The Benedict Option

Christians in America have been witness to the secularizing of our country over the past few decades. It is clear that not only is this process accelerating, but there is a growing anti-Christian sentiment that is clearly seen if you look. So, what are we to do about it?

This is a good start in finding that direction. We must come to the realization that the concept of a Christian America is a futile pipe-dream. And attempting to hold back the tides of change will only serve to hasten the destruction of Christian society as we know it.

It may be time to take the Benedictine Option. Interesting idea with good discussion of it. It may not be the perfect solution, but it has a lot of positives and may be just what we need in this crazy moment.

Rod thinks the world is turning against Christianity, and doing so quickly. For him, the writing is on the wall and further Christian “advancement” is - apart from Divine intervention - not a realistic scenario. According to Rod, it's been 1500 years since the church was ever in this situation in the West, and western churches are ill-prepared - both in terms of orthodoxy and orthopraxis - for the coming secular storm that will sweep anybody who is unprepared away.

Being a reader of Rod's blog, I came to this book knowing what to expect and it didn't let me down. This is a book that doesn't let the reader stay neutral on anything - you won't be allowed to reserve opinion, Rod is much too “in your face” for that (he paints with a very large brush - more like a roller, actually). And seeing as this is Rod's invitation into conversation about the type of stance, lifestyle and orthopraxis that Christians are meant to cultivate in post-Christian nations (I'm not American, so I'll plural that), it's perfect!

It's the conversations that matter; with Rod, while reading the book - and then on his blog as he discusses some of the criticism (and he does backtrack a little from the book in his blog); with the myriad of other Christians, writers, thinkers, heretics, saints etc who have all chimed in to rant or rave or offer their own “option”; and with our family and friends who we lent the book to, just to get their take on it.

Whether the book is right or wrong doesn't matter that much (and Rod obviously thinks he's right), what matters is that for the first time in - what seems like - a long time there is sustained discussion about what it will take for the church to survive in the coming secular storm (or mild secular gust, or the breeze is quite pleasant... etc) with its faith intact. The conversations are what's important because it means that at least people are thinking about the long term survival of the Christian faith and how their kids and grandkids will inherit it, along with its great traditions.

I think Rod succeeded in what he was attempting to do. Not detail a comprehensive plan on how Christians need to live their lives or give guru advise on living the best Christian life now but on prodding Christians to think, to take sides, and to do anything other than nothing - even if it means just talking about the issues at hand.

Short review: This has been a good book to initiate discussion about the purpose and focus on the church, but I think the alarmism (against the wrong things) fundamentally missed the right questions and then gives the wrong answers.

After the first section I thought I would disagree with more than I did. There really is some good there. And I think Dreher is writing out of Christian conviction (even if I think he is wrong) because he really is trying to help the church in the best way that he can. So I think there should be some lauding of his attempt even if the result misses the mark.

I have just over 1700 words in my full review on my blog at http://bookwi.se/benedict-option/