pat loughery

Here’s a book summary, written for my next class’s project paper.

“The Way of the Heart: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers” (Henri J. M. Nouwen)

The Way of the Heart: Desert Spirituality and Contemporary Ministry

by Henri Nouwen
HarperSanFransisco (1981)

Description of the Book
The fourth- and fifth-century Desert Fathers practiced solitude, silence and prayer in their spiritual effort. These practices are beneficial for contemporary Christian ministers and others who need heart transformation in a complicated world.

Interpretation of the Book
The author uses a story about Abba Arsenius, a Roman senator who, in prayer one day and asking “Lord, lead me in the way of salvation”, heard God say, “flee, be silent, pray always, for these are the sources of sinlessness.”

Nouwen describes St. Anthony, the early Egyptian monk, and tells the story of a man transformed by his experience in solitude, which allowed him then to minister in public. He relates Anthony’s story to the typical busy minister’s life, calling us to compassion and transformation.

He then discusses the practice of silence, allowing us to guard our words and to listen well. Silence allows space for God’s Spirit to work, and to produce a charitable life.

Thirdly, Nouwen calls us to an attitude of prayer that inwardly transforms and purifies our hearts, resulting in a purer ministry with our God.

Application
There’s not a single page in this book that I haven’t highlighted or adorned with notes, exclamation points, things to quote or blog about.

As a small, approachable, easy to read book, this packs a huge punch. I recommend that any Christian in leadership make it a point to read this book at least yearly. I certainly will schedule this for myself.


I also plan to do a more detailed summary of the book on my blog, to give readers there a deeper sense of the book and why I recommend it so highly.

The application of desert wisdom to contemporary Christian life, and particularly Christian ministry and leadership, is my area of research for my dissertation. Nouwen masterfully applies the stories and the heart of early monastic spirituality in a way that I want to learn from as a student of Christian spirituality.