The Benedict Option - Book Review
The Benedict Option was a brilliant read. I had been waiting to get my hands on this for a couple of months from the local library (although after reading it, I wish I would have just purchased the book!). I tried not to read too many reviews of the book prior to reading it as there has already been plenty of ink spilled over opinionated thoughts, both good and bad. Not to mention, on many of the online magazines I frequent (e.g. Crisis Magazine, New Advent) there have been exhaustive amount of reviews on the book at this point. The book is divided quite well into 10 different chapters, each of them categorized quite appropriately. Dreher begins the book with the issues at hand that are plaguing the Christian West. He then discusses how we got to where we currently are and why we've arrived in this catastrophic current state of affairs. Yes, aggressive, liberal, 'progressive' secularism is full steam ahead and blasting through Christianity at an alarming rate, almost even faster within the U.S. Then, Dreher begins discussing the 'The Rule' of St Benedict (obviously paraphrasing it, as that is in of itself worthy of a book) and what it means, and how it applies to various aspects of life. The portion I was particularly drawn to was regarding asceticism, likely due to the lack of implementing it seriously in my own life. I've always been quite aware of the ancient and effective practice, but for whatever reason have not actually initiated it into my own life. Dreher dives into the rule with the Benedictine monks of Norcia giving their take on it as they live and practice The Rule regularly in the mountains of Italy. By seeing what these holy men had to say about The Rule and living it, I was able to get a great grasp as to what they were suggesting from their own practical and very tangible experience. Dreher proceeds forward with Christianity in the political realm, and I'll admit, I was apprehensive going into this portion as so many orthodox Christians proclaim that we Christians ought to stay away from politics, which is just ridiculous. Christ is King of the all, which yes, includes politics. The author explains with clarity the need for the Christian presence in politics and government, but doesn't suggest that we ought to take over and mandate a kind of political Christendom. He very explicitly exclaims that it's necessary for the Christian to make the stand in the public and political sphere, which I wholeheartedly agree with. From there the author goes into village/community life as well as education, both which are alluringly romantic and unfortunately seemingly out of reach. Who wouldn't want an orthodox utopia? I know I would love that, and so would any other seriously devout Christian. The reality is that there are communities of like minded practicing Christians (Catholic, Orthodox, orthodox Protestants) living together globally who have had enough and are beginning to establish communities focused on the dignity of each individual man being created in the image and likeness of God as well as establish classical Christian education.
I'll admit that the classical Christian education model is beautifully attractive (likely because it is so ingrained in Western history and civilization) and I feel as if I've missed out on a much more profound/authentic education because I got the 'run of the mill' factory style schooling. Because of books like this as well as anything written by the genius of Anthony Esolen, I am very interested in the classical education arena. Dreher finishes strong with the problem of Man and the Machine, as this is a topic that has been consuming my own thought as of late; the Christian's relationship not necessarily to mechanics, but to technology and it's dramatically negative impact on one's soul and person (even physically). Overall, this is an excellent book that I'd recommend to anyone, as it suggests weathering the storm, not cowering away from the onslaught of rampant liberal secularism. The Benedict Option is an unpopular one and yes it will be scoffed at; but hey, God Incarnate wasn't received too well either, was He? Read the book.
