Dennis Okholm, an accomplished evangelical theologian, has for decades taken retreats and spiritual direction from the Roman Catholic monastic order of the Benedictines. Here he draws on years of experiences and centuries of Benedictine tradition to show how the famous Rule of St. Benedict--a down- to-earth guide to living the holy life--can enrich Protestant laypersons no less than Catholic monks.
Wearing his scholarship lightly and unobtrusively, Okholm helps his readers learn about the basic history and principles of Benedictine monasticism. But he focuses on how Benedict's guidance on silence, prayer, humility, and much else can enliven Christian lives today.
Winsome and candid, this book is the perfect entryway for the Protestant who has wondered about the riches of Roman Catholic monasticism, but never quite known how to approach it.
Kathleen Norris (author of The Cloister Walk) says this in the foreword: "Today, in any Benedictine guest house, one will encounter laypeople and clergy from a wide range of denominations. . . . Given this great diversity, the monastery choir and guest quarters become in effect ad-hoc ecumenical assemblies where Christians can enjoy what they have in common--the psalms, the gospels, and the Lord's Prayer--and not worry too much about what divides them. As a knowledgeable pastor and theologian, Dennis Okholm proves an excellent guide to this phenomenon, offering a fresh perspective on what attracts Protestants to monasteries. He demonstrates that it is not just another case of Americans shopping around for their spirituality, but a genuine reclaiming of the taproot of Christianity, a reconnecting with a religious tradition and way of life that predates all of the schisms in Christendom. His afterword, a reflection on the Protestant reformers and their original objections to monasticism, is particularly valuable. This memoir, gentle in tone and often humorous, is nonetheless full of challenges to Protestant comfort zones. . . . It is especially important that we now hear from Dennis Okholm, who reminds us that for all Christians, good spiritual habits are good for our spiritual health; that 'scripture is the original rule'; and that Christ is the point of it all, our true beginning and our end."
Tony Jones (national coordinator of Emergent Village) says, "Twenty years in the making, Dennis Okholm's Monk Habits is the perfect introduction to Benedictine spirituality for the earnest Protestant believer. In taking us on his own journey, he invites us to discover Benedict of Nursia and Benedict's myriad faithful followers over fifteen centuries. This represents an important bridge between evangelicalism and Catholicism. Highly recommended."
Mark A. Noll (coauthor of Is the Reformation Over? ) says, "The practices of Benedictine monasticism have several times brought revitalization and spiritual focus back to the worldwide church at large. In this informative and irenic book, Dennis Okholm explains how the 'rule' of Benedict did the same for him personally as an evangelical professor and Presbyterian minister. The book's winsome portrait of the Benedictines--and, through their monastic practices, of Christ--makes for a spiritual feast. The historically minded will also benefit from Okholm's careful discussion of why more Protestants should pay greater heed to the Benedictine life."
Publishers Weekly reviewed this book as follows: "Readers might not think that poverty, chastity and obedience would be attractive to the common Protestant, but Okholm . . . will make them think twice. Although he is a Presbyterian, Okholm is comfortable with Catholicism and realistic about the benefits and burdens of both denominations. He finds in Benedictine monasticism a helpful path to holiness, and he avoids idealizing or romanticizing the monastic life. This is why his work succeeds as a guide for the common Christian. Okholm is wise to point out that St. Benedict's Rule, the text upon which his vision of monastic life is built, is both challenging and down-to- earth. The author invites readers to integrate some monastic practices into their daily lives and stresses that this does not involve cloistering themselves- these practices are both ordinary and sacred. He also provides an excellent example for Catholics and Protestants alike to dig deeply into the Christian tradition and find how both can spiritually benefit from the other. Okholm provides a 'Historical Afterword' to address why Protestants initially rejected the monastic life. This is a fascinating and, considering its brevity, surprisingly detailed overview that readers should not pass up."
Dwight A. Moody (Dallas Morning News) says, "This book--Monk Habits for Everyday People--is the story of what [Okholm] learned and what he wants to teach others. He has chapters on poverty, obedience, humility, hospitality, stability and balance. The one on obedience was most challenging for me and the one on stability the most attractive. It is not a long book and it is not hard to read. . . . Addendums on historic Protestant resistance to monasticism and suggestions for both reading and practicing Benedictine spirituality make the book attractive and practical. It certainly is a worthy antidote to the hyper- energized and over-activated model of Christian work and worship-Jesus on steroids-so prominent among many Protestants, especially Pentecostals and Evangelicals."
Table of Contents:
1. What's a Good (Protestant Evangelical) Boy Doin' in a Monastery?
2. Why Benedictine Spirituality for Protestants?
3. Learning to Listen
4. Poverty: Sharing the Goods
5. Obedience: Objectifying Providence
6. Humility: Letting Go of the Mask
7. Hospitality: The Guest as Christ
8. Stability: Staying Put to Get Somewhere
9. Balance: God in Everything
10. To Change the World!
Afterword: Why the Protestant Reformers Opposed Monasticism
Suggested ReadingSuggestions for Practicing Benedictine SpiritualityNotes
[Click here for an excerpt of this book]
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