Should Christians Be Like MONKS?

Fresco of Cistercian monks at the murals the murals of the Chapter house of Osek Abbey in Bohemia

I’m rewatching the television series MONK with the protagonist Adrian Monk ── the “defective detective.” But this is not what I mean when I say, “monk.”

What is a monk?

Should true Christians live their life as monks? 

Notice the definition of what a monk is ── and for this definition, I actually got up out of our office chair, went over to the library bookshelf, and grabbed Webster’s Dictionary. Instead of relying on the leftist Wikipedia ──

1monk \’məŋk \ n [ME, fr. OE munuc, fr. LL monachus, fr. LGk monachos, fr. Gk, adj., single, fr. monos single, alone] (bef. 12c): a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery; also: FRIAR

So, a monk is basically a person (a man or a woman) who lives alone in a monastery. 

“Monasteries were typically managed by an abbot who had absolute authority in his monastery. … creature comforts were shunned, but the strict application of such ideals really depended on each monastery. So, too, silence was a method to remind monks they were living in an enclosed society quite different from the outside world. Monks were generally not allowed to speak at all in such places as the church, kitchen, refectory, or dormitories. One might be bold enough to attempt a snatch of conversation in the cloisters right after a general meeting, but besides that indulgence, conversation was to be kept to an absolute minimum, and when it did occur, it was supposed to be restricted to ecclesiastical matters or everyday necessity. Monks were further restricted in that they could only talk to each other, as speaking at all to lay brothers and novices was not permitted, not to mention to outside visitors of any kind. For this reason, monks often used gestures which they had been taught as novices,  and sometimes they even whistled rather than speak to a person or in a place they should not.” 1 

When you see a person dressed in habits, what do you immediately think of? What about Friar Tuck of Robin Hood? What about when a man who is dressed in a cassock or an alb? What do you immediately think of? In our societies, they are often considered to be “holy” people.

Indeed, while some alone time is necessary, living alone for a long duration of time is not good. It can harm your mental health and well-being. Yet, some alone time can be rejuvenating if enjoyed intentionally. 2

Yet, man was not meant to be alone for a long duration of time ── notice God’s living word ──

“And the LORD God said [the Elohim, the family of God – which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ], ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’” – Genesis 2:18. 

Monasticism is moving away from what the LORD God considers “good,” towards something that could cause mental health issues in the long run.

Now, the modern-day monks ── as they have since Medieval times will argue ── they only follow the teaching of Jesus Christ, in which we are to reject any personal wealth, as recorded in the Book of Matthew ──  

“ …’ If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’” – Matthew 19:21.

What they ── and even millions around the world ── fail to recognize and understand is that our Lord Jesus Christ identified two divine principles or commandments in response to the question, ‘Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’ in Matthew chapter 22. He talked about loving God with all your heart, mind, and soul. And loving your fellow human being, just as you would yourself. And He dramatically stated, ‘On these two commandments hang all of the Law and the Prophets.’ And just for the official record, please be aware that He didn’t say anything about keeping customs, or traditions, or getting off into little side issues. He was focused on the big issue. In chapter 19, He directly speaks of keeping the Ten Commandments ── “ …’ But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’” Monks do not keep the Ten Commandments. 3

Our eternal Master and Savior teaches that His true and faithful followers are ── 

“ … ‘ the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15) Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket [or, hide it away in a monastery], but ON A LAMPSTAND, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16) Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.’” – Matthew 5:14-16. 

No one can see any of your good works if you are “living a life of seclusion.”  Or, as rocker Joe Walsh would say, “Living a life of illusion.”

Surely, nearly everyone knows that our Lord Jesus has taught, “ …’ You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 19:19. Yet, sadly, some people have morphed this into, “You do you, and I’ll do me.” 

But, again, how can you properly obey the LORD God if you are enclosed in a monastery, living the life of a monk?

The Apostle Paul speaks of not looking inwardly at the self, but looking outwardly at others ──

“We then who are strong [spiritually strong] ought to bear with the scruples of the weak [those that are a bit weaker, spiritually speaking], and NOT TO PLEASE OURSELVES. 2) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3) For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.’” – Romans 15:1-3.   

To ‘bear the scruples of the weak’ ── as in a moral principle of a hesitation to do what is good ── we must be amongst our neighbors, not trying to please ourselves living a life of piety in a monastery – or for that matter, reaching into this world’s plethora of religious cults - The Family International (TFI). 

Monks typically are pleasing themselves instead of their neighbors. Monks will usually financially support themselves in various ways ── begging or going on alms rounds, sponsorships and donations, selling products they make themselves, tourism, or selling teachings or blessings. 4

Now, be aware ── that any person or religious cult ── can twist Scripture to mean whatever they want it to mean (especially if the person hearing it does not do their due diligence to prove what the person claims is correct within God’s living word!), and Monks do this as well with large portions of the Apostle Paul’s inspired writings. They will often cite the Apostle Paul as endorsing monasticism, when in fact, he taught just the opposite ── 

“I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10) Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, SINCE THEN YOU WOULD NEED TO GO OUT OF THE WORLD.” – 1 Corinthians 5:9-10. 

Notice that the Apostle Paul stated that to get away from the sexually immoral, the covetous, the extortioners, and the idolaters of this world, you would need to take yourself out of the world. You would need to be in a different world ── where these blasphemous works of the flesh do not exist. Even in monasteries, there is homosexuality. 5 

Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed to our Heavenly Father concerning His true and faithful followers ──

“ … ‘ I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.’” – John 17:15. 

Let me add here ── and by no means am I claiming to be a prophet; and I have mentioned this to a few people, i.e., my Sister and Brother Guy ── most of the LORD God’s prophets were loners, experiencing isolation and often loneliness, as a part of their calling. This isolation served to protect them from corruption, sharpen their focus on God, and allow them to deliver His messages purely to His people. I have stated before, “Within a fifty-mile radius from me, where are my true brethren?” They are difficult to find. I have been condemned by many who had claimed, at one time, to be my spiritual brother. 6

And, absolutely, as the Apostle Paul taught ── Let us not neglect meeting together (Hebrews 10:25), if you can do so. 

Living a life as a hermit or monastic lifestyle goes against the living word of God. It tends to be a selfish thing that generally does not show love toward neighbor.

Notice our Lord Jesus Christ ── 

“’ For the kingdom [from] heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15) And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, TO EACH ACCORDING TO HIS OWN ABILITY; and immediately he went on a journey. 

16) Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17) And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18) But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.’” – Matthew 25:14-18. 

A monk or a Christian who purposefully desires to be a loner is like a man who received the one talent, and then buried it in the ground. Our Lord calls such a person a ‘wicked and lazy servant’ ── a person who should have known that our Lord Jesus does not reap where He does not sow, and does not gather where He has not scattered seed. Our Lord expects us to work with others ── certainly, if possible. Do not be deceived, it’s not always good to do the work of God alone.

What about monk history? Notice that the Roman Catholic Church regarding monasticism, as it recognizes it, and  that it did not even begin until around the 3rd century AD ── 

III. Eastern Monasticism. — (1) Origin. — The first home of Christian monasticism is the Egyptian desert. Hither during persecution men fled the world and the danger of apostasy, to serve God in solitude. St. Anthony (270-356) is counted the father of all monks. His fame attracted many others, so that under Diocletian and Constantino there were large colonies of monks in Egypt, the first λαuραι. … 

The monks lived each in his own hut, providing for their simple needs with their own hands, united by a bond of willing submission to the direction of some older and more experienced hermit, coming together on Saturday and Sunday for common prayer, otherwise spending their time in private contemplation and works of penance. Celibacy was from the beginning an essential note of monasticism. A wife and family were part of the “world” they had left. 7 

IV. Western Monasticism. — (1) Pre-Benedictine Period. — The introduction of monasticism into the West may be dated from about A.D. 340 when St. Athanasius visited Rome, accompanied by the two Egyptian monks Ammon and Isidore, disciples of St. Anthony. 8 

So, there you have it ── monasticism, as we have come to know it, did not even begin until the late 3rd century. And, it didn’t even become popular until the 4th century, so our Lord and Savior’s early Church in the 1st century did not practice monasticism – or any of its modern components, rites, and rituals.

Being a monk was never part of our Lord and Savior’s Church.

 

What about the practice of shaving their head (known as tonsure), such as in the Greco-Roman monasteries? Is this a true Christian practice, or did it develop from somewhere else?

“Both men and women traditionally had their hair cut or removed in specific ways when they entered a monastery or convent. … Monks and nuns also take a vow of celibacy, and hair has historically been associated with eroticism and sexuality, and as a means to attract the opposite sex. …

Partial shaving may have its origins in ancient Egypt, Greece, and other places where men shaved a circular bald spot on top of their heads to honor the sun god. …” 9

Well, apparently, this ridiculous practice has existed for a very long time ── it is something that is prohibited by the Lord our God ── 

“And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them … 5) ‘They shall NOT make any bald place on their heads, …’” – Leviticus 21:1, 5.

“’ But the priests, the Levites, … 20) They SHALL NEITHER SHAVE THEIR HEADS NOR LET THEIR HAIR GROW LONG, but they shall keep their hair well trimmed.’” – Ezekiel 44:15, 20. 

I looked into and studied the Catholic Bible Version in my library ── these Scriptures are in there as well! What do the Catholics do with these Scriptures? Oh, that’s right, they’re “Jewish” ── I say with a bit of sarcasm. 

Despite what our Lord, GOD Most High, says in His living and immutable word, certain ones continue to make up their own version of how to be a good and faithful begotten child of God ── instead of God’s Way. Religiously, shaving one's head ── in any style ── is against the LORD God’s direct command. Anciently, some pagan priests shaved their heads for religious purposes regarding the worship of a sun-god. This certainly is why the LORD God prohibits it.

So, how is a true Christian to live?

The following are but a few summary Scriptures from God’s indelible word ──

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR GOD [reverently] AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, For this is man’s all. 14) For God will bring [eventually; at Judgement] every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.” – Ecclesiastes 13:13-14. 

“’ He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?’” – Micah 6:8. 

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ── the same living God of the Old Testament (cf. John 1:1-3, 14) also tells everyone ──

“’ Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.’” – Matthew 7:12. 

“ … ‘ But if you want to enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS. …’” – Matthew 19:17-19.

“’ IF YOU LOVE ME [or, are ‘loyal to Me’] KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.’” – John 14:15. 

“ …’ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. REPENT, AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL.’” – Mark 1:15. 

And the Apostle Paul, while he was in Athens standing amid the Areopagus ── under divine inspiration ── he said, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but NOW COMMANDS ALL MEN everywhere to repent.” – Acts 17:30. 

So, God’s living word shows us that living the life of a monk is in direct contrast to what the Lord, GOD Most High, desires for us. 

It is so sad that so many who claim to be Christian DO NOT OBEY THE LORD GOD! And, so many end-time so-called Christians DO NOT hold to the right teachings when it comes to loving others. 

Do not be like them.

The LORD God has a Master Plan for you! Do not sell yourself short by living the life of a monk. □

Bibliography

1 Cartwright, M., The Daily Life of Medieval Monks, World History Encyclopedia®, Retrieved 14 May 2025. 

2 NeuroLaunch editorial team, Living Alone and Mental Health: Exploring the Potential Impacts and Coping Strategies, NeuroLaunch, 16 Feb. 2025.

3 yogalista88, Buddhist Morality: The Ten Precepts, Quizlet, 7 April 2024. Reviewed 14 May 2025. 

4 How Do Monks Make Money? (7 Sources Explored), AmplifyXL, Retrieved 14 May 2025.

5 Can Homosexuals Ordain as Buddhist Monks?, American Monk, 21 April 2024. 

6 Be sure to listen to our audio article, “You’re Not Welcome Here!”     

7 Charles George Herbermann, The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol X, “Monasticism,” Knights of Columbus Special Edition ©1913, The Catholic Press, Inc., pages 467, 468. 

8 Ibid. (7) pgs. 472, 473.

9 Sherrow, Victoria. Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History. Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc., 2006.