Module 7: Monasticism
Hi everyone, and welcome to the seventh module of the History of Christianity 1 Course. In this section, we'll be looking at a form of Christianity that has lasted for centuries, even remaining today. We'll look at the reasons behind this particular expression of faith, its history, and its impacts.
This module will help you to understand the history, attitudes, and practices of monasticism. You will be exposed to the different forms of monasticism over the centuries, how monasticism developed and changed, and some of the major individuals of these movements. You will get a sense of the typical life of a monastic and the reasons they lived that lifestyle. You will also wrestle through what positive principles can be imitated from monasticism, as well as any negative outcomes to be avoided. And the student will be given opportunity to process how these lessons can be applied to current social situations, by learning from their successes, as well as their failures.
The student will have opportunity to evaluate the longer-term effects of these movements, approaches, and practices, and the lessons that can be learned from monasticism. This module will also aid the student to work through how the lessons learned are applicable in their own life and ministry.
Introductory Scenario
Imagine that you are feeling overwhelmed by the pressures, distractions, and urgent demands of daily life (I'll pause while you think sarcastic thoughts about how hard that is for you to imagine). How can a Christian overcome these challenges? Is there a way to get away from these distractions? Would it be legitimate to forsake the business of life and live separately? What would that look like? Would it be worth it? What would we miss, or sinfully neglect if we attempted this? Please consider these questions and be watching for material that will help you answer them as you work through this module.
Module Objectives and Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, the student will:
- Articulate and evaluate the various causes of monasticism.
- Describe the history of early monasticism and the two main types of monasticism in this era.
- Describe the history of medieval monasticism and the major changes to monasticism in this era and the people who made them.
- Articulate various impacts of monasticism on the church and wider society.
- Distinguish various approaches to monasticism and how their emphases differ.
- Articulate and evaluate the ideals of monasticism and their current relevance.
- Evaluate both the positive and the negative contributions of monasticism to Christianity, and how these lessons can be applied today.
- Place the major people and events from these movements in a general chronology.
Instruction Guides
In this section, you'll find links to important instructional documents for this module. Click the following links to open each document. There is a set of instructions for individual study and a document for group study.
Textbook Content
In this section, you'll find a study guide for the textbook reading for module 7. And then you'll find the link to a practice quiz covering this textbook reading.
This section also contains a review quiz to test your understanding of the textbook material for this module. By clicking the banner below, you will be given a series of questions, in random order. The quiz will be different each time, so feel free to take it more than once.
Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the Submit
button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.
Lecture Content
In this section, you will find the video lectures for the Early & Medieval Monasticism module. Click each banner to open access to each video. There are also links with each video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface or download just the audio to listen offline.
Reviews
In this section, you will find the review slides from the course lectures for module 7. This is a convenient way to view and review the summaries for each lecture. Click the banner to open the slide show.
Click the prev.
and next
buttons (bottom right of the slide) to move through the slides. You can also click on any thumbnail to go directly to that slide.
Discussion/Reflection Questions
This section contains questions for further thought and discussion from Module 7. It is recommended that you take time to think through these issues in order to thoroughly grasp the significance and explore the application of the material you are learning. These questions can also be used as essay questions in a classroom setting exam. Below, you will find links to the Response and Application Reflection Instructions for Individuals, and the Response and Application Discussion Instructions for Groups. And you will find a link to the detailed question document for this module. Or Click the banner below to view the questions in a simplified format.
The following questions are for your thoughtful consideration and discussion:
- What are the good things about monasticism which we should imitate today? How can we put them into practice?
- What are the bad things about monasticism which we should avoid today? How can we guard against them?
- How can we be IN the world, but not OF the world? What can we learn from monasticism? How can we apply this?
- What else did you learn? How does it apply?
(Optional) Timeline - Part 7
This section contains instructions for an optional Timeline activity to be constructed over all sixteen modules. Below is a link to the detailed instructions for this activity.
Step Seven of the Timeline should include the following information:
- Any significant events and people in early Anchorite and Cenobitic monasticism.
- Any significant events and people in medieval monasticism.
- Any significant monastic orders and monastic missionary movements.
Annotate any significant approaches, ideas, principles, and cautions from the institution of monasticism and its impacts on the larger church, Christian life in general, and the surrounding society, and how they are applicable to the current church and Christian life.
(Optional) Principles Chart - Part 7
This section contains instructions for an optional Principles Chart activity to be constructed over all sixteen modules. Below is a link to the detailed instructions for this activity.
Step Seven of the Principles Chart will add any important principles noted from early and medieval monasticism - its successes and failures, as well as the impacts these movements had on the short-term and long-term health of the church and society.
It is suggested that the student begin this activity before watching the Guiding Principles
portion of the lecture. Then the student may supplement their work after learning additional insights from the Guiding Principles.
(Optional) Term Project - Research
The student will continue researching about their chosen topic for their term project. The student should seek to follow where their research leads, and fill any gaps in their knowledge. The student should also begin organizing all that they are learning into a logical and coherent structure, based on the information they have researches, which will serve as the organization for their term project presentation.
Below is a link to detailed instructions for the entire project.
Primary Source Reading
This section contains instructions and resources for the Primary Source Reading activity. The student should read a minimum of 10-20 pages from a primary resource or resources discussed in this module's lecture and write or discuss a brief response to their reading. Below is a link to detailed instructions for the Primary Source Reading, which contain a list of recommended resources, by module. And click the banner below to access a list of recommended resources with links to where they may be found.
The following is a list of the recommended primary sources for this module. This list contains links to the resources in print and/or online format. These links may change, so feel free to search for other sources for these same titles. In addition, please do not feel you are limited only to this list. Feel free to choose from any primary source from the period and topic covered in this module:
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Life of Anthony,Print ISBN: 978-0060754693, 978-0809122950, 978-0809102501, or 978-0895555250Online: NewAdvent, apostles-creed.org, or StJohnMiami.org
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Rule of Pachomius,Print ISBN: 978-0879079468Online: westminsterabbey.ca, or StShenoudaMonastery.org
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Rule of Benedict,Print ISBN: 978-0140449969, 978-0486457963, 978-0814687925, or 978-1612617695Online: ccel.org, archive.osb.org, solesmes.com, or pressbooks.palni.org
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Life of Benedict,Print ISBN: 978-0814632628, or 978-0140435269Online: ccel.org, NtsLibrary.com, or crossroadsinitiative.com
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Life of Martin of Tours,Print ISBN: 978-0140435269Online: westminsterabbey.com
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Confession of St. Patrick,Print ISBN: 978-0307768841, 978-1683440703, or 978-0899421810Online: ccel.org, romanroadstatic.com, or confessio.ie
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Rule of St. Francis,Print ISBN: 978-1640600195Online: ccel.org, mit.edu, sacred-texts.com, or ofm.org
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Spiritual Exercises,Print ISBN: 978-0486486048, 978-0852444047, or 978-1610250993Online: catholicspiritualdirction.org, or sacred-texts.com
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The Practice of the Presence of God,Print ISBN: 978-0486844985, or 978-0882707938Online: ccel.org, basilica.ca, or bsmi.org
Review Quiz
This section is a link to a review quiz to test your understanding of the objective material for Module 7. By clicking the banner, you will be taken to a series of questions, in random order. Answer each question and then push the Submit
button to check your answers. Every question must be answered before you can submit the quiz. At the end, you will be shown your score for the entire quiz. The quiz will be different each time, so feel free to take it more than once. Click the banner to begin the quiz.
Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this module's lectures. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.
Module Completed!
Congratulations, you have reached the end of the seventh module. I hope that you have found it rewarding and have noticed personal growth.
I encourage you to continue on the next module as soon as is convenient. The button below will take you to Module 8.
