Oxford Handbook of Christian Monasticism

The <em>Handbook</em> 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<br>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 <br>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<br>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<br>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<br>investigations and where monks and nuns are casting a fresh eye on their ancient traditions this publication is especially timely.