The Secret Seminary: Prayer and the Study of Theology Paperback – April 28, 2012

This is a seminal work for all people of faith. Though written by a priest of the Greek Orthodox Church, his wide range of experiences with Christian and non-Christian believers illustrates a universal perspective on the notion of faith and prayer. Written in an easy to read, even entertaining style (there is even a chapter entitled "Holy Hilarity"), it is neverthesless a profound analysis of a life lived in the awareness and presence of God. Early Christian "desert fathers and mothers" are shown as eloquent models of such faith and practice, coupled with the author's own rich experience with teachers who have lived in this lifetime and who exemplify the ancient tradition of teaching theology by their living example. It is an excellent source book, mandatory reading some would day, for those seeking a vocation of service to God. It is also a fine guidebook to any believer who seeks to deepen his or her relatioship to God and His creation. It is highly recomended.

In this book, Father Brendan Pelphrey has given us the great gift of tracing the Holy Tradition of the desert fathers and mothers throughout his life...In doing so, he shows us how to live out this tradition in our own lives (while simultaneously making clear the almost complete and total absence of this tradition in Western seminaries).Father Brendan reveals that the liturgical life of the Church is the most important means of preserving and transmitting apostolic Tradition over the centuries. His vignettes of Elder Dionysios at Kykkos monastery on Cyprus and Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos in America are the priceless pearls in a book of so many treasures. And his many concrete examples of how to live a life of obedience, silence, work, martyrdom, and humor will have a profound effect on the thought and practice of all seekers who approach with open mind and heart.

Several years ago I worked at a seminary, and witnessed first hand the flaws of seminary education. People graduate, their heads full of knowledge, but their hearts unchanged. They take from seminary the idea that Christianity is all about what you know and how much you know, as though knowledge equals salvation equals sanctification. But there exists another model, one that sometimes exists within or alongside academia, but most often outside of it -- a model where the inner transformation of the heart takes precedence over academic performance. This model emphasizes prayer; prayer leads to the fruits of the spirit; and the fruits of the spirit create people who can lead their flock into the kingdom of heaven.

attempting to keep it simplethe first approx. third of the book was an endurance test in reading and gets the author maybe negative 4 stars, the middle of the book? wowie zowie, a zillion of stars for having a beautiful conversation about God and man.it is quiet elegant.that being said: I found myself hoping he would consider publishing that middle section alone under a different title, because the material covered was sublime.. Huge appreciation for that amazing Grace. Reading it was like getting a blessing. WOW. Glory to God

Rich in wisdom. Priceless truths are explained that will enlighten the reader. Pragmatic and wonderful.

So much has happened to the institutional Christian religions of the past 1500 years that they bear little resemblance to the origin. Reading what true Christianity was - and still can be - was an inspiration. Those seeking knowledge and meaning in Asian religions and philosophy will be especially surprised at what is already present in Christianity, but ignored. But besides the scholarship, the book is a "how to..." guide to living like Christ wanted us to, a practical guide. Highly recommended.