John Michael Talbot in The Ancient Path illustrates the teachings of the early church fathers.  He quotes George Santayana’s admonition, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” (p. 10).  Talbot reveals how the teachings of the early church fathers influenced him in his spiritual journey.

This book gives the reader an appreciation for the depth of spirituality of the early church fathers.  Talbot writes from a Roman Catholic perspective so there may be some unfamiliar theological issues for non Roman Catholics.   Such an example  may be the doctrine of deification as Talbot refers to the statement by Athanasius of Alexandria, “He was made man that we might be made God” (p. 76).  The Bible teaches that we may have union with God and that we have become partakers of the nature divine (2 Peter 1:4), but the Bible does not teach that we might be made God.  The Bible clearly teaches that there is only one God and there is no other (Isaiah 45:5).   Although Talbot explains the limitations of Athanasius’ statement, the quotation lacks theological precision.  Lorenzo Snow who served as a President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1898-1901, made a similar statement, “As man now is, God once was; as God is now man may be.”

My major criticism with this book is the author’s emphasis on the teachings of the early church fathers rather than the Bible; however, in fairness to the author, this is a book emphasizing the teachings of the early church fathers.  Talbot quotes, John Henry Newman, “to be deep in history is to cease to be a Protestant” (p. 56).  It was the principle of being deep in history of going back to the Bible that caused me to be a Protestant.  The cry of the Reformation was sola Scriptura through experiencing the truth of the Bible and not what people say about the Bible.   Overall The Ancient Path reveals the rich legacy of the early church fathers and one man’s spiritual journey.  (I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review).

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

Follow me on twitter:  rickhiggins5