There is now a growing movement to revive evangelicalism by reclaiming parts of Roman Catholic tradition - including monasticism.
Why am I not surprised?
There are times when the monastic life is very appealing to me.
Fasting, asceticism, contemplation and meditation are part of every religious tradition, so I’m not surprised that it’s been taken up by protestant evangelicals.
Traditionally, protestants lean toward mission work and tithing as their form of service, rather than serving in an established monastic order, but the impulse to immerse oneself in religious contemplation is universal — Buddhists have monks, as do Catholics (obviously), Hindus have ascetics, Islam has Sufis and Dervishes, Jews have ... well, I honestly don’t know the term, but they do have people who devote their life to religious contemplation and selfless service.
Can you Freep in a monestary?
With the world the way it is, I can see why someone would want to become a monk.
I’m an Evangelical and believe in the core tenets of the Reformation...however, I am the first to admit that we have missed out on experiencing God on a much deeper level by not exercising all of the spiritual disciplines. We love Bible study and prayer, but forget that there are many, many more things Christians can do to grow in grace. Men like Dallas Willard and Richard Foster, IMO, have brought Evangelicalism full circle by reintroducing these things.
A family attending a weekend retreat is hardly monastic.