The Word in the Desert: Scripture and the Quest for Holiness in Early Christian Monasticism

Rating:
Summary: Account of early Christian hermits
Review: Tells about the Christian hermits in the deserts of Northern Africa and the Middle East. Gives many anecdotes about the spiritual trials of the monks and their relationships to the Abbas (desert fathers, gerontas, hieromonks <- pick your preferred term). Many of these monks had very limited access to any scripture or spiritual instruction. They would go to their spiritual father and beg for a "word" a fragment of scripture that they would repeat to themselves and live with in their stay in the desert. Although I realize it is beyond the scope of the book it would have been fascinating to hear some thoughts on how Christian interpretation of scripture (fourfold interpretation: literal, allegorical, tropological, and anagogical) may have grown out of this, or the possible roots of hesychasm. The book also discusses the early social organization of the monasteries founded in the desert.

Rating:
Summary: another key to early christianity
Review: The book was presented as a great source to watch the "vine" as it grew and branched out. It gave me a glimpse into the conditions that called these men and women to discard all and become a "quietist". A brief glimpse of the beauty of Koine Greek has me searching for more.

Rating:
Summary: another key to early christianity
Review: The book was presented as a great source to watch the "vine" as it grew and branched out. It gave me a glimpse into the conditions that called these men and women to discard all and become a "quietist". A brief glimpse of the beauty of Koine Greek has me searching for more.

Rating:
Summary: The Word shines in the Apophthegmata Patrum
Review: The Word in The desert:
This fine study explores the interpretive process and effective application as the center of the desert fathers' quest for holiness. The setting within which the early monastic movement centered was on the guidance of the enlightened Elders, their insight into the good news that set you free, and their schemes of following the Lord by Kenosis into Theosis (The Imitation of Christ).
In three systematic parts, D. Burton-Christie instruct us with a goal: the Realization of the Word, by the Desert Fathers, through careful analysis of their sayings: The Apophthegmata Partum, called by Coptic monks and laity; "The monastic Garden" is his spiritual archeological field. Starting with their hermeneutic, and how scripture was their fountain for holiness. Chapter 3 , is a fascinating tour in their ever living thought. D.B-C reveals secrets of the continuity of Coptic Monastic Traditions: from its origin and through its growth, within the setting in Scetes. Words in response to a question reminded me of Macarius, instructing us in response to Evagrius Ponticus request: "Do not speak, unless when asked to". Wisdom words in response to a question was the basic way of teaching in Alexandria's Catechism: of Q & A., well observed by Roman Catholics today

Theomystical Analysis:
This study represents a radical change in the historical study of the fathers into the source of their spiritual powers and endurance, a main support to Alexandrine Orthodoxy, best represented through Athanasius, and Cyril, both got their monastic training in Nitria. This inward study of the core wisdom of those fathers of the Universal Church is a fruit of a genuine analysis of the reflection of the Word in their life, monasticism and the Church's life in Christ.
The book also discusses the early social organization of the monasteries founded in the desert, Scetes of Nitria and kellia. Through their catechetical discourses with novices and sages, their tradition emerged and grew, developed in the intricate patterns of meaning woven into their words and their lives. Many of them proved their true faith (St. Mark, longer ending), that opens the door to mystical life.

A Wave of Mystical Fascination:
The growing fascination, in recent decades, of the mystical world of late antiquity, renewed in the up surging revival of the desert monastic devotion as illustrated by the ecumenical fellowship of St. Macarius, and visits to St. Anthony communities, only treated their life and some of their sayings, preserved in the Apophthegmata Patrum: (Monastic Garden), giving many anecdotes about their spiritual trials and discipleship to their mentors 'Old men'. In the last two centuries, in the cradle of monasticism, some holy men, Abba Sarap-Amon, the veiled, Abba Abraam, the Almoner Bishop of Fayyum (Arsenoe), and many others, crowned by the thematurge (wonder worker): Papa Abba Kyrillos (1959-71), revived the curiosity of scholars from Leeder to Dr. Inge, the Gloomy dean, and recently from Thomas Merton to Benedicta Ward. Presently, devoted scholarship of C. Kannengiesser, J.McGuckin, O.Meinardus, T. Spidlik, T.Vivian, and J. Watson following W. Budge, D. Chitty, J. Danielou, A. Guillaumont, and U. von Balthassar.

The Quest for Holiness:
Western scholars have mostly focused on the quest for holiness by the early Christian monks known as the desert fathers, and mothers. Yet until now, little attention has been given to their most vital tool of practical spirituality, acquired by their penetrating interpretation of the Scripture, The desert fathers' mystically enlightened hermeneutics. It profoundly shaped every aspect of their lives, rooted in solitude, and cultivated in stillness, a fruit of meditation on the word. Their practical appropriation of the sacred texts, and mystical interpretation of real Christianity, and its unrelenting application in every day life became the central corpus of practice of their enlightening wisdom.

Holiness through TheoGnosis:
Many of these early fourth century desert dwellers had a limited access to the scripture, since the bible was translated to Bohairic Coptic in the late fourth century. They lacked any written spiritual instruction, and some of them could not even read, they would go to their spiritual fathers and beg for a "word of profit: guiding wisdom;" a verse of scripture that they would repeat to themselves, apply it in their daily life and live it within their hearts.
The Elders interpretation of scripture was mostly allegorical, since Origen influence was very profound, its spiritual sense may have grown out of his mystical writings, developed later into apophatic theology. A powerful biblical support was Jesus parable of the publican; Lord have mercy on me, a sinner. They called this unceasing prayer; 'The arrow prayer': Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me.