Sloth, envy, gluttony, greed, anger, lust, and pride: when and how were they first identified? Who grouped them together? Can we truly resist their pull? Renowned theologian Lawrence Cunningham explores these questions and others in his book, The Seven Deadly Sins: A Visitor's Guide.

Cunningham traces the roots of the seven deadly sins to the mystic experiences of the desert fathers, who—in total solitude—experienced and identified these corrupt inner desires as forces that twist us away from God. He offers examples and insights from scripture, Christian tradition, and modern life, helping readers meet each of the seven deadly sins with a corresponding virtue.