Headings on Spiritual Knowledge: The Second Part, Chapters 1-3

Popular Patristics Series #63

by Isaac of Nineveh, Sebastian Brock (Translator)

St Isaac of Nineveh (7th c.), or Isaac the Syrian, is renowned for his spiritual writings. After only five months as bishop of Nineveh, he returned to a life of solitary stillness in the desert of modern-day Iran. His Spiritual Homilies (homilies 1–6 in PPS 11) quickly became treasured throughout the Christian world, not only inspiring monastic and spiritual life through the ages, but influencing culture more broadly, as in the works of Dostoevsky.

Yet many of Isaac’s works were lost for centuries. Scholars recently rediscovered the “Second Part” of his corpus in 1983. This volume translates the first three chapters of the Second Part, whose third chapter contains the Kephalaia Gnostika (or Headings on Spiritual Knowledge). They appear here for the first time in a complete English translation. Inspired by Evagrius’ work by the same name, Isaac composed the Headings as four centuries—that is, four sets of one hundred sayings or headings—on the spiritual life. These were “written above the lines in various places,” seemingly as a commentary or expansion upon the Spiritual Homilies (the “First Part”). Isaac discloses the realities of prayer and spiritual experience from their beginning to their most sublime heights and profound depths.

261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2022

About the author

See also إسحاق النينوي for Arabic profile, and Ισαάκ της Νινευή for Greek profile.

Isaac of Nineveh (Arabic: إسحاق النينوي Ishak al-Naynuwa Greek: Ισαάκ της Νινευή died c. 700) also remembered as Isaac the Assyrian, Abba Isaac and Isaac Syrus was a 7th-century bishop and theologian best remembered for his written work. He is also regarded as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church and in the Catholic Church. His feast day falls on January 28.

Reviews

[Carson Harraman · Rating 3 out of 5]

For research on patristic universalism. Seems like a direct line of transmission from Origen to Evagrius to Isaac

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

In general, I like St Isaac's writings. For some reason I liked THE ASCETICAL WORKS, a lot more than this one. This one struck me as a bit more 'philosophical' and also had more descriptions of various stages or parts of the soul or prayer or the mind, so it seemed more Hellenized to me. Still there were gems of thought in the book, it just seemed to me I had to read more to get to them.

[Ephrem Arcement · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is insight that only comes from mind, heart, and spirit fully engaged and open.

[Trey Henry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book may be great for monastics, but it is not overly pertinent to the average layman. This is one of the first Patristic works I have not liked very much, and I found it overall pretty boring: sorry Saint Isaac.

[Lukas Stock · Rating 3 out of 5]

“My brothers, the time of our lives is short, while our craft is long and difficult, but the Good that is promised to us is ineffable.” Heading 3.62