Posted on 02/04/2008 5:59:38 AM PST by NYer
I am not bothered with it either and am not critical on this subject. I was just saying it’s not as widespread as the article implies. In fact, the farther along I go on my Christian walk, and the more repulsed I get with the world, the more a monastic life appeals to me. As I recall the monks were not totally isolated and performed many Charitable works in their community. Pretty good witnessing in my book.
I think the most common experience of “monasticism” for American Protestants would be pastors or academics attending educational seminars. It goes in the opposite direction too: Catholic clergy and church employees attend Protestant institutions. In Tulsa, it was not unusual for priests to take courses at Oral Roberts University!
The religious orders were the first orphanages, schools, hospitals, soup kitchens, libraries, and most other charitable foundations in the modern world. I think it was a very poor decision to substitute state-provided “entitlements” for loving Christian service. It damages both the recipients and the providers.
The religious orders were also the first to establish universities.
And I agree that state provided “entitlements” DESTROY the undergirding of the witness of the church.
you wrote:
“I don’t consider a handful of people trying a new fad to be a “growing movement”.”
Well, I think you’ll change your mind in a few years. This is only going to pick up steam. For years now a number of Protestant ministers and laymen have been making retreats at Catholic monasteries such as Clear Creek near Tulsa, OK. Taize is also still quite popular among a number of Protestants. Anglicans in the last few years have reprinted their classic breviary. The signs are there...for those who are open to seeing them.
Yes...like after spending Thanksgiving with my very left wing brothers. LOL!
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Heh. That would definitely qualify as a time for me as well. :)
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