OCT. 4:  ASCETICISM AND MONASTICISM

The "heavenly ladder" of John Klimakos:  Sinai

Getting into Heaven, staying out of that Other Place:

Is human nature inherently and originally sinful?

The Origins of Monasticism:  The Egyptian Desert

Monks go there to do battle with demons:

Antony, the first monk (Greek orthodox icon):

Demons, Demons and More Demons:  The Temptation of St. Anthony (Marten de Vos, 16th century)

St. Jerome in the Wilderness (Veronese, c.1580)

Benedict of Nursia (Fra Angelico, 15th century)

The dilemma of holiness:  withdraw from the world, or try to change it?