The Ancient Path by John Michael Talbot

This book is co-written by John Michael Talbot and Mike Aquilina. John Michael Talbot is the best-selling author of THE LESSONS OF ST. FRANCIS, a spiritual classic. Talbot is one of the contemporary Christian music artists who founded this form of music. He has sold millions of copies of his records and has won Dove and Grammy Awards. He often tours. He has founded the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, a monastic community. His co-author, Mike Aquilina, appears often on EWTN and has written books such as ANGELS OF GOD and THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH. THE ANCIENT PATH begins with a foreword about the purpose of this book, which is written through Image, a Roman Catholic publishing company, written by Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington. The authors begin this book with a preface. Most of the chapters discuss the Roman Catholic Church Fathers and include stories of how they have, from Talbot's childhood to present, affected his Catholic faith journey. He also includes principles from Catholic teachings. The final chapter focuses on the Virgin Mary and is short, like the foreword and preface are. The authors end with a timeline of events deemed significant in Roman Catholic history. This book ends with notes from each chapter that involve outside research.

I thought that this book's author would discuss Church Fathers such as Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley, Dwight Moody, and others. Yes, Augustine is mentioned. The authors discuss the Catholic Church Fathers, most who I am not familiar with as I'm not from a Catholic background. I had once been a fan of early contemporary Christian music and I often heard John Michael Talbot's songs on the air. He had been called a "troubadour for Christ." I have not heard his songs in for many years but I remember that these songs were thoughtful and reverent. I was surprised that he had once been in the "Jesus Movement" and had left it to join the Roman Catholic Church. This book is easy to read and understand, even if you are not a Roman Catholic, which I'm not. But Roman Catholics seem to be his target readership. From a literary standpoint, the primary author, Talbot, does a great job of merging the effect of the Catholic Church Fathers on Talbot with stories of his own faith story, both as a member of the Jesus Movement and then as a Roman Catholic. But not being Catholic, I have a very different understanding of what the Eucharist means from what it means to Talbot, the primary author. It is clear that he does read Scripture and quotes from it in this book. Also, he affirms Jesus' Deity and humanity. So he seems to remain influenced by sound teaching handed down to him in the Jesus Movement that concern Who Jesus is. Talbot spoke of his devotion to the "ascetic life" and to a life of charity. In my opinion, the author is an example of how individual Roman Catholics can stay in a legalistic religion and trust in Christ alone for their salvation. As a non-Catholic, I read all the Catholic principles and teachings with respect and understanding, even without a mental "Amen!" to them.

I recommend this book to those who are fans of John Michael Talbot, his writings or his music. I recommend this book to anyone who is curious about what Roman Catholics believe and what motivates them. I recommend this book to those who are interested in the Roman Catholic Church Fathers. But I'm aware that many people may find this book, being a Roman Catholic book, as triggering. This book is obviously not for those who have been abused by priests or nuns as children. I recommend this book to any Christian, as long as they check its Roman Catholic teachings and principles with that of Scripture.

I received this book free of charge from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a positive review of this book.

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