6. THE MONASTIC RESCUE OF THE CHURCH Refer to 2000 year timeline: How was Christian orthodoxy preserved and saved from total control by state politics, worldly corruption, wealthy influence and the rise of powerful bishops? Monasteries emerged as places of pious worship, prayer, scholarship, service to the poor and missionary outreach. Without them much would have been lost entirely! The Fall of Rome: In 410 AD Alaric the Visigoth sacked Rome. Happened again by Vandals in 455 AD. In 476 AD the last official emperor in the west, Romulus Augustus, was removed. How could an ordinary pious Christian find a way of life based on the Bible and given to prayer? Monastic = from “monos”; meaning one, or solitary. Early Monastic Leaders or Models St. Anthony, in Egypt, ca. 270 AD. Hermit life of prayer in Egyptian Desert. Symeon Stylites (390-459 AD): a hermit in area of Antioch. Built a small abode atop a pole, where he lived for decades, with all life necessities pulled up in a bucket. St. Jerome (342-420 AD) St. Basil of Caesarea Benedict of Nursia (480-550 AD): composed his “Rule” for monastic life – a detailed manual giving both ideals and practical principles to regulate a community of faith – used by many other orders. “Prayer is work; and work is prayer.” Monastic Rescue of Manuscripts and Learning: (Pictures of ‘Art of the Book’) Realize that in these early days there were really no universities or organized schools at any level. The rest of society was too much in chaos to be bothered with the tedious and careful work of scholarship and books. Modern author, Thomas Cahill wrote How the Irish Saved Civilization. Monasteries in Britain and Ireland St. Patrick (390-460 AD) in Ireland Columba (521-597 AD) at Iona, spread the faith into Scotland Aiden, at Lindisfarne, produced the “Lindisfarne Gospels”, a famous illuminated manuscript of all four gospels 7. Later Monastic Orders Founded Augustinians – Luther! ; Dominicans; Franciscans; Cistercians; Carthusians; Carmelites; Trappists; and many others. For the sake of time, we’re not mentioning the many convents for nuns. There were some great women leaders such as Hildegard, Bridged, Catherine of Siena. Analysis of Monastic Accomplishments: Provided social centers of order, fellowship and self-discipline in the midst of chaotic social changes. Provided safe havens for various refugees; usually respected by marauders. Taught a humble life of Bible study, prayer and regulated worship; emphasis on self-sacrifice, obedience to authority. Strong contribution to preservation of Scripture documents, plus doctrinal books and classic literature. Development of music: Gregorian chant, etc. Some examples of reactions against unbiblical doctrines from Rome – certain early efforts well before the Reformation at church reform and doctrinal purity. Centers for education established; some led to great universities. Abbots of monasteries were generally more doctrinally and spiritually conservative than many of the magisterial bishops who ruled in cities. Care for the sick; some led to establishment of early hospitals. Care for the poor in an age of no social services available; also many orphanages. Business models and farming of monasteries became models for early forms of industry and capitalism: vineyards, bakeries, textiles, some manufacturing. Negative Issues: Celibacy was often exalted beyond proper Biblical teaching. Tendency toward an extreme emphasis on subduing “the flesh”; teaching that all sex is evil. In the emphasis on hard work, there sometimes was an imbalance leading to notions of salvation by works, not grace. At times leadership could be harsh or extreme in demands made. Some abbots even became rich by abuse of monastic finances. Idea of “withdrawal from the world” produced a false division between the ‘religious’ and normal secular life. Idea prevalent that calling as a monk or nun was a ‘higher’ vocation than secular careers. CONCLUSION: “After Christ’s commission to his disciples, the rise of Monasticism was the most important and in many ways most beneficial institution in the history of Christianity.” Dr. Mark Noll .