Balance of the Heart: Desert Spirituality for Twenty-First-Century Christians

by Lois Farag

Overview

Desert spirituality speaks to the mind and heart. It is a spirituality that helps us balance our work and daily obligations and figure out our priorities and the place of God in our lives. Desert spirituality addresses our most intimate thoughts and helps us analyze the roots of our spiritual setbacks. Its essence is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matt 22:37). Starting in fourth-century Egypt, desert spirituality has become a global phenomenon. It has endured through the centuries because it is practical and simple; it tells us how to live out Scripture in our daily lives. It is also profound; it is deeply rooted in the theology of the incarnation and the renewal of creation by the resurrection. The desert fathers and mothers left us short wisdom sayings, revealing their inner experience in their long journey toward being with God. They speak about Scripture and prayer, but also about how to love our neighbors, discern our thoughts, and evaluate our daily activities. Come, learn from these desert dwellers as they teach us about the examination of thoughts, the discernment of the soul, and the balance of the heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621898535
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	11/06/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	282
File size:	35 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Lois M. Farag is Associate Professor of Early Church History at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. She is the author of St. Cyril of Alexandria: A New Testament Exegete (2007).
Lois M. Farag is Associate Professor of Early Church History at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. She is the author of St. Cyril of Alexandria: A New Testament Exegete (2007).

Table of Contents

List of Figures ix

Acknowledgments xi

Abbreviations xii

Map: Monastic Centers in Egypt xiv

Part 1 Introduction 3

1 Follow Me: The Beginning of Monasticism 13

2 For God So Loved the World: Theology of the Incarnation as Foundation of Desert Monasticism 47

3 Be Imitators of Me, As I Am of Christ: The Life of Anthony 62

Part 2 Introduction: Clothe Yourselves with a New Self: Daily Life in the Desert 97

4 Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly: Scripture 110

5 Thought Captive to Christ: Thought 118

6 Pray without Ceasing: Prayer 138

7 Treasure in Heaven: Renunciation 154

8 The Discernment of Spirits: Discernment 173

9 God Is Love: Love 187

10 Keep Watch over the Door of My Lips: The Tongue, Slander, Silence, and Judgment 201

11 Clothe Yourselves with Humility: Humility 216

12 Be Perfect: Life of Holiness 233

Epilogue: Love the Lord with All Your Heart, Soul, and Mind 247

Glossary 253

Suggested Titles for Further Reading 257

Biblical Index 261

Index of Quoted Desert Fathers and Mothers 267

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The desert fathers and mothers took to the margins of society to refocus our attention on what really matters. They expressed radical lifestyles so their experiences could bear fruit. They renounced everything in order to learn how to love everyone. And they went to extremes to restore the balance of the heart. This book is another reminder of their relevance and importance in every age, especially ours."
—John Chryssavgis, author of In the Heart of the Desert

"Farag is correct when she says that through 'presentation of the inner spiritual experience of the desert fathers and mothers the reader will discover they are closer to us than we think.' The great virtue of The Balance of the Heartis how Farag focuses our attention on the ipsissima verba, the very words, of the desert mothers and fathers. Early monastic spirituality is alive and well, and even life-changing, in this book. I highly recommend it."
—Tim Vivian, Co-director, Institute for Religion, Education, & Public Policy (IREPP)

Editorial Reviews

"The desert fathers and mothers took to the margins of society to refocus our attention on what really matters. They expressed radical lifestyles so their experiences could bear fruit. They renounced everything in order to learn how to love everyone. And they went to extremes to restore the balance of the heart. This book is another reminder of their relevance and importance in every age, especially ours."
—John Chryssavgis, author of In the Heart of the Desert

"Farag is correct when she says that through 'presentation of the inner spiritual experience of the desert fathers and mothers the reader will discover they are closer to us than we think.' The great virtue of The Balance of the Heartis how Farag focuses our attention on the ipsissima verba, the very words, of the desert mothers and fathers. Early monastic spirituality is alive and well, and even life-changing, in this book. I highly recommend it."
—Tim Vivian, Co-director, Institute for Religion, Education, & Public Policy (IREPP)

From the Publisher