lovemuffin
τὸν ἄρτον τοῦ ἔρωτος
I almost want to say "asceticism" rather than "monasticism" to avoid focusing on on any particular form, since there are differences in practice between different monastic orders at different times. So by "monasticism" I mean the ascetic efforts made by Christians that are intended to bring one closer to union with God and cultivate Christian virtues like humility, love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control, usually involving isolation from secular life in some fashion.
Monastic traditions began as very concentrated efforts towards that goal, primarily centered around fleeing worldly pursuits in favor of "prayer without ceasing", pursued with the sort of focus implied by the parable of the hidden treasure or the pearl of great price.
Luther, Calvin, and the reformers rejected monastic traditions (and by extrapolation ascetic practices more generally) primarily because they interpreted these practices within the context of "justification by faith", that is: in the context of salvation and it being beyond the possibility of being earned by works. They considered monastics to be trying to earn salvation, and called for the abolition of monasteries, for the return of monks and nuns to secular life, and for the complete renunciation of monastic worship as "blasphemous" and "wasted effort."
Examples:
Did Luther and Calvin Favor Evangelical Monasticism?
The Lutheran Augsberg Confession:
Calvin's Institutes:
My question is: were the reformers right to reject monasticism?
I'm going to argue that they were wrong, mostly because they mischaracterized the nature of ascetic practice and monastic life. That is, they are wrong to say that it is an effort to win salvation by works. Beyond that, I think they ignored both quite a bit of scriptural exhortation as well as a very rich and longstanding Christian tradition. But this post is long enough, so before I argue anything, what do you think?
Monastic traditions began as very concentrated efforts towards that goal, primarily centered around fleeing worldly pursuits in favor of "prayer without ceasing", pursued with the sort of focus implied by the parable of the hidden treasure or the pearl of great price.
Luther, Calvin, and the reformers rejected monastic traditions (and by extrapolation ascetic practices more generally) primarily because they interpreted these practices within the context of "justification by faith", that is: in the context of salvation and it being beyond the possibility of being earned by works. They considered monastics to be trying to earn salvation, and called for the abolition of monasteries, for the return of monks and nuns to secular life, and for the complete renunciation of monastic worship as "blasphemous" and "wasted effort."
Examples:
Did Luther and Calvin Favor Evangelical Monasticism?
The Lutheran Augsberg Confession:
11] They taught that vows were equal to Baptism; they taught that by this kind of life they merited forgiveness of sins and justification before God. 12] Yea, they added that the monastic life not only merited righteousness before God but even greater things, because it kept not only the precepts, but also the so-called "evangelical counsels."
41] Paul says, Gal. 5:4: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the Law, ye are fallen from grace. 42] To those, therefore, who want to be justified by their vows Christ is made of no effect, and they fall from grace. 43] For also these who ascribe justification to vows ascribe to their own works that which properly belongs to the glory of Christ.
41] Paul says, Gal. 5:4: Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the Law, ye are fallen from grace. 42] To those, therefore, who want to be justified by their vows Christ is made of no effect, and they fall from grace. 43] For also these who ascribe justification to vows ascribe to their own works that which properly belongs to the glory of Christ.
Calvin's Institutes:
The thing itself declares that all who retire into monasteries withdraw from the Church. For how? Do they not separate themselves from the legitimate society of the faithful, by acquiring for themselves a special ministry and private administration of the sacraments? What is meant by destroying the communion of the Church if this is not? (Institutes 4.13.14)
My question is: were the reformers right to reject monasticism?
I'm going to argue that they were wrong, mostly because they mischaracterized the nature of ascetic practice and monastic life. That is, they are wrong to say that it is an effort to win salvation by works. Beyond that, I think they ignored both quite a bit of scriptural exhortation as well as a very rich and longstanding Christian tradition. But this post is long enough, so before I argue anything, what do you think?
