What's your ONE top recommendation?

[Macrina]

I know many people in the Theology forums are quite well-read when it comes to Patristics, so I thought a "recommendation" thread would be in order.


So here's the question:
If you could recommend only one work in this category, what would it be and why?




For those looking to find these texts, a good place to start is Christian Classics Ethereal Library.

 

[Knowledge3]

The sayings of the Desert Fathers:

http://www.balamandmonastery.org.lb/fathers/fathers.htm

 

[simonthezealot]

For beginners;
Church history in plain language!
Dr. Bruce Shelley
Very beneficial for grasping an overview prior to delving into the actual writings.

 

[Blackhawk]

I know many people in the Theology forums are quite well-read when it comes to Patristics, so I thought a "recommendation" thread would be in order.


So here's the question:
If you could recommend only one work in this category, what would it be and why?




For those looking to find these texts, a good place to start is Christian Classics Ethereal Library.

Do you mean Primary or Secondary sources? Since I do not know I will do one for each.

Primary- The theological Orations of Gregory the Theologian- ALL CHRISTIANS SHOULD RAD THESE!! So much of how we think of the Trinity comes from these documents.

Secondary- Cyril of Alexandria and the Christological Controversies (the title is something like that) by John Anthony McGuckin- an excellent work that is also reasonably priced and has translations of many of the letters and other works by Cyril (and Nestorius and one by Greg. of Naz.)

 

[Blackhawk]

Sorry, Double post!

 

[Macrina]

Do you mean Primary or Secondary sources?

Heh, I didn't specify that, did I? I meant primary sources, but secondary sources are good, too.

Basically, I figured that a recommended reading list might be helpful to people exploring this new forum.


I'm still indecisive about mine. My first instinct is to say Augustine's On Christian Doctrine (a guide for reading scripture) but I reserve the right to change my mind later.

 

[Macrina]

The sayings of the Desert Fathers:

http://www.balamandmonastery.org.lb/fathers/fathers.htm

Nice link, thanks!

 

[simonthezealot]

My first instinct is to say Augustine's On Christian Doctrine (a guide for reading scripture) but I reserve the right to change my mind later.

Regarding Augustine for newbies.. my POV...
Personally I suggest, "Confessions" and "Retractions" as where to start.

Followed by "A Treatise Against Two Letters of the Pelagians"

Followed by "On Predestination of the saints" and "On Perseverance of the saints".

"Confessions" and "Retractions", gives a context of his meanings of the philosophical terms he uses.

From what I can tell all are available online for you except "Retractions"

 

[Macrina]

Regarding Augustine for newbies.. my POV...
Personally I suggest, "Confessions" and "Retractions" as where to start.

Followed by "A Treatise Against Two Letters of the Pelagians"

Followed by "On Predestination of the saints" and "On Perseverance of the saints".

"Confessions" and "Retractions", gives a context of his meanings of the philosophical terms he uses.

From what I can tell all are available online for you except "Retractions"

If we're talking about newbies...

Confessions is one of the greatest spiritual works ever written, IMHO. It would be an excellent "first read" for someone who has never read any of the Church Fathers.

Many people have read it in college, but if not, Simon is totally right to suggest it. It resonated very deeply with me.

Thanks for bringing that up, Simon.

 

[Macrina]

It occurs to me that perhaps we would benefit from reading such a work together on the forum -- I'll start a thread about it to see what people think.


In the meantime, keep the recommendations coming -- there are already a couple I haven't read that are now on my list!

 

[a_ntv]

The sayings of the Desert Fathers:

http://www.balamandmonastery.org.lb/fathers/fathers.htm

I love it

Regarding Augustine for newbies.. my POV...
Personally I suggest, "Confessions" and "Retractions" as where to start.

Well, the Confessions is a very good book, but I think that most of people have already read it (me too)

Let's say that the ECFs belongs to three families:
- the Westerns
- the Greeks
- the Syrians

A good balance of the three families is needed.
Because of the St Augustine, the more well known Western ECF, is very known, I suggest to go to discover the Greeks (that are known by a some people) and the Syrians (almost unknown)

A Greek starting point is for sure St Athanasius with On Incarnation http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2802.htm

to go to a more ncient, syrian (semitic) writing, I'm reading nowa book on the Ascension of Isaiah, a nice text of abotu 120 ad that can be read in a very few time, bc it is very short http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/ascension.html

 

[ScottBot]

I know many people in the Theology forums are quite well-read when it comes to Patristics, so I thought a "recommendation" thread would be in order.


So here's the question:
If you could recommend only one work in this category, what would it be and why?




For those looking to find these texts, a good place to start is Christian Classics Ethereal Library.

Only one? That's easy. The Didache.

 

[Knowledge3]

My blog is a good source for reading authentic and patristic teaching from the ECF's.

 

[GraceLikeRainFallsDown]

Good Thread.

I am currently reading "Confessions" now. I am keeping track of the others you guys have suggested.

 

[LamorakDesGalis]

I know many people in the Theology forums are quite well-read when it comes to Patristics, so I thought a "recommendation" thread would be in order.

So here's the question:
If you could recommend only one work in this category, what would it be and why?

How about anything by Benny Hinn, his writings go way back.

 

[a_ntv]

How about anything by Benny Hinn, his writings go way back.

The Fathers of the Church are many theologican writers of the first millennium (about 80-700 ad) that with their books explained the christian doctrine and spirituality.

They (Greeks, Latins or Syrians) are a legacy of any christian church/denomination, and a true ecumenism can be bought reading together their writings.

Benny Hinn is, chronolocially speaking, a little out from the historical period above listed.

 

[ScottBot]

How about anything by Benny Hinn, his writings go way back.

YOu'd be better off studying the works of Benny Hill.

 

[LamorakDesGalis]

The Fathers of the Church are many theologican writers of the first millennium (about 80-700 ad) that with their books explained the christian doctrine and spirituality.

They (Greeks, Latins or Syrians) are a legacy of any christian church/denomination, and a true ecumenism can be bought reading together their writings.

Benny Hinn is, chronolocially speaking, a little out from the historical period above listed.

You are too kind, a_ntv...

YOu'd be better off studying the works of Benny Hill.

Binny Hinn...Benny Hill...is there any real difference?

 

[GratiaCorpusChristi]

Without any doubt whatsoever, I recommend (with a_ntv):

St. Athanasius' On the Incarnation

The work is not long (St. Augustine is fantastic, but his writings can go on interminably), and it's a foundational text in patristics. It represents the basic patristic answer to that all-important question posed by Christ: "Who do you say I am?" It launched me into the world of patristic literature and the historic church. I hope it will do the same for you.

 

[NewToLife]

I'll be the third to recommend St Athanasius On the Incarnation.