The Story of Monasticism: Retrieving an Ancient Tradition for Contemporary Spirituality

by Greg Peters

Overview

Some evangelicals perceive monasticism as a relic from the past, a retreat from the world, or a shirking of the call to the Great Commission. At the same time, contemporary evangelical spirituality desires historical Christian manifestations of the faith. In this accessibly written book Greg Peters, an expert in monastic studies who is a Benedictine oblate and spiritual director, offers a historical survey of monasticism from its origins to current manifestations. Peters recovers the riches of the monastic tradition for contemporary spiritual formation and devotional practice, explaining why the monastic impulse is a valid and necessary manifestation of the Christian faith for today's church.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801048913
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/18/2015
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	1,014,555
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Greg Peters (PhD, University of St. Michael's College, Toronto) is associate professor of medieval and spiritual theology in the Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University, in La Mirada, California. He is also visiting professor of monastic studies at St. John's School of Theology in Minnesota and adjunct professor at Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin.

Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction: The Monastic Impulse
Part I: Anthony to Benedict
1. The Origins of Christian Monasticism
2. Of Anchorites and Cenobites
3. The Rule
Part II: Benedict to Bernard
4. The Flowering of Benedictine Monasticism
5. Other Voices: Celtic, Frankish, and Eastern Monasticism
6. Challenges of Christendom
7. The Road to Reform
Part III: Bernard to Luther
8. The Cistercians, Carthusians, and Other Reforming Orders
9. Regular Canons, Hospitallers, and the Military Orders
10. The Friars
11. Decline or Development? Lay Piety and Religious Life in the Late Medieval Era
Part IV: Luther to Merton
12. The Reformers and Counter-Reformers
13. Protestants and Monasticism after the Reformation
14. Continuing Roman Catholic Monastic Practice
Epilogue: Monasticism Today and Tomorrow

Editorial Reviews

07/06/2015
In this study of Christian monasticism, Peters (Reforming the Monastery) argues that the monastic impulse has always been part of the church, and it continues to motivate reformers and clerics today. In pursuit of his thesis, he explores the institutional use of monasticism as “recovery of the past in order to give fresh expression to contemporary faith.” He employs the term ressourcement to define this use of the past. Beginning with the Qumran communities in early Judea and touching on nearly every era of Christian history, the author demonstrates how monastics have given the church a rich legacy of spiritual teaching and practice, and how the church, in its effort to confront contemporary societies, has drawn on that legacy. Peters presents an esoteric but compelling study of the uses of the past in reforming the future. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly