Rediscovering the Church Fathers: Who They Were and How They Shaped the Church by Michael A.G. Haykin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
There is a wrong way to read this book, and that is to read it as a collection of biographical sketches. Instead, it should be read as a collection of lessons pertaining to specific points of orthodoxy as they were understood and taught by church fathers. This structure works well if you identify it before you read – which I did not. Accordingly, extra care should be taken to determine the thesis of each chapter ahead of reading. While the theses are clearly stated they are not necessarily conspicuous if you are not looking for them.
Haykin’s mastery of the subject-matter is clearly demonstrated in how he is able to teach church history while edifying the Christian at the same time. While this book is not a “page-turner,” it is exceedingly readable for someone who is “rediscovering” (or even discovering, as I was) the Church fathers. It works well as a true introduction to patristics.
