Addison Hodges Hart, also known as "The Pragmatic Mystic" (on Substack), is a retired parish priest and university chaplain. As an author, he has written several books on biblical commentary, religious studies, interfaith dialogue, and contemplative traditions. In this episode, Addison joins Jonas for a wide-ranging conversation on Christian monasticism.
The discussion begins with Walter Nigg’s book Warriors of God, which explores the founders of monastic orders. Originally published in the 1950s, the book has now been republished by Angelico Press, thanks to Addison’s efforts. This new edition was long overdue, as few books have managed to provide such a thorough, insightful, yet accessible overview of Christian monasticism’s history and the lives of its key founders.
Nigg’s observations lead Jonas and Addison into a fascinating exchange on:
The essence of monasticism,
How monastic founders often subverted the militaristic logic of their time,
The differences between Eastern and Western monasticism,
The possible future of monasticism,
Ways we can integrate monastic practices and spirituality into our own lives.
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For more on the new edition of Walter Nigg's Warriors of God
https://angelicopress.com/products/warriors-of-god
And for Addison's Substack page: