Ask of Old Paths

and lt;emand gt;Ask of Old Pathsand lt;/emand gt; retrieves more than the language of virtue and vice–it turns to Christian history to recover a robust theology of a whole and holy human life. Grace Hamman offers us a rare treasure–rich theology and history presented in an engaging and accessible manner for the sake of actual human lives. This is a book that will not only teach you about the virtues and vices but also inspire you to deeper thought and greater faithfulness. * Kaitlyn Schiess, author of The Ballot and the Bible and cohost of the Holy Post *A wise and beautiful work of scholarship and devotion. Grace Hamman brings her immense knowledge of the medieval world to her exploration of the virtues and has created a work that both grips the imagination and stirs the heart. This book will be a resource and inspiration for years to come. * Sarah Clarkson, author of Reclaiming Quiet and This Beautiful Truth *In and lt;emand gt;Ask of Old Pathsand lt;/emand gt;, Grace Hamman offers readers a bountiful gift, retrieving ancient wisdom for modern-day believers and seekers. Equipped with the insights of a scholar and the humility of a fellow pilgrim, Hamman guides readers on the path of virtue toward a flourishing life in and with Christ. Readers willing to take this journey will be challenged, relieved, and ultimately transformed. * Rev. Claude Atcho, pastor of Church of the Resurrection (Charlottesville, VA) and author of Rhythms of Faith and Reading Black Books *In our current age, talking about vices and virtues may seem out of place, even weird. But Grace Hamman notes how the omnipresent vibrancy of a value-imbued medieval vocabulary challenges the modern reader to consider how deadened our language, and so our identity, has become by the emptiness of communication void of moral power. Hamman harkens back to the wisdom of a time in which the values of language reflected real habits and dispositions. In doing so, she calls for the rehabilitation of our own current language of the virtues so that we may pay more careful attention to our humanity made in the image of God. With her timely, beautiful, and compelling book, Hamman reminds us of a tried and telling truth: ‘Virtues are the fruit of well-ordered love.’ Indeed. * Dr. Carolyn Weber, professor at New College Franklin and award-winning author of Sex and the City of God, and Surprised by Oxford, now a feature film *In this thoroughly researched and wonderfully written gem of a book, Grace Hamman recovers wisdom from a time before modernity’s assault on the garden of the soul. In and lt;emand gt;Ask of Old Pathsand lt;/emand gt;, we really do find ‘something a little wild and beautiful.’ I love this book! * Brian Zahnd, author of The Wood Between the Worlds *With obvious delight and exquisite clarity, Grace Hamman guides us through the medieval garden of the soul, identifying both the strangling weeds of the seven capital vices and the fragrant, lush virtues we can cultivate as remedies. Under her tutelage, medieval Christianity becomes a rich resource instead of an intimidating pile of dusty manuscripts or bizarre images. Hamman gently reintroduces us to the language of virtues, helping us recognize the wisdom that remains present in words and ideas that may seem old-fashioned or even oppressive. The book is an invitation to wholeness, walking old paths to meet the challenges of our present lives. * Dr. Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt, author of Redeeming Vision and professor at Covenant College *

Grace Hamman, Ph.D. (Duke University) is a writer and independent scholar of late medieval poetry and contemplative writing. Her work has been published by academic and popular outlets, including Plough Quarterly and The Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies. Grace hosts a podcast called Old Books with Grace which celebrates the beauty and joy found in reading the literature and theology of the past. She lives near Denver, Colorado with her husband and three young children.