The Ways of Life and Death

The Ways of Life and Death is Orthodox Classical’s debut publication. This 391 page book weaves primary source material about the ancient church’s beliefs, values, and practices into a fabric to reveal ancient Christian spirituality. The theme of the book is encapsulated in the opening sentence of the ancient Didache: “There are two Ways, one of Life and one of Death, and there is a great difference between the two Ways.” God is life, and God living and reigning within us is life, while bondage to sin is spiritual death. The ancient church developed their inner spiritual life through practices such as personal faith, humility, repentance, renunciation of the world, selfless compassion, non-judgment of others, and prayer. They transformed their passions, transforming the appetitive passion into spiritual desire, the incensive passion into love and compassion, and the intellective passion into an experience of the true God.