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Document Details :

Title: The Riches of Religious Community Life
Author(s): WAAIJMAN, Kees
Journal: Studies in Spirituality
Volume: 15    Date: 2005   
Pages: 169-183
DOI: 10.2143/SIS.15.0.2003474

Abstract :
In this article, the principal models of religious community life are explored: the eremites, who retreated to search for God in seclusion, with the community creating the necessary condition; the coenobites, who took human sociability as a premise of the way to God, with the community helping them to pursue this way faithfully and lovingly; apostolic communities, which exerted themselves for the good of both the church and the world, with the community fulfilling a largely logistic function; and secular institutions, which maintain a hidden presence in cultural life, with the community creating an invisible tie that offers members secret support. We explored the extremes of these types of community so as to depict the scope and riches of religious community life. The various intermediate forms between the extremes are readily conceivable. Meanwhile the exploration of the field provides an overview of religious life over the ages.

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