Page 82 - LD215 History of the Church in Africa A4 final

A History of the Church in Africa

Monasticism

We use this term to describe people who withdrew from the ordinary
pattern of life to search for piety, holiness, and a greater knowledge of
God. For some people, it was a reaction to the dispute over doctrine
and worldly practices in the church. Some historians in referring to the
monastics (people who practice monasticism) call them “desert fathers”
because many retreated to the desert to seek spiritual life. Some have
seen monasticism as a kind of opposition movement to the world of the
third century. Sundkler provides insight into the reason for monastic life:

They (the monks) preferred to disappear into the Desert
Mountains for long periods of time. At first it was a question of
individuals who, as hermits, withdrew for a life of prayer and
meditation, finding their abode in a grotto (cave) or perhaps an
abandoned grave. (13)

Anthony, who was living in Southern Egypt, is associated with the
origins of the movement. He did not know the classical languages of
Greek and Hebrew but was comfortable with the rural language known as
Coptic. Anthony and his sister inherited a considerable amount of money
from their parents. Shortly thereafter, while attending a church, Anthony
heard a text that changed his life. It was Matthew 19:21: “Jesus answered:
‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” Anthony
interpreted the words literally and responded by selling his lands and
possessions. Making provisions for his sister, he moved to the desert’s
edge to pursue God in simplicity. Stotts describes his life after that:

He lived in a cave, where he spent a long life of meditation. He ate
very little and drank even less. He even refused water for bathing.
Just think, he lived to be 106. Many knew of his life style and
wished to follow his example. (106)

Shaw takes up the story of Anthony’s life over the next few years
and the impact he made on political figures, religious leaders, and the
Coptic Church:

After a number of years he [Antony] yearned for even greater
solitude and climbed into the Arabian mountains on the east side

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