WOF 072: The Benedict Option

Rod Dreher’s The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation has certainly emerged as the most talked-about religious book of 2017. There is a widely-felt instinct that something has gone rather deeply wrong with the culture and that classical Christianity, at least in the West, is in a bit of a mess. So, do we need the Benedict Option now? In this episode, Bishop Robert Barron discusses the upsides and the pitfalls of employing the Benedict option during these difficult times. The listener question wonders how Christians should engage the political arena.

Topics Discussed

0:17 – Introduction, New announcement regarding Pivotal Players: Volume 2.
3:42 – Has something gone terribly wrong in our society?
4:36 – What are Bishop Barron’s thoughts on the Benedict Option as a proposal?
6:30 – Who was Saint Benedict and how can he help solve our modern problems?
8:50 – How is Noah’s Ark a good symbol for the Benedict Option?
11:23 – What is the identity/relevance dilemma?
13:55 – How does St. John Paul II relate to the Benedict Option?
18:10 – Should the Church pull back on political engagement?
22:05 – Should Christians pull out of society and live in separate communities?
24:30 – Is homeschooling the best option for Christian children?
28:15 – Should we avoid occupations that will force us to compromise our values?
31:20 – Should we avoid technology as Christians?
34:33 – Question from listener: Should Christians be active in the political arena?