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I bought a copy of this book. I would encourage the rest of you to do the same. Not as a sanction of what is written therein but as an educational resource. There is a lot of good information and thought provoking ideas in the book!

Dreher moved to his home town in the country after writing that book but moved back to the city not much later.

I guess he didn't want to take the Benedict Option himself.

Ernie wrote:I bought a copy of this book. I would encourage the rest of you to do the same. Not as a sanction of what is written therein but as an educational resource. There is a lot of good information and thought provoking ideas in the book!

I agree, he has revived a number of good concepts.

Of course the Bible is the ultimate source.

Ken Miller wrote several pieces recently inspired by the book, which I have not read.

http://millercase.org/home/updates/123- ... ption.html

http://millercase.org/home/updates/124- ... nuted.html

He seems mildly critical of book, saying perhaps we should go back further than Benedict to the Sermon the Mount for example.

mike wrote:Ken Miller wrote several pieces recently inspired by the book, which I have not read.

http://millercase.org/home/updates/123- ... ption.html

http://millercase.org/home/updates/124- ... nuted.html

He seems mildly critical of book, saying perhaps we should go back further than Benedict to the Sermon the Mount for example.

To me that seems realistic rather than mildly critical.

I really disagree with the idea Christians should cloister themselves in villages to avoid the world.

If that's the right thing to do, we need to all become Amish or Hutterites.

Josh wrote:I really disagree with the idea Christians should cloister themselves in villages to avoid the world.
If that's the right thing to do, we need to all become Amish or Hutterites.

i think it's ok for you to think like this. i also believe the world benefits from from those who choose to "cloister" themselves, too. the world would not be a better place without these various folks. (my opinion.)

silentreader wrote:

mike wrote:Ken Miller wrote several pieces recently inspired by the book, which I have not read.

http://millercase.org/home/updates/123- ... ption.html

http://millercase.org/home/updates/124- ... nuted.html

He seems mildly critical of book, saying perhaps we should go back further than Benedict to the Sermon the Mount for example.

To me that seems realistic rather than mildly critical.

I agree. As with any proposal of a concept, Dreher's proposal has many details that haven't been sorted out. Like any concept, it will develop over time. This one will also require a number of like-minded individuals to join in with the formation of such a group. It's been tried before. Some flourish. Some don't.

God gave us the Free Will to discern and to choose the kind of authentic Biblical discipleship we are called to live. Different groups provide different means for living out the authentic discipleship call, be it in Hutterian community or independent fellowships of Mennonites, Brethren, etc. John 14:2 reminds me of that diversity within Biblical discipleship. Not all were Peter, nor John, nor even Paul. Yet they all helped to shaped the Christian world we live in today. Even if we aren't called to Hutterian community or rural living, we can open our minds and hearts to recognizing that there are those who have discerned this is their call.

Josh wrote:I really disagree with the idea Christians should cloister themselves in villages to avoid the world.

If that's the right thing to do, we need to all become Amish or Hutterites.

There is also the Church as Abbey concept that provides some fascinating food for thought.

Peregrino wrote: There is also the Church as Abbey concept that provides some fascinating food for thought.

Fascinating