"I have never met a Protestant theologian--evangelical or mainline--who speaks about monastics with as much competence and ease as Greg Peters. This book presents a well-documented, interesting, and enjoyable summary of the Christian monastic way of life and also describes the personal journey of a young Baptist-turned-Anglican minister following Christ's footsteps back to the apostolic church. It is an exceptional book and will be an eye-opener for both Protestants and Catholics, laity and clergy alike."  
\--__Fr. Abbot Denis Farkasfalvy__, University of Dallas; abbot emeritus of the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Dallas  
  
"This book accomplishes what it promises: to narrate the history of monasticism for those who are new to the topic and for those who already know something about it. Greg's writing is succinct without compromising thoroughness in a well-researched text that will be as useful for the classroom as it will be for the interested individual."  
\--__Dennis Okholm__, author of _Dangerous Passions, Deadly Sins: Learning from the Psychology of Ancient Monks_  
  
"Greg Peters sets out to convince his readers that the church has always had and has always needed a monastic witness. He begins by making the case that Christians have long seen the monastery--in all its various forms--as an essential element of our life, ministry, and witness. He then gently asks where this necessary countercultural witness is in our world today. Carefully researched, balanced, and irenic, this book seeks to affect the way we do church by uncovering resources from those who lived in intentional Christian communities."  
\--__James Wilhoit__, Wheaton College  
  
"Greg Peters has provided the evangelical community an invaluable service by laying before us a banquet of insight into the monastic impulse--the love for God, the desire for community, the draw toward a rule of life. Regardless of one's judgment of the value of various monastic movements and individuals, the reader cannot help but appreciate and learn from God's movement among these believers throughout church history."  
\--__John Coe__, Institute for Spiritual Formation, Talbot School of Theology and Rosemead School of Psychology

__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.

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.

This accessible history of monasticism recovers the riches of the monastic tradition for contemporary spiritual formation and devotional practice.

__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

\["For Christians seeking deeper spiritual traditions", "Provides insights into monasticism's relevance today", "You will enrich your faith through timeless practices"\]

Explore the rich history of monasticism for spiritual growth.

Peters, Greg

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction: The Monastic Impulse

Part I Antony 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

Bibliography

Index

Notes

Back Cover

This book offers a historical survey of monasticism, exploring its relevance for contemporary evangelical spirituality. Ideal for students and readers of Christian history and spirituality.

\["For evangelicals seeking deeper spiritual roots", "Addresses misconceptions about monasticism's value", "You will enrich your faith with historical insights"\]

This book explores monasticism and its relevance today.

This is a fantastic detailed look at the Monastic tradition from a protestant perspective and theologian, and it is really insightful and indeed quite unusual for this reason.

It covers monasticism as a whole but what you do not often get in other books on the subject is that he looks at Luther, Calvin and reformation positions on monasticism beyond their seeming want to destroy them, this book goes so much deeper than that and highlights instead how and why the reformers took exceptions to the monastic traditions vows especially, but he then goes forwards to how within protestantism a new development of Monasticism arose and is still arising, and herein lies key fresh insights of a movement that is ongoing and needed still.

A wonderful addition to the books on Monasticism and its history.

The Story of Monasticism

Retrieving an Ancient Tradition for Contemporary Spirituality

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The Story of Monasticism

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