The story of monasticism : retrieving an ancient tradition for contemporary spirituality / Greg Peters.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 259-269) and index.

Introduction: The monastic impulse -- The origins of Christian monasticism -- Of anchorites and cenobites -- The rule -- The flowering of Benedictine monasticism -- Other voices: Celtic, Frankish, and Eastern monasticism -- Challenges of Christendom -- The road to reform -- The Cistercians, Carthusians, and other reforming orders -- Regular canons, hospitallers, and the military orders -- The friars -- Decline or development? : lay piety and religious life in the late medieval era -- The reformers and counter-reformers -- Protestants and monasticism after the Reformation -- Continuing Roman Catholic monastic practice -- Epilogue: Monasticism today and tomorrow.

Some evangelicals perceive monasticism as a relic from the past, a retreat from the world, or a shirking of the call to the Great Commission. At the same time, contemporary evangelical spirituality desires historical Christian manifestations of the faith. In this accessibly written book Greg Peters, an expert in monastic studies who is a Benedictine oblate and spiritual director, offers a historical survey of monasticism from its origins to current manifestations. Peters recovers the riches of the monastic tradition for contemporary spiritual formation and devotional practice, explaining why the monastic impulse is a valid and necessary manifestation of the Christian faith for today's church.