Monks and Monasticism in the Anglican Tradition

The bones of the monastic hours can certainly be found in Cranmer’s daily offices, but what influence did monasticism have on the development of Anglican theology? From St. Aidan’s Lindisfarne community to Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries, asceticism played a significant role in the historical, political, and religious development of the theology of the Church in England. The Prayerbook assumes certain ascetic principles and abandons or ignores others. In this paper, I’d like to explore how early English monasticism reappears in the ethos of the prayer book and how medieval ascetic ideals and devotions are purged from the public and religious life of the church.

This lecture is also available for purchase as a booklet on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3iIKUxG

For Further Reading:

  1. English Spirituality: An Outline of Ascetical Theology according to the English Pastoral Tradition by Martin Thornton
    Link: https://amzn.to/3syVs6a
  2. Story of Monasticism: Retrieving an Ancient Tradition for Contemporary Spirituality by Greg Peters
    Link: https://amzn.to/3p4lsnS
  3. A History of the Church in England by J. R. H. Moorman
    Link: https://amzn.to/38WZg9y
  4. The Tudor Constitution: Documents and Commentary
    Link: https://amzn.to/39K8o0x

2 responses to “Monks and Monasticism in the Anglican Tradition”

  1. Kenneth Shaw
    Kenneth Shaw

    Do you have any plans to address the ascetical theology of Evagrius Ponticus and the other early desert fathers?

    Reply
    1. Steve Macias – Los Altos, California – Steve Macias is an Anglican priest in the Reformed Episcopal Church (ACNA). He is the Headmaster of Canterbury School and Rector of Saint Paul’s Anglican Church. He is married to Sarah and the father to Athanasius, Anselm, Assumpta, Basil and Zoe. His professional work consulting with political campaigns, leading nonprofit organizations, and in the California State Capitol has been recognized by The Los Angeles Times, National Review Magazine, Our Sunday Visitor, and numerous online and print publications. You can reach him on twitter @stevemacias.
      Steve Macias

      My friend The Very Rev. John Boonzaijjer gave a lecture a few year back on Evagrius Ponticus. I wonder if I can track down my notes.

      His talk was about Defending the faith against the soul’s endless desires for change, flair, and autonomy offers the growing Christian one of the greatest challenges to mature in Christ within the stability of one’s own parish. For the faithful parishioner to flourish in the monastic life of a Prayer Book parish, multiple deep conversions are required; these conversions correspond to the findings of monastic fathers, to the teaching of Holy Scripture, and to human nature, and are aptly described using the stages of growth understood by spiritual directors—particularly those of Evagrius of Ponticus. Resisting this triple conversion invites a grand default to lonely superiority and endless wandering.

      Reply

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