Fathers is a book of collected sayings or events in the life of a variety of desert fathers who lived in Egypt, Syria, or Palestine during the 3rd through the 5th century. The book is divided into 18 chapters, with each chapter containing sayings or insights about a way to live life, for example a chapter on obedience, or self control, or avoiding lust. The desert fathers were Christian men who went out into the desert wilderness to contemplate how to live a holy life and to not be distracted by living amongst a community of people who were not focused on living for God.
There are many insightful sayings and good truths contained in these pages. However, it is not a narrative, it is a collection of sayings about topics. I read a few pages each day, because I tried to let the ideas sink in rather than rush through what was a fairly short book. For example, in the chapter on Fortitude, "A hermit said, 'We do not make progress because we do not realize how much we can do. We lose interest in the work we have begun, and we want to be good without even trying".
The entire book is like this, examples on how to live a better life concerning a certain topic. Some of the examples contain longer stories of hermits or monks struggling with a behavior or trying to learn about how to live the right way. The book lets you see how these desert fathers lived out their faith and how they were influential to the Christian community. The introduction at the start of the book is very good to give the reader context about who these people were.
There are many insightful sayings and good truths contained in these pages. However, it is not a narrative, it is a collection of sayings about topics. I read a few pages each day, because I tried to let the ideas sink in rather than rush through what was a fairly short book. For example, in the chapter on Fortitude, "A hermit said, 'We do not make progress because we do not realize how much we can do. We lose interest in the work we have begun, and we want to be good without even trying".
The entire book is like this, examples on how to live a better life concerning a certain topic. Some of the examples contain longer stories of hermits or monks struggling with a behavior or trying to learn about how to live the right way. The book lets you see how these desert fathers lived out their faith and how they were influential to the Christian community. The introduction at the start of the book is very good to give the reader context about who these people were.
July 12, 2012
Brilliant. Staggering. Nothing I read in Pastoral Care class was half a useful as knowing the right story from the desert fathers. This book captures (with some historical redaction) the experiences and teachings of the first Christian monks in the Egyptian desert in the 4th century. The extremity of their devotion, and the wisdom it produced, is an endless marvel. I keep a stock of this book on hand to give as gifts, especially to ministers. It certainly repays re-reading.
February 28, 2009
This is an amazing look at desert monastic tradition in the early Christian empire. There's not only a wealth of strangeness, from holy dwarfs to questionable miracles, there's a real sense of the proto-Islamic culture that springs up from this region, taking the Hellenization and applying it in a harsh environment on Rome's Eastern reaches.
August 11, 2018
Amazing book full of inspirational figures whose sayings, short but powerful, really develop them all into distinctive characters. Spiritually fulfilling and deeply humbling. Recommend to anyone and everyone, especially if your mind is troubled or your heart has been worn down by the world. Arsenius is the man!
October 18, 2018
I don't consider this a "beginner" book. Unless you are a monk, clergy or scholar I would not start with this. This read to me the way I get poetry: Some are really clear and make sense and others are generate more questions than answers.
June 8, 2019
"A brother said to Serapion, 'Give me a word.' But he replied, 'What can I say to you? You have taken what belongs to widows and orphans and put it on your window-ledge.' He saw that the window-ledge was full of books."
March 14, 2023
This is a complicated book to review or recommend and I still do not know how I feel about it.
The Desert Fathers and Mothers were a group of extreme ascetics in the 3rd-4th centuries. They lived in the desert, hence the name, and avoided all forms of pleasure or enjoyment. This included simple things like sleep, food, and drink. Instead, they spent most of their time praying and meditating. Many of the names in this book spent decades barely sleeping, barely eating, and some even lived utterly alone.
People would often approach the desert fathers asking for "a word," being a piece of wisdom. The book is a collection of these sayings with various stories as well. The miraculous and mystical abounds in many of the stories. Their extreme rejection of all kinds of pleasure makes their wisdom a mixed bag. Their faith is admirable at points, but often their wisdom reeks of works-based righteousness.
You have to approach this book like a humble student asking a senior monk/nun for some of the wisdom they have learned in their years of following Jesus. Some of their wisdom is helpful, others less so, and some downright repulsive. The book demands to be read slowly taking each word on its own merits.
I wouldn't recommend this book to many people. You need to be able to look past a lot of the flaws of the desert fathers in order to appreciate their wisdom. I'm not always sure that it is worth it.
The Desert Fathers and Mothers were a group of extreme ascetics in the 3rd-4th centuries. They lived in the desert, hence the name, and avoided all forms of pleasure or enjoyment. This included simple things like sleep, food, and drink. Instead, they spent most of their time praying and meditating. Many of the names in this book spent decades barely sleeping, barely eating, and some even lived utterly alone.
People would often approach the desert fathers asking for "a word," being a piece of wisdom. The book is a collection of these sayings with various stories as well. The miraculous and mystical abounds in many of the stories. Their extreme rejection of all kinds of pleasure makes their wisdom a mixed bag. Their faith is admirable at points, but often their wisdom reeks of works-based righteousness.
You have to approach this book like a humble student asking a senior monk/nun for some of the wisdom they have learned in their years of following Jesus. Some of their wisdom is helpful, others less so, and some downright repulsive. The book demands to be read slowly taking each word on its own merits.
I wouldn't recommend this book to many people. You need to be able to look past a lot of the flaws of the desert fathers in order to appreciate their wisdom. I'm not always sure that it is worth it.
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