Nesmith Library

The Benedict option, a strategy for Christians in a post-Christian nation, Rod Dreher

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 247-255) and index

index present

non fiction

The Benedict option

bibliography

Rod Dreher

a strategy for Christians in a post-Christian nation

American Christianity is in decline. From the outside, churches are beset by challenges to religious liberty in a rapidly secularizing culture. From the inside, they are being hollowed out by the departure of young people and a watered-down pseudospirituality. Conservative Christian political influence has collapsed. Confused and frightened Christians wonder: What went wrong? What?s next? Do we have a future in post-Christian America? Rod Dreher argues that the way forward is actually the way back?all the way back to Saint Benedict of Nursia. This sixth-century monk, horrified by the decadence of Rome, retreated to the forest and created a new way of life for Christians under Barbarian rule. He and his fellow monks built resilient communities based on principles of order, hospitality, stability, and prayer. By creating spiritual centers of hope that were strongholds of light through the Dark Ages, they saved not just Christianity, but Western Civilization. The Benedict Option is for Christians who know something has gone terribly wrong but don?t know what to do about it. This book offers hope and a plan for surviving and thriving in the chaos and growing darkness of our time

Introduction: The awakening -- The great flood -- The roots of the crisis -- A rule for living -- A new kind of Christian politics -- A church for all seasons -- The idea of a Christian village -- Education as Christian formation -- Preparing for hard labor -- Eros and the new Christian counterculture -- Man and the machine -- Conclusion: the Benedict decision