I’d like to offer up another book by Rowan Williams. This little book is the best introduction to the sayings of the Desert Fathers that I’ve encountered (particularly for Anglicans and Protestants). Who are the Desert Fathers? Well, in the third and fourth centuries AD, Christianity was gradually growing in acceptance within the ancient world. That was great for all the Christians who — you know — weren’t so keen on being persecuted. However, a new issue began to surface — the half-hearted or “lukewarm” Christian. So, those believers who sought a more strenuous spiritual life began to leave the cities and headed into the wilderness — the Egyptian desert to be specific.
These spiritual seekers often became hermits, so that they could seek God in the quiet and stillness of solitude. Ironically, they were often tracked down by those wanting to hear the wisdom they had either gained from God or wrested for themselves in fighting the demons in the wilderness. The pilgrims who came to these holy men and women of the desert wrote down what they were told, and the tradition of the Desert Fathers (and Mothers) was born.
Also, this tradition was not just on the fringe. No less an august person as St. Athanasius got into the act with his Life of St. Antony (who was perhaps the most famous Desert Father).
Anyway, the Sayings of the Desert Fathers are very interesting, thought-provoking, and…confusing (similar to Zen koans in many ways). Some great books try to categorize these sayings simply by topic, but many sayings and the stories that go with them need more explanation.
Williams’ short book actually enters into the reasoning and faith standing behind this tradition — which in many ways is the beginning of the Christian mystical tradition. The Desert Fathers have also had great impact on other religious traditions, particularly the hermetic tradition and Sufi mysticism in Islam.
So, interested in the Desert Fathers? Williams is a great place to start!