April 30, 2008 at 4:02 am
· Filed under Uncategorized and tagged: monastic, monasticism, new monasticism
I’m team-teaching a course at Bethel Seminary in 2009 with Dr. Chris Armstrong, Professor of Church History. The course will explore common themes of monasticism throughout history, and explore the ways in which the monastic tradition is being appropriated in contemporary ministry.
Perhaps some of you can help me out: what are some books that appropriate monastic wisdom for contemporary ministry? I’m familiar with Karen Sloan’s Flirting with Monasticism, Scott Besennecker’s the New Friars, and the works of folks like Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. What else would you recommend?
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Joel wrote @ April 30, 2008 at 5:51 am
I read a book called “A Monk In The World” about four or five years ago that I really enjoyed. I am sure anything by Thomas Merton would be good. I found his “Seven Story Mountain” excellent. While it is not about monasticism per se, it is about his journey to the monastery. Therese of Lisieux’s “Story Of A Soul” is a hundred years out of date, but is still a fabulous book with tremendous insight. Of course there are timeless jewels of wisdom in Thomas a’Kempis’ “The Imitation of Christ.” I used to read a few paes of that book every morning as soon as I got to work with another Christian man I shared an office with and found it to be very fruitfull.
For starters:
Joan Chittester’s WISDOM DISTILLED FROM THE DAILY
Basil Pennington’s A PLACE APART: MONASTIC PRAYER AND PRACTICE FOR EVERYONE.
I compiled a bibliography of resources related to the “new monasticism” last year for a conference that we hosted. I’d be glad to email you an electronic copy of that if you want.
Chris Smith
Doulos Christou Books
Indianapolis
Well, you have mentioned most I would have mentioned, so not sure I have much to add. If you are looking to new monasticism, you might look to some of the mendicant orders, such a Franciscan’s, as they have more in common with new monasticism than traditional monasticism. Also, if you are interested, there is a master thesis written about YWAM needing to develop a theology of place, drawing from the monastic/mendicant traditions. Email me if you are interested.
Peace,
Jamie
Kyle wrote @ April 30, 2008 at 10:02 pm
The Missio Dei Breviary is really good.
Derek wrote @ May 2, 2008 at 3:33 am
If you’re going to be talking about how the historic monastic stream is appropriated and embodied today I don’t know how you can’t mention the emergence of contemporary missional orders.
Urban Neighbours of Hope
http://www.unoh.org
“Collective Witness: A Theology and Praxis for a Missional Order” also other books by Ashley Barker
InnerCHANGE within CRM
http://www.crmleaders.org/ministries/innerchange/inside-innerchange
John Hayes book “Sub-merge: Living Deep in a Shallow World”
The 24-7 Prayer and Monastic Movement
http://www.24-7prayer.com/
Andy Freeman and Pete Grieg’s book “Punk Monk: New Monasticism and the Ancient Art of Breathing”
Those are some off the top of my head. I’d love to chat more about all of this. I’ve been reading up on this for the last 4-5 years or so. Blessings!!
James wrote @ May 3, 2008 at 12:44 am
The following books are relatively short (80-200 pages each) but contain a depth that takes a while to unpack as well as many practical implications for living out the Christian life in the world.
Finding Sanctuary: Monastic Steps for Everyday Life by Abbot Christopher Jamison
Instruments Of Christ: Reflections On The Peace Prayer Of Saint Francis Of Assisi by Albert Haase
St. Francis and the Cross: Reflections on Suffering, Weakness, and Joy by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa and Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini
I would also recommend the film: Into Great Silence about the highly ascetic Carthusian monastery in France.
Dany wrote @ May 4, 2008 at 5:21 pm
The (lenghty) MP3 series on Chritian communities throughout history by Charles Ringma might be quite good, or so I’m told.
jenell wrote @ May 5, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I love Joan Chittster’s Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today.
Gus wrote @ May 7, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Not exactly monastic in the traditional sense of the word but Bonhoeffer’s Life Together seems to me to be one that should at least be considered. Nouwen’s Genesse Diary gives a great peek into the day to day. Those are the one’s that I’ve read that really jump to the front of my mind. God Bless - I’ll look forward to reading about how the class works out
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