An informative study of how Christians have attempted to deepen their faith through life in religious communities, in both monastic and evangelical traditions.

From the very beginning some Christians have wanted to go all the way rather than asking: 'What must I do to be a Christian?' have asked instead: 'What can I do to be more Christian?' These highly intentional Christians have had an impact on the development of both Christianity and western civilisation that has been completely out of proportion to their numbers. Their greatest impact has come through communities of like-minded believers whether of lay evangelicals or of celibate monastics formed upon a common desire to live more intentional Christian lives. This probing work tells the story of these communities, both monastic and lay. It is a story that, though often overlooked, is both inspiring and instructive. Above all it is a story that opens the way for greater understanding between two groups of Christians who have long been estranged Protestant evangelicals and Catholic monastics.