Early developments in Egypt, Syria, and Palestine, leading to four models:
1. Antony and eremitic monasticism (solo hermits)
2. Pachomius and cenobitic monasticism (communal monasteries)
- The dominant model in the West, following Benedict (6th century)
3. Chariton and the laura/lavra (blended solo/communal)
4. Wandering monks (prevalent in Persian & Celtic Christianity)
The Rise of Western Christendom
Western theology – Augustine of Hippo
- Atonement theology focusing on sin’s legal effects
- Individual and experiential spirituality
- Emphasis on God’s sovereignty over against human free will
Western language – Jerome and the rise of Latin
Western church – development of papal supremacy