Irdene Gefäße. Die Praxis des persönlichen Gebetes nach der Überlieferung der heiligen Väter

by Gabriel Bunge, Francesco Riganti (Federzeichnungen)

The Fathers of the Church, deeply-rooted in the Scriptures, have left us a rich treasure as inheritance, not only of texts, but also of manners, forms and gestures of prayer. Today, western Christianity in a special way, needs to rediscover the intimate union which must exist—in prayer just as in any aspect of Christian life—between theory and practice, between contemplation and practical exercise. One learns how to pray by praying, and the whole of our being is called to participate in this work: the mind, the heart, but also the body, the gaze, the senses. Fr. Gabriel Bunge, a hermit with great spiritual discernment and profound knowledge of the Fathers of the desert, presents with masterly coherence this important unity between what one believes and what one expresses in the practice of prayer: a fascinating rediscovery of the valuable treasure contained in the teachings of the Church Fathers on the practice of personal prayer.

Genres: Prayer, Theology, Spirituality, Religion, Christian, Christianity, Catholic

190 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Update: I have been told that since this book was written Fr Bunge converted to Orthodoxy.**

Absolutely amazing! If there were a handbook for prayer that was handed out at baptism this should be it. The author clearly understands and loves prayer, and this shows through on every page.

Some of the things in this book, especially the portions regarding the proper outward forms of prayer will no doubt be surprising or even scandalizing to some modern readers, especially those who would decry the idea of traditions of any sort. Nonetheless, the care and love that is evident on every page should convince all but the most hard-hearted that there is something of value in Fr Bunge's writings.

As a secondary item, as an Orthodox Christian I was pleased that in several places Fr Bunge took the time out to refer the reader to the Orthodox tradition for examples of a current living practice that dated back to antiquity. Too often Western writers will introduce an ancient practice (ancient, but currently living practice in the Orthodox Church) as though it is a newly discovered nugget of wisdom. I am happy that Fr Bunge took the time to point that out, and those little tidbits made it even more enjoyable for me.

If you want to know more about the ancient and venerable tradition of prayer in the Christian Church, then look no further. Fr Bunge has done an excellent job and I highly, highly recommend this book!

[Kevin W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some helpful insights. It’s worth noting that this author has recently converted to Eastern Orthodoxy. The content of this book mostly focuses on Eastern Fathers and tends to critique the modern Western Church. I think there’s a lot we can learn in the West from the Eastern Church, but I didn’t expect this book to lean so heavily to one side at the expense of the other.

[Zachary Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practice and Theory

I have an Evangelical background, and so I am a relative newcomer to the language of prayer that Fr. Gabriel Bunge outlines here. The emphasis on understanding and sound practice, grounded in the writings of the Church Fathers and the Holy Bible, is the lesson on prayer that many of us never had. It is essential reading for anyone with even a passing interest in Church history and disciplined prayer.

[Adrian Fritzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will teach you how to pray in an authentic way. It is worth reading if you want to start praying or if you want to begin praying again. For those who are seeking how to keep their spiritual life from going dry this is your book!

[Devin Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on prayer that is built on patristic and early Christian tradition. Bunge did a great job giving an introduction to prayer and categorizing practices of prayer into the various chapters that make it an easy and enjoyable read. I highly recommend.

[Ethan DeCock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel Bunge is fully immersed in the Fathers of the Church. If you want to know how to pray, what to pray, where to pray, when you pray according to the Holy Fathers, this is your book.

[Steve Coombs · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a while it seems like he's only ever going to reference Evagrius...and he does do that a lot. But thankfully he eventually brought in other Fathers as well.

[Andreas Jongeneel]

Een boek dat zaken op orde stelt en de valse tegenstelling tussen innerlijk en uiterlijk verantwoordelijk stelt voor het verdampen van het geloof in het Westen. Praktisch en theoretisch(comtemplatief) liggen in elkaars verlengde, de eerste heeft de laatste als horizon. Aan de hand van dit principe geeft Bunge een aantal praktische voorbeelden uit de geschiedenis van de woestijn- en kerkvaders waarin blijkt dat hun praktisch gebedsleven een vormgeving is van de inhoud van het christelijke geloof zoals dat in de Vroege Kerk al bestond.

Verfrissend om te lezen, je komt niet vaak schrijvers tegen die geen tegenstelling zien tussen vorm en inhoud. Daarentegen is het wel weer slikken als een paar keer een synergisme om de hoek komt kijken waarin de mens samenwerkt met goddelijke genade om zijn eigen heiligmaking en vernieuwing van denken te bewerkstelligen. Omdat dit punt op de achtergrond fungeert is dit niet helemaal duidelijk te maken hoe dit precies zit, of dat dit ook zo wordt bedoelt, uit het stuk over gebed blijkt namelijk dat er gehint wordt dat alle begrip geopenbaard moet worden(p. 46).

In ieder geval genoeg stof om over na te denken, al is het alleen al om de vormgeving van gebed in het dagelijks leven.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book on personal prayer.Explains very profound ideas in a very clear way. This is a keeper. I would also add that I had never considered outward forms, such as facing East as important. This book has helped me understand some of the rituals that we have forgotten along the way.

[Matthew Burden · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know why you ought to be facing east when you pray, read this book. It's interesting, insightful, and gives a different take on the methodology of prayer than evangelicals like me usually get.

[Joseph Raborg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a great overview of the prayer practices of the Early Church Fathers and insights into these practices. The text is very simple and straightforward, and I can't but recommend it to anyone wishing to improve their own prayer life.

[David Gersten · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to improve your prayer and understand patristics, read and live this book. The drawings alone are outstanding and greatly aid comprehension.

[Trey Peery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be protestant but my goodness is this an excellent book on prayer deeply rooted in the patristic and monastic tradition.