ISBN The Story of Monasticism (Retrieving an Ancient Tradition for Contemporary Spirituality) book English Paperback 288 pages

Some evangelicals perceive monasticism as a relic from the past or a retreat from the world, or they reject it as an aberration in Protestant circles. At the same time, contemporary evangelical spirituality desires historical Christian manifestations of the faith. In this accessibly written book, an expert in monastic studies offers a historical survey of monasticism from its origins to current manifestations. Greg 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. Professors and students in Christian history and Christian spirituality classes will value this work, as will readers interested in evangelical spiritual formation.ContentsIntroduction: The Monastic ImpulsePart I: Anthony to Benedict1. The Origins of Christian Monasticism2. Of Anchorites and Cenobites3. The RulePart II: Benedict to Bernard4. The Flowering of Benedictine Monasticism5. Other Voices: Celtic, Frankish, and Eastern Monasticism6. Challenges of Christendom7. The Road to ReformPart III: Bernard to Luther8. The Cistercians, Carthusians, and Other Reforming Orders9. Regular Canons, Hospitallers, and the Military Orders10. The Friars11. Decline or Development? Lay Piety and Religious Life in the Late Medieval EraPart IV: Luther to Merton12. The Reformers and Counter-Reformers13. Protestants and Monasticism after the Reformation14. Continuing Roman Catholic Monastic PracticeEpilogue: Monasticism Today and Tomorrow