Evolution of the Monastic Ideal by H.B. Workman

Today’s free book is Herbert B. Workman’s survey of the development of Christian Monasticism. This public domain title was digitised using the copy held in Spurgeon’s College library.

Herbert Brook Workman [1862–1951], The Evolution of the Monastic Ideal. From the Earliest Times Down to the Coming of the Friars. A Second Chapter in the History of Christian Renunciation. London: Charles H. Kelly, 1913. Hbk. pp.368. [Click here to visit the download page for this title]

Contents

• Preface
• Abbreviations and Editions

1. Historic Survey of the Ideas of Monasticism
2. The History of Monasticism as an Institution to the Coming of Benedict
3. St.Benedict and his order
4. The Ideals of Monasticism in the Celtic Church
5. The Development of Monasticism from St. Benedict to St. Francis
6. The Coming of the Friars
7. The Message of Monasticism

• Appendix A. The Sources of Our Knowledge of Early Monasticism
• Appendix B. Additional Bibliography
• Index

Main image: St Francis of Assisi. Image Credit: falco from Pixabay