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Reactionary Monks

Reactionary Monks. The Development of Monasticism. Christian Calendar. Christmas on December 25 Instituted by 336 Chosen to draw converts away from pagan celebration of Natalis Solis Invicti Lent Developed as preparation for baptism on Easter

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Reactionary Monks

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  1. Reactionary Monks The Development of Monasticism

  2. Christian Calendar • Christmas on December 25 • Instituted by 336 • Chosen to draw converts away from pagan celebration of Natalis Solis Invicti • Lent • Developed as preparation for baptism on Easter • Six weeks of fasting applied to entire church • 40 days related to Jesus’ 40 days in wilderness • Holy Week developed by Cyril of Jerusalem (d. 386) • Feast of Ascension & Pentecost • Liturgical calendar for year, commemorate Gospel

  3. Reactionary Monks The Development of Monasticism

  4. Development • Imperial Church • Persecutions of earlier centuries strengthened the church; After Constantine made Christianity the religion of the empire, the church became secure, but comfortable and weak. • People were joining the church because of privilege and position without learning the meaning of Christian living. • The rich and powerful began to dominate the church.

  5. Development • Monastic Reaction • Jesus taught the way to salvation was a narrow path, but society was now intent on making it a wide avenue, with much affluence. • How to witness to the Crucified Lord, who had nowhere to lay His head, while many leaders of the church now live in costly homes? • Martyrdom is no longer an option • Many opted to flee society, leave possessions behind, dominate the body and its passions, and embrace the monastic life.

  6. Anthony(c. 251-356)

  7. “Go and sell all you possess and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me.” ~ Mark 10:21

  8. “The Discipline” • Constant prayer • Working with his hands • Severe fasts • Sleep deprivation

  9. monk = solitary • anchorite = withdrawn or fugitive • cenobitic = “communal life”

  10. Pachomius (c.290-346) Founder ofCommunal Monasticism

  11. Pachomius’ Rules All members must give up their worldly goods. All members owe absolute obedience to their superiors. They must work with their hands, and none must consider any task unworthy. The basic rule was mutual service, so that even those in authority had to serve those under them.

  12. Conflict: Monasticism and the Church • Monasticism did not sit well with the bishops who lived in great cities and enjoyed power and prestige. • Many monks, believing that their lives were holier, felt that they should make decisions about church doctrine and practice. As a result, conflict developed between the monastery and the church.

  13. Western Monasticism Compared to Eastern Monasticism: • More practical – punish the body not for renunciation but for training for a mission to the world. • Not solitary but communal. • No tension with bishops of church; monasticism was right arm of the church.

  14. Benedict • Founder of Western Monasticism • 6th Century • Monte Cassino, Italy

  15. The Benedictine Rule • Strict discipline without harshness • Permanence • Obedience to the Rule and to the abbot • Physical Labor • Prayer • Study

  16. Monte Cassino • Destroyed by Lombards in 589 • Monks fled to Rome • Influence spread throughout West

  17. Decline of Monasticism • Many monasteries were destroyed by Norsemen and Hungarians • Those that survived became corrupt means for personal gain for abbots • Some abbots bought posts or gained them through homicide • Then they enjoyed easy life • The Benedictine Rule was ignored • For those monks who felt called to monastic life, their vocation was violated

  18. Monastic Reform: Cluny • 909, William of Aquitaine founded Cluny & appointed Berno • Series of high-minded abbots over 2 centuries • Expanded ideals of monastic reform throughout Europe

  19. Cluniac Reform • Opposed simony • Forbade clerical marriage • Promoted obedience • Monks to superiors and Benedictine Rule • Church to the Pope (who would head a great renewal)

  20. Cluniac Reform • Poverty? • Ambivalent regarding poverty • Good monk owned nothing, but a monastery could own vast properties and wealth • Eventually Cluniac monks evaded simple life • Wealth of monasteries invited simony • Other reform movements developed

  21. Cistercian Movement • 1098, Robert of Molesme founded monastery at Citeaux (formerly Cistercium) • Return to Benedictine simplicity • Liturgy • Buildings • Manual labor • Agriculture

  22. Bernard of Clairvaux(1090-1153) • Gifted in meditation & preaching • Champion of ecclesiastical reform • Enemy of theological innovation • Preacher of Second Crusade • Hymn-writer

  23. Bernard’s Hymns • O sacred Head now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;How pale Thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn! • Jesus, the very thought of TheeWith sweetness fills the breast;But sweeter far Thy face to see,And in Thy presence rest.

  24. Mendicant Orders (12th-13th centuries) • Growth of cities, trade, and monetary economy brought changes to civilization to which the church could not adapt • Economy created gap between rich & poor • Increased population in cities challenged traditional parish to minister to poor • Needs of poor inspired development of mendicant orders: monks who begged • Mendicant orders traveled and preached • Eventually, they became responsible for teaching in universities

  25. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)

  26. Franciscans: Friars Minor • Poverty • Humility • Simplicity • Sister Order founded by Clare (1193-1253):“Poor Clares” or “Second Order” of Franciscan nuns

  27. Dominic de Guzman(c.1170-1221)

  28. Dominicans: Order of Preachers • Strict life • Poverty • Fasting • Other abstinences • Prayer • Penitence • Study • Preaching • Care of souls • Missions • Combating heresy • Theological training in universities

  29. Benefits of Monasticism • Monks became adept at copying the Bible and other books • Their houses became teaching centers, hospitals, pharmacies, and hotels

  30. Benefits of Monasticism • Monasteries preserved culture of the past • Monasteries provided only source of education; later provided educators for universities

  31. Benefits of Monasticism • Monks, especially Cistercians, cultivated unused land and made it productive • Monasticism allowed opportunities for women to serve the church and to lead

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