Religious Life and Vows

"Are religious orders biblical?"

3 Scripture passages2 objections answered2 Church Father quotes

The Short Answer

Monks, nuns, and religious take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to follow Christ more closely. This radical lifestyle has deep biblical roots.

Quick Overview

Imagine being so in love with Christ that you want to give Him everything—your money, your body, your will. That's religious life. Monks and nuns take vows to be free FOR God, not just free FROM things. They anticipate heaven, where we'll have Christ alone.

Biblical Evidence

What the Scriptures say

Matthew 19:21

"If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor... and come, follow me."

Why This Matters

Jesus invites the rich young man to radical poverty and discipleship—the heart of religious life.

Acts 2:44-45

"All that believed, were together, and had all things common. Their possessions and goods they sold, and divided them to all."

Why This Matters

The early Church lived in community, sharing possessions—a model for religious communities.

1 Corinthians 7:8

"I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I."

Why This Matters

Paul recommends the celibate life he himself lives—the life of religious vows.

What the Church Teaches

Official Catholic doctrine

Religious life is a consecration to God through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. It is a sign of the world to come and an anticipation of heavenly life (CCC 914-916).

Common Objections

Questions answered

Early Church Fathers

What the first Christians believed

St. Anthony of Egypt

c. 285 AD

"I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world, and I said groaning, 'What can get through such snares?' Then I heard a voice: 'Humility.'"

— Sayings of the Desert Fathers

St. Basil the Great

c. 360 AD

"Community life is necessary for those who wish to live the Gospel life radically."

— Longer Rules, Prologue

Celibacy

Heaven

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