The first centuries of Christianity are like a far country. But despite their foreignness, they hold a treasury of wisdom for living. Early Christians struggled and flourished in a culture that was in love with empire and military power, infatuated with sex and entertainment, tolerant of all gods but hostile to the One. And from this crucible of discipleship they extracted lessons of virtue, faithfulness, and joy in Christ. Christopher Hall takes us to this distant time, where he interviews Christian leaders around the ancient Mediterranean world, inquiring how to live a good life as a Christ follower. The menu of topics wends its way through wealth and poverty, war and violence, marriage and sexuality, theater and the arena, as well as the harsh realities of persecution and martyrdom. Gathering around Basil or Chrysostom or Augustine, we are instructed anew in the way of discipleship. And as they grapple with issues surprisingly resonant with our own, this cloud of ancient witnesses both surprises and challenges us in the life of faith.
Mục lục
Introduction: Living Wisely with the Church Fathers
Abbreviations
1. ‘They Looked Like Flaming Angels’: Martyrdom
2. ‘A Solid Drop of Gold’: Wealth and Poverty
3. ‘The Misery of These Evils’: War and Military Service
4. ‘The Closest of Relationships’: Sex and the Dynamics of Desire
5. ‘One Hope, One Desire, One Way of Life’: Life as Male and Female, and the Goodness and Beauty of Marriage
6. ‘From the Cradle to the Grave’: Life and Death
7. ‘Let the Races Begin!’: Entertainment
8. Learning to Live a Good Life with God: The Well-Ordered Heart
Notes
Subject Index
Scripture Index
Giới thiệu về tác giả
Christopher A. Hall is chancellor of Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. He previously served as dean of the Templeton Honors College at Eastern. In addition, he is associate editor of the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture.
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