Church History The Monastic Church © John Stevenson, 2016

What was the rationale for the formation of the monastic movement?

Mark 10:17 And as He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and began asking Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Mark 10:18-19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”

Mark 10:20 And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”

Mark 10:21-22 And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But at these words his face fell, and he went away grieved, for he was one who owned much property.

Did Jesus live a monastic life?

Luke 9:57-58 And as they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

St Anthony Christian in Egypt 251 - 356 Christian in Egypt Heard a sermon on Christ’s words to the rich young ruler: “Go and sell all your possessions and follow me.” Gave away his possessions and moved into the desert, living the life of a hermit

St Anthony 251 - 356 He worked, however, with his hands, having heard, ‘he who is idle let him not eat,’ and part he spent on bread and part he gave to the needy. And he was constant in prayer, knowing that a man ought to pray in secret unceasingly (Athanasius, Life of St Anthony).

St Anthony Then forgetful of eating, he remained the rest of the day and through the whole of the night groaning and praying. For he was astonished when he saw against what mighty opponents our wrestling is, and by what labors we have to pass through the air. And he remembered that this is what the Apostle said, ‘according to the prince of the power of the air’ (Athanasius, Life of Anthony)

St Anthony “Learn to love humility, for it will cover all your sins.  All sins are repulsive before God, but the most repulsive of all is pride of the heart.  Do not consider yourself learned and wise; otherwise, all your efforts will be destroyed, and your boat will reach the harbor empty.” 

Removed himself to the top of a pillar in Syria Simeon Stylites 390-459 Removed himself to the top of a pillar in Syria

What are some of the Biblical pros and cons of a solitary monastic lifestyle?

Pachomius 292-348 Born in Thebes Forcibly inducted into military Converted to Christianity Followed example of Anthony Organized nine groups of both male and female monasteries

Monasticism in the West Monasticism in the East Communal living, but usually within some proximity to civilization Desert living; sometimes in community and sometimes alone Emphasis on reaching out to culture Emphasis on escaping culture

St Catherine's Monastery

St Catherine's Monastery

St Catherine's Monastery

St Catherine's Monastery

Benedict of Nursia 480-542 Ran away to live in a cave at the age of 14. Established a monastery at Monte Cassino Rule of St. Benedict

Rule of St. Benedict Regulations for communal monks Lists Christian duties Recommends moderation in speech Hours of the meal Quality and quantity of food regulated

Rule of St. Benedict Idleness is the enemy of the soul. And therefore, at fixed times, the brothers ought to be occupied in manual labor; and again, at fixed times, in sacred reading (Documents of the Christian Church, P.133).

Rule of St. Benedict The brothers shall wait on each other in turn so that no one shall be excused from the kitchen-work, unless he be prevented by sickness, or by preoccupation with some matter of great necessity… (Documents of the Christian Church, P.132).

Rule of St. Benedict Let not the younger brothers have beds by themselves, but dispersed among the seniors. And when they rise for the service of God let them gently encourage one another, because the sleepy ones are apt to make excuses (Documents of the Christian Church, P.129).

What are some of the Biblical pros and cons of a communal monastic lifestyle?

What sort of lifestyle changes were necessary for one to become a monk?

How did the monastic movement contribute to the Church and society?

Matera

Montserrat Monastery

Montserrat Monastery Outside Barcelona, Spain Established in 1025 Benedictine Montserrat Monastery

Montserrat Monastery

Monastery of St John Patmos

Monastery of St John Patmos

Monastery of St John Patmos

Monastery of St John Patmos

Qumran

Qumran

Qumran

Qumran

Celibacy Old Testament Biblical Teachings Jesus: Eunuchs for the kingdom (Mt 19:12). Paul: Call to remain single (1 Cor 7). Gnosticism: Physical/spiritual dualism Council of Nicea: Once a priest was ordained, he could not marry. Pope Gregory the Great: All sexual desire is inherently sinful.

Celibacy Ambrose & Jerome There was no sexual activity in Eden; this came about as a result of the fall.

Celibacy In Eden, it would have been possible to beget offspring without foul lust. The sexual organs would have been stimulated into necessary activity by will-power alone, just as the will controls other organs (Augustine City of God, Bk. 14, chp. 26).