City a Desert Lecture Series, Lecture One: Introduction to Interiorized Monasticism

INTRODUCTION TO INTERIORIZED MONASTICISM

Interiorized Monasticism and Ascetic Ideal:
• Obscured: Out of reach to majority.
• Revealed: Fundamental principle of life in Christ.

Eschatological Dimensions:

• Obscured: Life cut off from the world or world cut off

  from life of the kingdom.

• Revealed: Incarnation and kingdom of God present;

  Kingdom within through gift of the Spirit (active eschatology, touching every aspect of the world; living now in light of the End).

  Beauty Saves the World:

• Obscured: Culture as cult, autonomous from God and

  guided by sensibilities of the age.

• Revealed: Rediscovery of culture through the beauty

  of holiness. Jesus is the Holy One - the most beautiful of the sons of men. He is the perfect icon, manifesting God unveiled.

  The Monastic Ideal:

• Obscured: Return to the ancient forms of monastic

  ascesis.

• Revealed: Internalized. The human psyche is renewed

  from within.

  Five Fundamental Elements of Interiorized Monasticism (Upcoming Lectures):

  • Prayer
  • Eschatological Maximalism • Poverty
  • Chastity
  • Obedience