Monk Habits for Everyday People: Benedictine Spirituality for Protestants

Monk Habits for Everyday People is a very readable and interesting look at how Protestants (and more particularly Evangelicals that are often most interesting in evangelism and salvation) can learn from Benedictines about how to live as Christians. This is an ongoing theme for me this year. Not intentionally, but I think it is something that God is doing in me. As Okholm says near the beginning of the book:"We have become consumers of religion rather than cultivators of a spiritual life; we have spawned an entire industry of Christian kitsch and bookstores full of spiritual junk food that leaves us sated and flabby. As if we believed the infomercial that promises great abs if we just buy the right piece of equipment for $39.95, we think that the secret to being a spiritually fit Christian can be had by finding some secret technique or buying the most recent hot-selling inspirational devotional. Maturity in the Christian life does not come in these ways. The life of the disciple is like that of the athlete who prepares for and runs a marathon. We can have the snazziest running garb, assemble a library full of training schedules and tips, and watch Chariots of Fire each day every day for a year, but while all of these things might help, they will not be a substitute for the unspectacular training and diet that we must engage in if we are going to become mature Christians, "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (Jas. 1:4). It's that way with anything in life--being a concert pianist, a skilled sculptor, or an insightful historian."And this soon after that, "What Benedictines have to offer Protestants in this quest is the lived reminder that the Christian community's ultimate function is to shape individuals who, as disciples of Christ, are being formed into his image."My ongoing project of reading about Catholic theology and spirituality has meant that I keep running into the fact that spiritual growth is not sexy, it is mundane, on-going and often more about what is not seen.The structure of the book is 7 chapters on 7 virtues that Okholm has identified as central to being Benedictine. These are Listening, Poverty, Obedience, Humility, Hospitality, Stability, and Balance. These are not exciting virtues. These are long term.Okholm does his job of bridging the gap between Catholic monks and an evangelical audience well. He grew up in and has taught in the Evangelical world. But he also became a Benedictine Oblate (someone that does not take monastic vows, but attempts to live the life of a Benedictine outside the monastery.)This is a book well worth reading.

Good basic information in an easy to read format. I found the underlying spirituality refreshing. Especially in our often-dark world today, it is good to remember the faith and traditions of those who have experienced similar times of darkness. There is much we can learn from their habits. Especially if you know little to nothing about Benedict and his Rule, this little book is a good place to start.

Great book for getting a practical overview how a monastic life may be applied to daily life. However I mostly subscribe to Brother Lawrence's frame of mind where we must scrap all the rules and near the Presence of our Lord and these disciplines are just a means to an end when there actually is no formula to hearing from our Lord. I do feel strongly that with our raging society of noise and clamor this is a great way to start the journey of getting rid of distractions so that we may near the closeness of our Father so that we may be in the right frame of mind when serving others. I love the respect given to the orders and there is a yearning deep in our hearts to live simply that is so attractive presented beautifully within these pages.

Monk Habits for Everyday People provides a glimpse of Benedictine life, albeit from time-to-time with a caustic view of Evangelical Christianity. The book does contain some helpful insights to communal, Christian living (think church, marriage, ...). The chapter entitled `Stability' - staying put to get somewhere - is worth the price of the entire book, especially applicable to Americans and the wrestles at heart.With Luther, Calvin, and most of the Reformers, I'm not a zealous fan of monasticism and their vows of obedience to the Abbot, to poverty, to celibacy, and to a lifetime committed to one particular monastery. The early form of Monastic Life, where they were schools of learning for others to benefit from, is a bit closer to my taste. Nonetheless, Okholm's reflection on their communities is potentially profitable.

It has been a few years since I went looking for books on the Rule of St. Benedict and Benedictine spirituality. While Esther De Waal's classic <i>Seeking God</i> is still in print (and I am currently re-reading it), I think Dennis Okholm's <i>Monk Habits for Everyday People</i> has become my new first recommendation, the book I would offer someone who knows nothing about St. Benedict or why laypeople, especially Protestant laypeople, would want to hang out with monks. It's clear; it covers the essential themes of Benedict's teaching in a fresh and accessible way; it is directed to a specifically Protestant and even Evangelical audience, with an extensive appendix on the Reformers' critiques of monasticism in their day; and it has an excellent recommended reading list that includes De Waal's book and many others, both popular and more scholarly. I recommend it very highly.

Dennis Okholm does a great job at helping Protestants understand Benedictine spirituality. For those who are challenged to live a more disciplined life this book will help you. You will learn how monks live and how you can apply these disciplines to your own life, for we all can live a more simple and Christ loving life. You will be challenged to listen more than you speak. You will learn what obedience truly is and humility also. You will understand hospitality and stability. You will learn how to balance your life between all the busy that demands your time and spending time with God. To balance being a Mary at the feet of Jesus with your pull to be a Martha who services and cares for everyone.I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the rules of St. Benedict. It is also a good bridge between Protestants and Roman Catholics.

Very interesting and informative. A bit boring in spots. If you are interested in monasticism, it will reveal some of its mysteries.

a good book