West

Week 3 Church Isolated – The Rise of Asceticism I.

The Beginning of Withdraw a. Not A Christian Concept i. Non-Christian Usage

ii. Not Scriptural

b. Why Does It Start? i. The loss of the martyrs

ii. The Effect of Heresy

iii. The Effect of Church/State Relations

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II.

Monasticism in the East a. Anthony (251 – 356) [Makes Popular]

b. Pachomius (290-346) [Brings Discipline]

c. Basil of Caesarea (330 – 379) [Brings Structure and Purpose]

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d. Eccentric Orders i. Simeon Stylites (390 – 459)

ii. Others

III.

Monasticism in the West a. How the West Was Different

b. Jerome (331 – 420)

c. Benedict of Nursia (480 – 530) i. Benedict’s Rule

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ii. Communal Worship Consisted of Seven daily offices (periods of prayer – prayer itself usually last 15 mins or so)

iii. This becomes the “Golden Age” of monasticism in the West.

IV.

Conclusion

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