apostolic fathers

For my next desert island bookshelf pick, I would grab my small two volume verison of the Apostolic Fathers (Loeb Edition). These letters have been invaluable for me when I think about the secondary and tertiary ripples of the impact of the incarnation. Somehow, yes, we can understand the first ripple of the "Yes" to Christ that Peter gives or even the awe inspiring conversion of Paul. But, for the second and third ripple of those who did not know Jesus but knew Mark. Here in the Apostolic Fathers (vol. I and vol. II), we see how the good news hits the fan.

My favorite is Ignatius of Antioch:

"I prefer death in Christ Jesus to power over the farthest limits of the earth. He who died in place of us is the one object of my quest. He who rose for our sakes is my one desire."

As I'm seeking coconuts on my desert island, I'll have one of these pretty volumes in my frayed cargo shorts pocket.

summa

Continuing in my series of the Desert Island Bookshelf, I'd like to add another.

If I'm shipwrecked I'll make sure, of course, to have a bookshelf. And on that bookshelf will be my Summa Theologiae by Thomas Aquinas.

My undergraduate education gave me much time with this masterwork and when I began to pursue my graduate work I bought one of those expensive copies that I could read cover to cover. Just like Thomas did not finish writing it, I feel perfectly happy that I have not yet finished reading it. And yet, along with my daily Bible study, I try to read an article a day because as they say, an article a day keeps the metaphysical doctor away. I find Thomas' vision of God dynamic, provident, and intelligent. Alles ist Ordnung. And my Christian faith and metaphyscially-oriented humanity needs that sustaining meal. Somehow, I'm more who I should be as a theologian and as a Christian when I'm near my Summa.

As a side note, in graduate school, my theological friends and I began a group called the Summa Wrestlers. We would meet once a week to read and discuss one question. We got quite far and we were the better for it. If I were on a desert island, I would be Summa wrestling.