The Oxford Handbook of Christian Monasticism: (Oxford Handbooks)

The Handbook takes as its subject the complex phenomenon of Christian monasticism. It addresses, for the first time in one volume, the multiple strands of Christian monastic practice. Forty-four essays consider historical and thematic aspects of the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Protestant, and Anglican traditions, as well as contemporary 'new monasticism'. The essays in the book span a period of nearly two thousand years--from late ancient times, through the medieval and early modern eras, on to the present day. Taken together, they offer, not a narrative survey, but rather a map of the vast terrain. The intention of the Handbook is to provide a balance of some essential historical coverage with a representative sample of current thinking on monasticism. It presents the work of both academic and monastic authors, and the essays are best understood as a series of loosely-linked episodes, forming a long chain of enquiry, and allowing for various points of view. The authors are a diverse and international group, who bring a wide range of critical perspectives to bear on pertinent themes and issues. They indicate developing trends in their areas of specialisation. The individual contributions, and the volume as a whole, set out an agenda for the future direction of monastic studies. In today's world, where there is increasing interest in all world monasticisms, where scholars are adopting more capacious, global approaches to their investigations, and where monks and nuns are casting a fresh eye on their ancient traditions, this publication is especially timely.

Table of Contents:
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

About the Author :
Bernice M. Kaczynski, Professor Emerita of History and Adjunct Professor, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario and Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto

Review :
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. 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. ...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. ... these volumes do an excellent job of covering so much of what we think of as Christian monasticism. I commend them heartily. 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. 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). Although this is an expensive work, it will be an invaluable help for those working in the field of Christian monasticism today. 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. Any aspiring scholar interested in Christian monasticism will find the handbook immensely helpful. Experts will also find the volume beneficial.