Letter to Marcellinus on the Psalms

A Classic of Ancient Christian Spirituality. In this letter to a friend, Athanasius of Alexandria (ca. 298-373) offers spiritual guidance on how to read the psalms. Athanasius believed that the Psalms were divinely inspired, which is why they are so helpful to the human soul. He describes the Psalter as a choice garden filled with a variety of fruit for the soul-all of which feed the human condition. The Psalms speak to the whole range of human emotion-- anger, fear, desire, and happiness--offering insight into the movements of the heart like a mirror to the soul. With guidance the Psalms not only provide insight into inner life, they also provide what we need to say or do in order to bring healing to our souls.

About the Author
Elowsky, Joel C.: - Joel Elowsky, (Ph.D. Drew University) is a professor of Historical Theology and coordinator of the International Seminary Exchange Programs at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He is the director of the Seminary's Center for the Study of Early Christian Texts. He is the author/editor of over a half dozen books, including a two-volume Commentary on the Gospel of John (ACCS), a volume on the Holy Spirit entitled We Believe in the Holy Spirit as part of the Ancient Christian Doctrine series, a new English translation of the Encyclopedia of the Early Church, edited by Angelo Di Berardino, published by InterVarsity Press. He has also contributed chapters to other books as well as numerous articles and reviews.