The Fathers of the Church, Expanded Edition

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 289 pages
• Published by: Our Sunday Visitor; Expanded edition October 2, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 159276245X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1592762453
• Book Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Weighs: 3.2 ounces

Reader Reviews
Mike Aquilina's The Father of the Church was originally published in 1999 and became an instant classic and an essential text for the average reader seeking the critical writings, contributions, and lives of the Church's earliest theologians and defenders. With the release of an expanded edition of The Fathers of the Church, Aquilina, my friend and colleague, re-confirms the place of his work as a must-read, not just for Latin-rite Catholics but for all Christians eager to learn more about the early history of Christianity and the first great minds who articulated the truths of the Faith. Aquilina offers an eminently accessible approach to the often intimidating and complex theological arguments and controversies so daunting for the average reader. The key to his success is expressed well by the author himself in his Introduction in which he describes the first Christian centuries as more than a "succession of creeds, councils, persecutions, and heresies." Rather, he correctly sees it more fully as the history of a family, and the book details "how the Fathers of that family strove to keep their household together, to preserve the family's patrimony, to teach and discipline their children, and to protect the family from danger." Aquilina's coverage of each Father includes colorful and entertaining accounts of their lives, along with easy to follow summaries of their teachings, and extensive excerpts of their writings to provide a glimpse into their thoughts, priorities, and literary styles. For a relatively short book of 280 plus pages, he includes a stunning amount of material but never overwhelms the reader. Especially significant are the inclusion of all of the Church Fathers, both East and West, and the chapter on "The World of the Fathers." The latter is an invaluable primer in early Christian history. Aquilina should be congratulated for his willingness to update and expand a book that had already earned lasting fame. Like the original, the new edition should find itself a place swiftly in the library of any serious student of patristics. Comment | | (Report this)