Rod Dreher's The Benedict Option

The scratching of many quill pens can be heard throughout the room. The rustling of papers, the pausing to dip in ink, these are the sounds that mark this building. This the year 700 AD, and these are monks in a little monastery in Ireland. This particular order has stood for hundreds of years, faithfully and quietly living out the Gospel. They arose in the early hours of the morning to spend several hours reciting the Psalms, hymns and Scriptures together, paused, and then did so again. They have eaten a quiet, sober meal together, and then sought to go about their daily labors. Brother Mark has been at his task since, copying the precious manuscript of the Rule of Saint Benedict. It is nearing the evening meal, and if you had been at this work, you would

While many have joined in on the discussion, Rod Dreher remains the chief proponent. Thus, this paper will be (at least roughly) using his definition, which is as follows: “The Benedict Option — or “Ben Op” — is an umbrella term for Christians who accept MacIntyre’s critique of modernity, and who also recognize that forming Christians who live out Christianity according to Great Tradition requires embedding within communities and institutions dedicated to that formation.” To put it in a even more succinct form: “The Benedict option is the idea that christendom need’s return to it’s ancient roots, exemplified by Saint Benedict. It is common to characterize the Benedict option as a form withdrawal or retreat from cultural engagement. That is simply not the case. No proponent of the Benedict option is making this argument, it is merely a caricature. To build a type a Christianity that is build on benedictine roots, we must look to Rule of Benedict. In the remaining portion of the paper, the two thirds or so will look at the Rule, and the rest will explore how we can begin to apply the principles found within