Our readings in this series are from the book, The Church Captive. Here is a brief excerpt from page 26:
“The loss of Christian reality had come about as the ways of the pagan world crept into the Church, unrecognized. The great creeds of the third and fourth century professed the orthodox faith in clear and undeniable forms; throughout the empire churches proliferated and the numbers of Christians increased; but the reality of the simple, disciplined life of loving God and neighbors eluded many.
“The desert fathers – and mothers – wanted something more. They wanted to escape what they regarded as an increasingly compromised Christianity, to seek God and serve their neighbors out of a simple life of prayer, meditation, austere living, good works, and ready witness.”
Now, and for a limited time, you can order The Church Captive together with the next book in our Read Moore series, Revived!, at no cost. Order copies for yourself and for a study group or companion. A free discussion guide is available as well.
T. M. Moore.
