The Ancient Path

The bestselling author of The Lessons of St. Francis offers practical insight into how the early Church Fathers can offer guidence and inspiration in our modern lives. In the 1970s, John Michael Talbot was new to the Christian faith and developed a habit of looking to the Church Fathers, including St. Ambrose, St. Jerome, St. Augustine and Gregory the Great for guidance. This book tells the story of how these men helped Talbot through spiritual and professional challenges throughout his life, and how these ancient Christians are relevant to the lives of modern believers today.

About the Author :
JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT, the author of The Lessons of St. Francis, is one of the founding fathers of Christian music with over 4.5 million records sold. He has received, among many other honors, Dove Awards and Grammy nominations. He tours constantly, headlining over 150 shows which include music and lectures per year.

Review :
John Michael Talbot has done us all a great favor by opening up the great gift of the Fathers. In his own unique style he has produced a splendid window looking out on the wisdom and the world of the Fathers. This work is a true blessing. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, D.C. The so-called Church Fathers are not some theologians as we know them nowadays. They were close to the teaching of the Apostles conveying the teaching of those who were close to Jesus. Their theology and wisdom is close to everyday life. We have to thank John Michael Talbot that he has been able to unearth the treasures of those times. This was only possible because he himself in his community experiences the Gospel lived out in our times. Notker Wolf OSB, Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Order John Michael Talbot has provided an excellent, readable and creative book that introduces the Fathers to the ordinary reader. He does so by letting us know what the Fathers taught concerning the mysteries of Jesus who Jesus is, how he saved us, the sacraments he instituted. He also familiarizes us with the life of the early church how she was structured, prayed, lived and worked. Highly recommended for personal reading, Catholic young adult and adult education, and Christian reading groups. Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy, O.F.M., Cap. Member of the Vatican s International Theological Commission "Besides being the story of John Michael Talbot's personal faith journey, this is an easy introduction to the teachings of the Church Fathers, the great preachers and leaders of the early Christian Church. His story shows how the ancient documents are not dead letters but living guides for our own time. Hopefully his very readable account will inspire others to search the treasures of the Christian legacy for inspirtational guidance in their own lives." -Abbot Jerome Kodell, O.S.B., Subiaco Abbey I loved this book. John Michael Talbot seamlessly weaves his own journey with that of the fathers of the Church, to help the reader apply time-tested wisdom to the realities of life in the twenty-first century.This is John Michael Talbot's best book yet. And the collaboration with Mike Aquilina is a partnership made in heaven. Their love for the tradition and those who passed it on is evident on every page. Jim Papandrea, co-author of Seven Revolutions " "John Michael Talbot has done us all a great favor by opening up the great gift of the Fathers. In his own unique style he has produced a splen-did window looking out on the wisdom and the world of the Fathers. This work is a true blessing." - Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, D.C. "The so-called Church Fathers are not some theologians as we know them nowadays. They were close to the teaching of the Apostles conveying the teaching of those who were close to Jesus. Their theology and wisdom is close to everyday life. We have to thank John Michael Talbot that he has been able to unearth the treasures of those times. This was only possible because he himself in his community experiences the Gospel lived out in our times." - Notker Wolf OSB, Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Order "John Michael Talbot has provided an excellent, readable and creative book that introduces the Fathers to the ordinary reader. He does so by letting us know what the Fathers taught concerning the mysteries of Jesus - who Jesus is, how he saved us, the sacraments he instituted. He also familiarizes us with the life of the early church - how she was structured, prayed, lived and worked. Highly recommended for personal reading, Catholic young adult and adult education, and Christian reading groups." - Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy, O.F.M., Cap. Member of the Vatican's International Theological Commission "Besides being the story of John Michael Talbot's personal faith journey, this is an easy introduction to the teachings of the Church Fathers, the great preachers and leaders of the early Christian Church. His story shows how the ancient documents are not dead letters but living guides for our own time. Hopefully his very readable account will inspire others to search the treasures of the Christian legacy for inspirtational guidance in their own lives." -Abbot Jerome Kodell, O.S.B., Subiaco Abbey "I loved this book. John Michael Talbot seamlessly weaves his own journey with that of the fathers of the Church, to help the reader apply time-tested wisdom to the realities of life in the twenty-first century. This is John Michael Talbot's best book yet. And the collaboration with Mike Aquilina is a partnership made in heaven. Their love for the tradition and those who passed it on is evident on every page." - Jim Papandrea, co-author of "Seven Revolutions"