Water from a Deep Well: Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries

by Gerald L. Sittser, John Mark Comer (Afterword), Eugene H Peterson (Foreword)

360 pages, Paperback

Published June 23, 2026

About the author

Usually publishes as Jerry Sittser.

Reviews

[David Ingemansen]

Eminent! En dyb generøsitet og gavmildhed på tværs af kirkens mangfoldige liv gennem historien - med et konkret udblik til et liv i efterfølgelse af Jesus i dag som står i forlængelse af det, som vores forgængere lærer os. Så godt!

[Patricia N.]

Water from a Deep Well
Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries
by Gerald L. Sittser

Rating: 5 star rating

I picked up Water from a Deep Well, thinking it might be a dry book on church history, but it turned out to be much more interesting than I expected. Gerald Sittser, an evangelical Christian, historian, and theology professor, looks at believers from different time periods and what they can teach us about faith, prayer, worship, and following God.

I especially enjoyed reading about people like Thomas Aquinas, the monks, Francis of Assisi, Melania the younger and Pinian, and Poly Carp. Sittser doesn't just give facts about their lives. He explains how their struggles, sacrifices, and devotion to God can still encourage Christians today.

What I liked most was how easy the book was to read despite covering so much history. It made me appreciate the wisdom of Christians from different traditions and centuries. By the end, Sittser brings everything together and encourages readers to learn from these believers while growing deeper in their own faith.

If you enjoy Christian history, theology, or spiritual growth, I think this book is well worth reading. It left me encouraged and with a greater appreciation for the people who helped shape the Christian faith.

Thank you, NetGalley, Inter Varsity Press, and author Gerald L. Sittser, for this free ebook review consideration. All review opinions are my own.

#NetGalley
#GeraldLSittser
#InterVarsityPress
#WaterfromaDeepWell

http://www.patriciasreadingroom.blogs...

http://goodreads.com/patriciasreading...

[Kaleigh]

I loved this book! I’ve never had a clear picture of church history and I loved the particular way this book painted that picture for me. I kept thinking about it during my daily life as I read. So many memorable stories sprinkled throughout. I also appreciate how the author balanced sharing stories of heroes of the faith in a way that felt surprisingly relatable and applicable for the “ordinary” Christian like me. And now I’m excited to go back through it to try some of the Practices! Highly recommend.

[J.]

If you ever feel like modern Christian spirituality is missing a certain depth, Water from a Deep Well by Gerald L. Sittser is exactly what you need.

The Author essentially cures our 'spiritual amnesia' by looking back at the raw, lived experiences of saints, martyrs, and rebels throughout church history. But this isn't a dry academic textbook. He writes as both a solid scholar and a fellow traveler. He does a beautiful job of taking the ancient paths of Christianity and making them feel incredibly relevant to the world we live in today.

What really makes the book work is how practical it is. Despite the deep historical dive, Sittser always brings things back to the present. He wraps up each chapter with scriptures to chew on, good discussion questions, and actual spiritual practices you can try out in your own life.

It’s one of those reads that shifts your perspective, reminding you that we have this massive, rich family history to draw from.

Whether you're a theology student or just someone looking to stretch your faith, it's a fantastic, life-giving book.

[Jonathan Henry]

Beautiful book on church history. As mentioned in the afterward, the American church often falls prey to a-historicity. This book does a beautiful job of distilling two mellinia of the wisdom and failings of Christian spirituality into a format that is accessible and practical. This should be required reading for any believer!

[Taylor Wright]

Solid book for somebody just getting into church history. I appreciate Sittser encouraging the reader to apply these stories and history to their walk with Christ. These aren’t simply stories from history to ingest for personal interest, they are the lives of Christians through time that we have something to learn from.

[Erin]

Great inspiring read for anyone, who is new to faith or been a believer for years. This easy to read church background and history is sure teach you.something and make you want to dig into more study.

[Rachelle Sperling]

This isn't a flashy book. It's not something that you skim. It's one that I would pick up, read a chapter and then might not come back to for awhile. It's a thoughtful book. I especially appreciate the balance the author brings. When he talks about people who lived in extremes he pulls forward what can be embraced and what might not be the best choices (and why).

The author takes a long look of faith through the centuries and encourages us to do the same. There is also a lot of good and thoughtful application to our lives. I think this book is absolutely worth reading, especially for those who haven't deeply studied the history of Christianity and the lives of the saints previously.