Christian History Magazine—Issue 93: St. Benedict & Western Monasticism
Overview
In the midst of our frenetic, fragmented modern culture, many Christians are finding something they long for in the simple ideals of the pioneering sixth-century monk Benedict of Nursia and the movement he sparked. The monastic movement began as a desire among lay people for a more intense, disciplined way of living the Christian life. St. Benedict (480–547) wrote a guidebook for the monks in his monasteries that eventually became the standard for monastic life in the West. In the centuries following, monasteries thrived with Benedict’s Rule as their foundation and influenced European culture in ways far beyond what those first humble monks dreamed. In this issue, you will discover the story of these counter-cultural Benedictines and have the opportunity to consider how you might apply their ideals to your own life in the rough and tumble 21st century.
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Top Highlights
“A life of listening—to Scripture, to the writings of the church fathers, to the abbot, and to each other—required of the monks certain fundamental attitudes: the humility of a creature seeking to live in the presence of his Maker, the receptivity of a disciple ‘in the school of the Lord’s service’ (Benedict’s definition of a monastery), and the silence of one who is slow to speak and ready to learn.” (source)
“Benedict and most of his first disciples were laypeople, though he did allow ordained priests to enter the monastery. His primary goal was not to minister to the wider church, but to establish a community of baptized, celibate Christians devoted to helping each other live out the gospel. According to historian David Knowles, ‘Benedict’s monastery is neither a penitentiary nor a school of ascetic mountaineering, but a family, a home of those seeking God.’” (source)
“But although Benedict had great respect for hermits, he thought that a community offered more safeguards and guidance. Would-be hermits should first live in a community before embracing solitude. Therefore he was writing for ‘cenobites,’ monks who lived and served together ‘under a rule and an abbot.’” (source)
“Benedict listed some 70 ‘instruments of good works,’ beginning with the Lord’s command to love God with all one’s heart and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. The list includes the Ten Commandments, ascetic practices, forgiveness, sincerity and restraint in speech, confession of sins, and placing one’s hope solely in God.” (source)
“The monks were to express obedience, silence, and humility in virtuous action” (source)
- Title: Christian History Magazine—Issue 93: St. Benedict & Western Monasticism
- Author: Christian History Institute
- Series: Christian History Magazine
- Publisher: Christianity Today
- Print Publication Date: 2007
- Logos Release Date: 2009
- Era: era:Contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Benedict of Nursia; Monasticism; Church history › Middle Ages, 400-1500
- Resource ID: LLS:CH93
- Resource Type: Magazine
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-10-05T16:41:06Z