This is a seminal work for any interested in Patristics and the early Christian Church. The work itself is really a keystone of Christianity and the translation is very accessible, but the introduction is not very helpful and seems to be written by someone who clearly does not understand the Faith in its context. Read the text, skip the preface and introduction, and instead track down C.S. Lewis' intro to Athanasius' On...
0Report
"The personalization of the mystical path begun with Philo's presentation of Moses and the patriarchs here reaches a new stage, as Athanasius portrays his contemporary, Anthony the Monachos, as the ideal mystic initiate." Bernard McGinn, The Foundation of Mysticism Antony, the Father of Monks: I was captivated when I first heard, at an early age of twelve, the Life of St. Antony, written by Athanasius, the heroic defender...
0Report
"You have entered upon a noble rivalry with the monks of Egypt by your determination either to equal or surpass them in your training in the way of virtue... in answer to your prayers God will give its fulfillment." Athanasius, 'to the brethren in foreign lands' "Athanasius's biography was not only a bestseller in its day, but a book that made people stop and think--and act." David Wright Antony the Anchorite: Third century...
0Report
The Life of St. Antony was very uplifting and encouraging. The Letter to Marcellinus really helped me view the Psalms in a different light. It was a great benefit to read this book. I highly recommend it to anyone searching for deeper understanding of the Christian life.
0Report
Although the preface is a bit lacking, the two works by St. Athanasius translated here are worth not only reading, but contemplating and wrestling with as well.The first work, The Life of Antony, is a work about the father of Christian asceticism, St. Antony of Egypt. It contains both narrative and doctrinal content; the doctrinal content is presented in the forms of discourses by Antony, usually to groups of monks. He teaches...
0Report