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Roots of Christian Mysticism: Texts from Patristic Era with Commentary

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Olivier Clement is a French Eastern Orthodox Christian theologian. He has gathered selections from the Church Fathers (and some Mothers too) by topics. Some selections are just a sentence or two, others are several paragraphs. His commentary is brief and usually helpful, but the book's real greatness is that the spirit of the Fathers is so accessible. In this book, everyone can have easy access to the spirituality of ancient Christians. There is deep theology, but also extensive practical sections on prayer and virtues. The English title is inappropriate; the French title is simply "Christian Sources." Clement does not present Christian esotericism but mainstream ancient Christian thought.

I strongly recommend this book to everyone. If you think you are familiar with Christianity, it will open your eyes to the true depths of Christian wisdom. If you are not familiar with Christianity, this book presents the heart of God and the ancient Christian path with clarity, compassion, and wisdom.

Excellent, excellent book. Clement does an outstanding job of bringing together quotes by early church fathers. They are organized in a cohesive manner with useful commentary by Clement.

My first reaction as I began to read the book was, "Awesome." I have read some of the early church writings, but generally got bogged down in their style of writing. Clement brings out the richness of what they wrote and said. I am analytical and tend to think a lot, but was blown over by the depth of thought of some of these fathers. They wrote of things I never even considered. They contemplated mysteries and concepts in a way which brings out the shallowness of modern Christian thought.

This is a scholarly work, but which reads more like a devotional. I usually read through a book in a matter of days. However, this one took months. There is such depth that it requires reading a few pages and setting it aside to contemplate what was said. In terms of its value to me, I would place this book second only to the Bible.

This is the best book I've read on this subject. This type of Christian thought certainly attracts a lot of pseudo-Christians and there seems to be more books written on Christian mysticism by non-Christians than real ones nowadays, but this book is not one of them. It's basically a compendium of mystical Christian thought from the first millenium. This is a book that needs to be read more than once, the information in it is incredibly complex and engaging. When reading this book the Truth of it can be felt on every page; nothing less than the science of love.

Orthodox Theologian Olivier Clement's book is nothing short of a masterpiece. I read this book almost three years ago while in a directed study by one of my professors as I was conducting a research paper for a conference. Their is so much to say, but it would require a lengthy review because the information in this book requires great consideration - I cannot do this book justice here. I will, however, touch on a couple of chapters.

In Chapter 4 of Part 2, titled "Passions Transfigured, Thought Transcended" one learns the importance to purifying his or her heart, so they "can see God." He quotes at length early Church Fathers from Augustine to Chrysostom, from Diadochus of Photike to Climacus. This little chapter is truly mind blowing and heart provoking. Enstasy-Ecstasy which is chapter three of Part three titled "Approaches to Contemplation" is a brilliant chapter.

There is so much that is powerful and enlightening about this book, with commentary after quotes from many Church Fathers that a serious Christian needs to read this book and contemplate the material to grow in the Holy Spirit. One will find themselves referring to this book often.

This is an astonishing book, read it slowly, it's mind-blowing. With immense skill and sensitivity, Clement weaves together quotations from most of the greatest spiritual writers of all time, many unfamiliar in the West, to explore in a profound way the soul's journey into God.

This awe-inspiring and other-worldly book has the ability to unite Christians, if we would simply accept its challenge and walk our talk. Its anecdotal wisdom comes from the authentic writings of the Early Church Fathers, allowing us insight and verification of the truths believed by a Church living a sacrificial and apostolic faith. Its wisdom does not correspond with the "me first" mentality of our culture. It is, however, the true "Way" of following Christ, mystically united to Him.

It is full of wisdom in anecdotal form, meditations one could chew on henceforth, in accompaniment with the Holy Scriptures.

As readers, we must ask ourselves, are we looking to serve ourselves, or are we seeking the kingdom "not of this world"? This otherworldly book belongs beside the Holy Scriptures for our daily meditation. We should study its truths, for this is THE FAITH of the FATHERS, the one, holy, and apostolic faith.

If you can accept its challenge, your life will be richer, truer to Christ, and nourished by solid meat for spiritual food.

Raised a nominal Presbyterian, at best, immersed later into the wild world of charismatic Pentecostalism, then on to the other side of the non-denominational evangelical variety of Christianity, I began to have a real nagging feeling that the Christianity in which I found myself was theologically and spiritually impoverished, that it had become a glorified self-help gospel.

I considered many times abandoning it for something else but kept returning to Jesus, each time digging deeper and deeper into the Bible. But it was when I picked up my own set of writings of the early Church Fathers that I realized what was missing. I was missing the depth and experience of the generations who had come before me.

I would eventually encounter this book. This is not the pseudo-mysticism that passes as "spirituality" today. This is Trinitarian mysticism. As the writer points out:

"It is not a question of thinking about the Trinity, but in it, starting from the Trinity as the unshakeable foundation of all Christian thought." (p. 69)

Laid out in very orderly fashion, the writer takes you deeper and deeper into the mystery, from the beginnings of understanding to the end goal of the deification of humanity through grace. He has chosen an amazing assortment of quotes from the early Fathers such as Irenaeus to the 7th century Fathers such as Maximus the Confessor to provide substance to his basic outline.

I continue to read, and re-read this book, gaining deeper understanding each time and thus enriching and deepening my faith not just intellectually but allowing it to affect my daily walk. My copy is filled with underlining, many pages rabbit eared for quick reference. If you wish to go deeper, this is an invaluable guide to moving beyond the emotionalism and often culturally driven "spirituality" of much of modern Christianity.

I have over the years collected inumerable works on the Church Fathers. This is a special interest of mine ever since having converted to Catholicism. I frequently lecture and teach courses on the Church Fathers. This book is an excellent resource for those who would like to review a sampling of the Fathers on a wide range of topics. The book essentially introduces the reader to the development of Mystical Theology as it emerged from the Patristic writers. The opening chapters from Part One (Understanding Mystery)lay the ground work for understanding the Trinity and the many ways in which God remains hidden, yet also reveals something of Himself: God going out from Himself inorder to draw us to Him. The insights offered by the Fathers help us to live wih the tension of Knowning and Unknowing...the Mystery that God is both revealed and yet remains hidden.
In Part Two, the author's focus is on the Father's perception of the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist as a means of God's Grace, as preparation for warfare with the forces of Evil, how they understood the Kingdom Within, what they taught about the Church both visible and invisible, and the struggle and joys that accompany the quest for spiritual interiority.
Part Three provides a focus on prayer, spiritual ecstacy, and the Love that leads us closer to God and to each other.
In the Preface to the book we read that "Mysticism is an existential attitude, a way of living at a greater depth." This is precisly what the writings of the Early Church Fathers is all about. The book serves as an excellent anthology of their collected writings, and also serves as a truly excellent introduction to the "roots of Christian mysticism."

Clement is a Genius! "Roots of Christian Mysticism" is an essential work for any Christian (Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant) who is serious about moving beyond a superficial faith. By drawing on the teachings from the first witnesses to the Apostolic era, Clement weaves together issues of theology and spirituality of the Christian experience.

This book is written in such a way that it can be the source of many hours of meditative prayer. As a source for Lectio Divina, "Roots of Christian Mysticism" can draw modern Christian disciples more deeply and profoundly into prayer with the Trinitarian God. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by: Dr. Jeffrey Wincel (D.Min), author of "Climbing The Mountain of God, The Path to Mystical Discipleship" , Surviving the Fall, America's Second Great Depressionand Defying the Trend: Business Ethics and Corporate Morality from a Faith Perspective