There is a movement underway, in some places quite significant and in others not yet significant, but it seems to be growing. It can threaten, it can transform, and it can provoke. It is called "new monasticism." I'm wondering if you are encountering it or encountering Christians who are pondering the new monasticism. What do you know about it? ny issues? What is it? Here's a brief on it:
In School(s) for Conversion: 12 Marks of a New Monasticism, a variety of folks lay out the themes of new monasticism.
There are twelve themes in this new movement, most clearly expressed at NewMonasticism.org. This book comes out of Rutba House in Durham, NC. Each chp is written by a different person.
1. Relocation to the abandoned places of Empire.
2. Sharing economic resources with fellow community members and the needy.
3. Hospitality to the stranger.
4. Lamen for racial divisions and pursuit of a just reconciliation.
5. Humble submission to Christ's Body, the church.
6. Intentional formation in the way of Christ and the rule of the community.
7. Nurturing common life among members.
8. Support for celibate singles alongside monogamous marrieds and children.
9. Geographical proximity to community members.
10. Care for the plot of God's earth given to us.
11. Peacemaking in the midst of violence and conflict resolution.
12. Commitment to a disciplined contemplative life.
Is this the 60s and 70s again? Is this part of the emerging movement? Is this a cultural critique or an ecclesial critique?
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Ben,
That explains it ... it was on their website and not from my summary.
I can't speak for all NM ecumenism, but my own experience is that it not a soft-peddling of theology so much as a Christians on different paths committed to doing missional work together. That, I think, is how the NM tends to do "ecumenical" work at the "grassroots" level; I doubt very much this is a theological exploration into the lowest common denominator.
Scot,
Once again, it is a matter of words taken at face value.
"Ecumenical" applies to the unification of that which is named "Christian."
"Ecumenism" refers to the unification of all religions worldwide.
So, which one is it? Is one prefereable to the other? Or are both bad?
Is New Monasticism for the grassroots unification of all things Christian? Or for the grassroots unification of all things religious?
I don't think your last question is one that can be answered with a blanket statement. Much like there is no across-the-board concensus of the ultimate beliefs of the "emerging church", there is no way to declare an across-the-board belief for the neuvo-monastic movement in regards to their perspective on denominational beliefs or world religions.
Unfortunately, actually fortunately, we live in a messy and diverse world that is often times unpredictable and beyond categorization. I believe this would be one such instance.
But, much like any topic, it would be good to focus on the multiple layers of the NM movement and not just one. It is simply too easy to write off great ideas as a whole when we simply disagree with only one aspect of them (even when that one aspect is not a blanket statment that holds true to all who espouse the original idea).
Peace!
Benjamin,
In my experience I see a celebration of the broadness of the Christian faith over time. I also see a respectful and honest interaction with other faiths in the spirit of what Tony Jones has recently written about over at the God's Politics blog.
Even within specific communities there is a plurality of views on certain specific issues. These communities are bound by their rule and practices. We see this as a strength, not a cause for concern.
Also, I see a reclaiming of the historic understanding of "ecumenical", not the politicized understanding of the term within what is an irrelevant battle of the artificial Left-Right dichotomy on the fringe of culture. But that's just my take on it.
Peace
The 60s and 70s all over again?
Yes, of course, right down to the grassroots ecumenism.
I just wonder if the current wave will learn something from similar things that happened then, or will the same mistakes be repeated.
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