The Rise of the Monastic Movement

Join host Rachel Chen and special guest Bishop Andy Lewter, church historian and author of "Executive Privilege," for a fascinating exploration of one of Christianity's most influential yet overlooked movements - early monasticism.

What You'll Discover: When Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 CE, it created an unexpected crisis: How do you maintain spiritual authenticity when your persecuted faith suddenly becomes the empire's favored religion? The answer came from an unlikely source - hermits fleeing to the Egyptian desert.

We trace the remarkable journey from Anthony of Egypt's radical retreat into the wilderness through the development of the great medieval monastic orders that would shape European civilization. Learn how communities dedicated to prayer and poverty became the unlikely saviors of classical literature, preserving works by Aristotle, Cicero, and countless others during the collapse of the Roman Empire.

Why It Matters: Without monasticism, we might have lost 90% of classical literature. These communities didn't just preserve books - they preserved the very idea that contemplation, learning, and service could create meaningful alternatives to worldly power.

Perfect for history enthusiasts, students of Christianity, and anyone curious about how a few desert hermits accidentally became the guardians of Western civilization.