Hi, we’re Modern Saints, and our mission is simple: to bring ancient Christian wisdom into the modern world.
That's why we take the most influential Christian books ever written—from Augustine to Bunyan—and meticulously translate them into clear, contemporary English and Spanish.
Our goal is to help a new generation rediscover the texts that have shaped the Church for centuries.
Our Mission
A quick hello from Peter, founder of Modern Saints.
The Problem We Solve
The classics are powerful. They’re wise. They’re foundational.
But when we open them today, the archaic language and unfamiliar style can make the message feel distant.
The message isn’t the problem. The format is.
At Modern Saints, we believe you shouldn’t need a dictionary to decode the beauty and truth inside these books.
Our work is to remove the barriers, so readers can meet the message.
The Spark Behind Modern Saints
Our story began ten years ago with a simple apology.
A friend returned one of my favorite classics and said, “Sorry… I wanted to read it, but I just couldn’t get into it.”
In that moment, I realized the issue wasn’t his interest — it was the book’s accessibility.
This led to our core question: What if these ancient masterpieces could be made to feel new again? What if modern language and beautiful design could make them genuinely inviting, without sacrificing the integrity of the original text?
That question became the seed that grew into Modern Saints.
The Modern Saints Series
Years of dedication have brought our vision to life.
Today, Modern Saints publishes a growing library of essential Christian classics that are:
Easy to read: No more struggling with antiquated language.
Beautifully designed: Presented with a clean, modern aesthetic.
Faithful to the original: The author's intended message remains intact.
We also offer Spanish editions for several of our titles, opening the door for timeless wisdom to reach even more readers worldwide.
Meet the Team
Hi, we’re Peter and Marlee Northcutt, the husband and wife duo behind Modern Saints.
I’m Peter—a former English teacher and youth pastor turned full-time wordsmith. I bring the Modern Saints books to life in clear, modern English.
My wife, Marlee, is a Spanish professor and resident grammar genius. She takes my English translations and beautifully adapts them into Spanish, helping our books reach a wider community of readers.
FAQs
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Our books are not watered-down paraphrases or summaries. Clarity, not simplification, is our goal. We follow the structure and meaning of the original text line by line, ensuring the author’s true voice is as accessible and accurate as possible.
When a passage needs context to make sense, we add a brief sidenote explaining an outdated reference or cultural detail.
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Our first priority is faithfulness to the original. For each classic, we begin by identifying the most trusted public-domain English translations, studying them side-by-side, and noting where they agree or differ.
From there, we craft a modern English translation, line by line, replacing outdated phrasing with clear, contemporary language while preserving the author’s intent.
When translations disagree, we rely on the strongest scholarly consensus and reputable commentaries to guide our wording.
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Both. Our translations are clear and accessible for everyday Christians, yet faithful and precise enough for students, pastors, and teachers.
Many of our books include helpful sidenotes that introduce key concepts, historical context, and important terms, making them a great entry point into Christian history and theology.
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We want the Modern Saints Series to reflect the breadth and beauty of Christianity across time and tradition. We look for books that have shaped believers for centuries—works that are historically influential, spiritually rich, and globally significant.
We also invite our email subscribers to help guide our future projects. If you’d like a voice in what we translate next, be sure to join our email list.
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It depends on what you're hoping to explore. To make it easy, we’ve organized our books by theme and tradition on the Books page, so you can quickly find the one that best fits your interests.
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Absolutely. Many churches, small groups, and schools use our books to study the classics and spark discussion in community. We also offer discussion guides for several titles to help guide conversations.
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Yes! We offer a 25% discount on bulk orders of 25 copies or more for any book in the series. To begin an order, simply email us at hello@modernsaints.com.
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Each Modern Saints book is supported by a team of early readers who receive a free preview of the ebook and commit to leaving an honest review on Amazon when the book launches. These early reviews play a huge role in helping new readers discover our work.
If you’d like to join the team, simply subscribe to our email list and watch for the next Launch Team invitation.
Join the community.
A growing number of readers are rediscovering timeless Christian wisdom through Modern Saints.
Subscribe to our emails and be the first to hear about upcoming releases, launch opportunities, and new resources designed to deepen your faith.
Explore Our Books
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![A person holding a book titled 'Confessions: a modern translation' by St. Augustine, featuring a green pear with a bite taken out on the cover, near a window.]()
Confessions
St. Augustine’s honest, unfiltered account of love, longing, struggle, and unexpected grace.
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![Book titled 'The Imitation of Christ' by Thomas à Kempis, translated by Peter Northcutt, placed on a dark wooden surface.]()
The Imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis' classic devotional on humble discipleship, guiding you to align your life with the heart of Christ.
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![Person holding a book titled 'The Practice of the Presence of God' by Brother Lawrence, translated by Peter Northcutt.]()
The Practice of the Presence of God
Brother Lawrence’s short guide to simple spirituality, helping you live every moment in God’s presence.
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![Book titled "The Pilgrim's Progress" by John Bunyan on top of a gray notebook and a brown folder, with a black pen resting on the notebook, all placed on a wooden surface.]()
The Pilgrim's Progress
An exciting take on John Bunyan’s adventurous allegory, inspiring you to journey boldly toward a life with God.
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![On the Incarnation]()
On the Incarnation
St. Athanasius’ profound exploration of the mystery of Christ, revealing the transformative power of the Incarnation.
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![A person holds a book titled "The Interior Castle" by St. Teresa of Avila, with a golden key resting on the cover.]()
The Interior Castle
St. Teresa of Avila’s spiritual masterpiece, guiding you on a journey to deeper intimacy with God within the soul's many chambers.
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![Book titled 'Orthodoxy' by G.K. Chesterton with a gold apple on the cover, placed on a glass table next to a wooden surface.]()
Orthodoxy
G.K. Chesterton’s whimsical defense of the Christian faith, inviting you to embrace the wonder and truth of orthodoxy.
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![A book titled "Dark Night of the Soul" by St. John of the Cross, translated by Peter Northcutt, is placed on a gray textured fabric surface.]()
Dark Night of the Soul
St. John of the Cross’ profound guide to spiritual transformation, leading you through the trials of faith into the light of divine union.
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![Person holding a book titled 'The Rule of St. Benedict a modern translation' by St. Benedict, with an illustration of a stained-glass window on the cover, on a green upholstered surface.]()
The Rule of St. Benedict
St. Benedict’s timeless guide to monastic life, inviting you to shape your life around the rhythms of prayer, work, and community.
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![Book titled 'The Way of a Pilgrim' on a shelf, with a prayer rope in front.]()
The Way of a Pilgrim
The unforgettable journey of a pilgrim who longs to “pray without ceasing.”
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![Front cover of a book titled "La Práctica de la Presencia de Dios" by El Hermano Lorenzo, translated by Dr. Marlee Northcutt, published by Modern Saints.]()
La práctica de la presencia de Dios
Experience Brother Lawrence’s sage wisdom in this new Spanish translation!
Join the journey @ModernSaintsBooks
