These essays represent the full range of Dodds' literary and philosophical interests, and his ability to combine profound scholarship with the lucid humanity of a teacher convinced of the value of Greek studies to the modern world.

The book deals with the history of the monastic community in the region of Gaza in Late antiquity. It examines the monastic career and teachings of central figures such as Abba Isaiah, Peter the Iberian, Barsanuphius and John, and Dorotheus. The social, religious and material aspects of this community are discussed in comparison with other contemporary monastic centers.

Donald Wiebe critically examines the pervasive assumption that theology is a form of religious thought that is both compatible with and supportive of religious faith. The irony, he argues, is that theology is in fact detrimental to religion and the religious way of life.