Ancient Paths: Discover Christian Formation the Benedictine Way

by David Robinson

The classic path for growing a Christian community. This innovative guide to Christian formation offers an ancient-yet-contemporary approach to growth in Christ. Providing practical guidance for pastors and lay leaders in the local congregation and help for home groups, house churches, and small groups, Ancient Paths will show you the way that has formed millions of Christians over the last 1,500 years. A 12-week study guide is included. "I highly recommend David Robinson's Ancient Paths . Robinson's pastoral heart is evident as he carefully peels back the layers of monastic wisdom--in practical and commonsense ways." –Laura Swan, OSB, author of Engaging Benedict

Genres: Christian, Spirituality, Devotional

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

David Robinson has lived most of his life in the clouds of the Pacific Northwest. Robinson lives on the north Oregon coast with his wife Trina. David retired after 40 years of pastoral ministry including 31 years as Lead Pastor of Cannon Beach Community Church. Robinson has written nine books Christian spirituality, all based upon Christian medieval classics, including: Cloud Devotion: Through the Year with The Cloud of Unknowing (Paraclete Press, Jan. 2020); The Sacred Art of Marriage (Cascade, 2016); Soul Mentoring (Cascade, 2015); Ancient Paths: Discover Christian Formation the Benedictine Way (Paraclete, 2010); The Busy Family’s Guide to Spirituality (Crossroad, 2009); The Christian Family Toolbox (Crossroad, 2001); and The Family Cloister (Crossroad, 2000; winner of a national book award with the Catholic Press Association for 'Best Family Book'). Robinson is married with three grown sons and three grandchildren. Robinson is a jazz pianist and lover of backpacking in places of wildness and beauty.

Reviews

[Becky Schommer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I certainly took some notes on this book and am thinking about better ways to consider spiritual formation within the local church. I didn’t feel like I got a lot of new or applicable insights though. (The book made efforts to help those of us outside of monastic experiences consider how to engage in the experience, but I get “stuck” in that attempt.) I appreciated the reminder that we can live by a common rule of life, though, and the nuggets of thought to help cultivate a rule for my own life and community.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explains the way the Rule of St. Benedict lays out the path to Christian formation. It is laid out for anyone to understand. The author explains how the Rule might be used outside of a monastery in a Christian's every day life. He also offers an example of how a church might make it's own Rule based on Benedict's Rule in order to help her congregants be intentional about formation. It was a very good read.

[Brooks Lemmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! Communal formation has been an obsession of mine and this book laid out Benedict’s approach to that endeavor. This book gives great insight for those who are interested in pastoring, church planting, formation, or monastic life! I check all 4 of those boxes so I guess that’s why I loved it! It also laid out a 3 year plan for developing a Rule of Life for a church congregation which was fun to need out over.

[Susy Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book that was read in my Benedictine Oblate group so we did a chapter a month. Spreading a book out like that is hard when it comes to writing and remembering my thoughts. In general I enjoys this book and it helped me to understand more and see why I’ve chosen to be an Oblate in my life.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to applying Benedictine wisdom both to everyday life and the life of a church by a Presbyterian pastor and Benedictine oblate. Robinson offers some good insights on what St. Benedict has to say to today's busy world, but he displays the very common discomfort endemic to Benedictine influenced Protestants. This is understandable because adopting Benedictine practices in a Protestant context can create a few bouts with theological bends. The very sacramentality of St. Benedict tends to be the attraction for most people in that Benedict teaches how to see everything, no matter how mundane, can display God's presence in the world. Yet, the Reformers reacted against this sacramentality, mostly because of the abuses which late mediaeval popular piety placed upon it. So, there is a profound distrust in Protestant circles to a sacramental understanding of the world. Yet, there is a hole left in Protestant thinking and practice which needs filling. Robinson tries to fill that, but one can sense a bit of defensiveness.

Robinson, also, offers suggestions to congregations on how to study the Benedictine way as well as work materials for individuals. I can't say I used these, but they looked reasonably helpful to get conversations started.

As a contribution to the small cottage industries which work to recall both the wisdom of the patristic church and, in particular, the Benedictine way, this is a sound contribution.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear description of Benedictine values and Christian formation. Handy chapter endings called, "Taking steps into Christian Formation" offer several different suggestions for practicing that particular value. Motivated me to book a silent retreat, simplify some areas of my life, read the Psalms daily, prayerfully, and journal.

[Richard Spilman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good Protestant appreciation of Benedictine monastic practice and its application to the modern church. One wants a little more of the author's intellect and passion to show through, but it is a good book.

[Roger Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary evangelical churches have much to learn from the Benedictine spiritual tradition.

[Candace Simar · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent book about integrating the Rule of Benedict into a protestant life.