Preface
List of Illustrations
List of Abbreviations
List of Contributors
1 Introduction. Towards a New Monastic History, Bernice M.
Kaczynski
Part I. Asceticism and Monasticism in Early Christianity
2 Asceticism before Monasticism: What the First Monks Owed to the
Early Christian Churches, Richard Finn, OP
3 Holy Men and Women of the Desert, David Brakke
4 The Architecture of the Ascetic Body, Lynda L. Coon
5 The Literature of Early Eastern Monasticism, Brouria
Bitton-Ashkelony
6 The Literature of Early Western Monasticism, Columba Stewart,
OSB
7 Archaeological Evidence for the Study of Early Monasticism,
Stephen J. Davis
Part II. Eastern Medieval Monasticism and the Orthodox Churches
8 Spirituality and Prayer in the Eastern Traditions, Andrew
Louth
9 Monasticism in the Byzantine Empire, Peter Hatlie
10 Monasteries, Society, Economy, and the State in the Byzantine
Empire, Kostis Smyrlis
11 Monasticism in the Oriental Orthodox Churches, Samuel
Rubenson
12 The Archaeology of Monastic Households, Darlene L. Brooks
Hedstrom
Part III A. Western Medieval Monasticism: Forms of Monastic and
Religious Life
13 Monasticism in Early Ireland, Westley Follett
14 The Benedictines, Scott G. Bruce
15 The Cistercians, Anne E. Lester
16 The Military Orders: Templars and Hospitallers, Jochen
Burgtorf
17 The Early Mendicants, Frances Andrews
18 Religious Women: Secular Canonesses and Beguines, Sigrid
Hirbodian
19 Observant Reform in the Late Middle Ages, Kathryne Beebe
Part III B. Western Medieval Monasticism: Approaches to Monastic
Life and Culture
20 Prayer, Rachel Fulton Brown
21 Musical and Liturgical Practice, James Grier
22 Monastic Art, Sacred Space, and the Mediation of Religious
Experience, Thomas E. A. Dale
23 Monastic Narrative Practices, Katherine Allen Smith
24 Friendship, Family, and Community, Julian P. Haseldine
25 Sickness and Healing, Peregrine Horden
26 Landscape, Land Use, and the Environment, Richard Oram
Part IV. Europe and the Wider World: From the Early Modern Era to
the Twenty-First Century
27 The Dissolution of the Monasteries: England, Ireland, Scotland,
and Wales, James G. Clark
28 Monasticism in Early Modern France, Daniel-Odon Hurel
29 Monasticism in Early Modern Germany, Edeltraud Klueting
T.OCarm
30 Monasticism in Early Modern Italy and Spain, Elizabeth A.
Lehfeldt
31 Russian Orthodox Monasticism from 988 to 1917, Scott M.
Kenworthy
32 Monasticism in the Early Modern Atlantic World, Dominique
Deslandres
33 Monasticism in the United States, Margaret M. McGuinness
34 Monasticism in Latin America, Bonar L. Hernández
35 Monasticism in Africa South of the Sahara, Catherine Higgs
36 Christian Monasticism in Asia, Matteo Nicolini-Zani
Part V. Contemporary Perspectives
37 The Eastern Traditions Today: Greek Orthodox Monasticism,
Chrysostom Koutloumousianos
38 The Eastern Traditions Today: Russian and Romanian Orthodox
Monasticism, Scott M. Kenworthy
39 The Protestant Tradition, Inge Mager
40 The Anglican Tradition, Adam D. McCoy, OHC
41 The 'New Monasticism', Douglas E. Christie and Bernadette
Flanagan
42 Lectio Divina: Opening to God's Word, Gregory J. Polan, OSB
43 Monastic Interreligious Dialogue, Fabrice Blée
44 Contemporary Monasticism: Challenges and Opportunities, Michael
Casey, OCSO
Index
Bernice M. Kaczynski, Professor Emerita of History and Adjunct Professor, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario and Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto
This impressive Handbook covers Christian monasticism, 'a complex
phenomenon with a long history and an unknowable future' (p. 1)
from its origins and early centuries to the present day...The
Handbook achieves a balance of narratives of the past and agendas
for the future. It can be read on different levels and for
different purposes. Scholars of monasticism will find fresh
approaches, new perspectives, and an up-to-date guide to specialist
research and publication. Students and those new to the history of
monasticism will here discover succinct introductions to different
periods, movements, spiritualities, archaeologies, discussions of
gender, and the joys (and challenges) of interdisciplinarity. The
editor is to be congratulated on bringing together a distinguished
company of scholars to produce a fine set of essays.
*Janet Burton, Journal of Medieval Monastic Studies*
The Oxford Handbook of Christian Monasticism provides striking
evidence of the strength and breadth of contemporary research on
monasticism and the resilience of the monastic way of life itself.
It is a credit to all who were involved in its production, and
constitutes an invaluable, indispensable resource for anyone
interested in this fascinating subject.
*Colmán Ó Clabaigh, Church History Journal*
...the book coordinated by Bernice M. Kaczynski is not only a
useful tool for theologians, in their historical research of the
topic, but also an important work that will surely make any reader,
with or without a theological background, to understand this way of
life and to see which was the main role played by some of its
representatives during the history.
*Iuliu-Marius Morariu, "Babeş-Bolyai" University, Cluj-Napoca,
Romania, Studia Monastica.*
... these volumes do an excellent job of covering so much of what
we think of as Christian monasticism. I commend them heartily.
*Greg Peters, Biola University, The American Benedictine
Review*
This strength of the book is its versatility. As a history of
international monasticism, it can be an introduction for a general
reader; as a reference book, it can be consulted for information
about a specific topic; with its bibliographies, it will guide the
researcher. It will be a widely used resource.
*John Binns, Church Times*
How often can one call a dictionary, encyclopedia, or handbook
'exciting'? Scholars will find in these chapters much of interest,
and even some challenges. The authors write clearly; thus the
chapters can appeal to a wide audience. The 'Suggested Reading'
section within each chapter is very helpful, and those interested
in a topic will find plenty to work with in it and the
bibliographies; although footnotes are kept to a minimum, each
chapter also has an extensive bibliography. The volume most
certainly succeeds at 'reinvigorating enquiries that are already
underway.' All in all, The Oxford Handbook of Christian Monasticism
is a very welcome addition to the bibliographical world and
discussions of ancient, medieval, and modern monasticism(s).
*Tim Vivian, Cistercian Studies Quarterly*
Although this is an expensive work, it will be an invaluable help
for those working in the field of Christian monasticism today.
*James A. Wiseman O.S.B, St. Anselm's Abbey, Washington, DC,
Catholic Historical Review*
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