Introduction
We must cling to age-old truths in a rapidly secularizing world fractured by identity politics. The Benedict Option (Sentinel, 2017) by the Eastern Orthodox journalist Rod Dreher (b. 1967) suggests a strategy of withdrawal and renewal inspired by Benedictine monasticism—a refuge amidst chaos. He based his book concept on this quote by the Roman Catholic philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre (b. 1929): "If the tradition of the virtues was able to survive the horrors of the last dark ages, we are not entirely without hope . . . We are waiting not for a Godot but for another—doubtless very different—St. Benedict." But how does this Benedictine approach harmonize with the Evangelical focus on individual conversion and the Wesleyan pursuit of holiness and societal change? And how does it mesh with the distributist ideal of economic fairness, promoting small, enduring communities? This epilogue regards a future where these viewpoints intersect, forging a comprehensive and optimistic way forward.
Exploring this convergence means examining how different yet complementary perspectives can effectively address current challenges. The Benedictine emphasis on intentional community and spiritual depth resonates with the Evangelical zeal for personal growth. Moreover, the Wesleyan commitment to social justice and holiness can enrich the distributist focus on fair, localized economies. By integrating these elements, we can formulate a comprehensive and unified response to the complexities of modern life. Adopting this multifaceted approach facilitates the establishment of spiritually vibrant, economically just, and socially transformative communities, paving the way for a future that honors age-old wisdom and contemporary needs.
Wesley's Vision: Personal & Social Holiness
The Wesleyan tradition highlights the importance of personal and social holiness, resulting from the eighteenth-century revival movements. John Wesley (1703–1791) famously stated, "There is no holiness but social holiness." While the idea of secluding oneself from society, as suggested in The Benedict Option, may appear contradictory to the mission of societal transformation, we would do better to see it as a method of reforming the world from within—a deliberate step back to fortify our impact.
According to this perspective, Wesleyan believers are not interested in forming self-contained virtuous communities. Their goal is also to foster spiritual and social revival that spreads the love of Christ outward. Just as Wesley preached in open fields, bringing the gospel to areas of need, modern Evangelicals can also adopt the Benedict Option to prepare themselves for service. Communities centered on spiritual practices and purposeful living are platforms for nurturing individuals to become messengers of grace and truth. The emphasis on holiness is not about seclusion but about bringing about change—within individuals and society. Wesleyan theology challenges us to consider: How can our communities shine as examples of love, justice, and truth in a world searching for hope?
Confronting injustice and advocating for the innocent is essential. Despite the challenging nature of politics, we Christians have achieved significant success in the public arena. There is a noticeable change happening regarding crucial topics such as homosexuality and abortion, indicating a shift in societal perspectives and legal structures. These triumphs are not merely minor adjustments but essential landmarks in the more significant battle for justice and ethical principles. By actively participating in public discourse, our dedication to these issues can facilitate additional advancements and motivate others to support the creation of a society that respects the worth and dignity of all individuals.
Distributism: An Economy of Solidarity
Distributism, championed by the Roman Catholic thinkers G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) and Hilaire Belloc (1870–1953), critiques unchecked capitalism and oppressive socialism. It envisions an economy where the government evenly distributes property, small businesses and local economies thrive, and corporations prioritize human dignity over profit. How does this economic vision intersect with the Benedict Option? For more information about distributism, see our article, "Biblical Case for Distributism."
The Benedictine emphasis on community and simplicity aligns closely with distributist ideals. Rather than endorsing large, anonymous markets overseen by remote authorities, distributism promotes local economies that enable individuals to thrive in their professions and connections. From a distributist perspective, the Benedict Option is not solely a retreat for spiritual purposes but also a transformation in economic practices. Communities embracing the Benedict Option could nurture local economies that eschew the materialism prevalent in contemporary society, opting instead to promote a culture of responsibility and well-being.
Evangelicals view the economic standpoint as a matter of justice. Wesley demonstrated profound empathy for the less fortunate, emphasizing the importance of uniting faith and actions. A Christian distributist community aims to revive spirituality and promote economic fairness by establishing structures that prioritize reevaluating labor and protecting the marginalized. In the United States, the American Solidarity Party advocates the distributist position, named after the Solidarity (Polish: Solidarność) trade union that contributed to the downfall of communism in Poland.
A New Approach to the Benedict Option
The Benedict Option, inspired by Wesleyan Evangelical zeal and distributist economic ideals, offers a way that steers clear of isolation and defeat. It urges Christians to form deliberate communities with spiritual vibrance and social justice. These communities act as sanctuaries for renewal and revitalization, where the world's fractures can begin to heal. Although this vision requires effort and entails sacrifices, devotion, and complete adherence to the teachings of Jesus, it also promises the opportunity for deep joy. These communities strive to seamlessly blend faith and work, worship and equity, and—most of all—prayer and advocacy.
Within these societies, the church can once again emphasize its prophetic role. Just like in Wesley's time, it has the potential to illuminate a world in dire need of it—not by retreating, but by standing resolute, led by timeless wisdom, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Let this proposal serve as an invitation to reevaluate the Benedict Option from the perspectives of Wesleyan and distributist principles—an invitation to endure the challenges ahead and flourish as a community defined by hope, honesty, and fairness.
Conclusion
Initially perceived as a retreat from the secular world, we can reimagine the Benedict Option as a holistic framework that integrates spiritual richness with proactive engagement in shaping societal transformation. Combining the Benedictine emphasis on intentional community, the Wesleyan dedication to individual and communal holiness, and the distributist principle of equitable economies, a more nuanced and pragmatic strategy unfolds. This strategy addresses individual and communal spiritual needs and economic and social justice issues, providing a dynamic and comprehensive response to contemporary challenges. Sean H. T. Domencic, at the Tradistae blog, says, "An intentional community is integralism on a small scale. It is not a retreat from political engagement, but a springboard for holy men and women as they work together in building a better world."
The fusion of these perspectives offers a compelling model for modern Christian life that embraces the richness of ancient traditions while innovatively addressing the complexities of today's world. It invites believers to build communities that are not only sanctuaries of renewal but also active agents of change, reflecting a commitment to faith and action. As we navigate the fractures and uncertainties of our time, this integrated vision encourages us to cultivate environments where Christian faith, justice, and economic fairness intersect, fostering a future marked by resilience, hope, and profound transformation.
There is a profound hope rooted in faith in these challenging modern times, where darkness seems pervasive. Simon Peter reminds us, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Pet. 3:15). This hope assures us that the battle for Christian influence in America is not lost. We can fortify our presence and impact by diligently building local infrastructure, fostering strong community bonds, and establishing resilient institutions. The steadfast and united church will ultimately overcome the "gates of Hades" as Jesus promised (see Matt. 16:18), demonstrating hope and faith will prevail even in the most trying times. We do well in recalling MacIntyre's "very different St. Benedict" and continue speaking in the public square. However, we must also be ready to withdraw, as Dreher suggests, when we become too much like the world around us, forsaking the gospel for temporary sociopolitical victories. For more on this theme, see our biographies for Matthew of Capernaum and Simon the Zealot, apostles of Jesus who started on different sides of the political spectrum.
Bibliography
American Solidarity Party. "Platform & Principles." https://www.solidarity-party.org/platform.
Belloc, Hilaire. The Servile State. Edinburgh: Foulis, 1912.
Bruenig, Elizabeth. "City of Rod." Democracy: A Journal of Ideas. March 1, 2017. https://democracyjournal.org/magazine/city-of-rod.
Chalk, Casey. "Catholic Economics for the 21st Century." Crisis Magazine. August 2, 2023. https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/catholic-economics-for-the-21st-century.
Chesterton, G. K. The Outline of Sanity. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1927.
Clark, Charles. "The Economics of Distributism." Crisis Magazine, May 16, 2012.
DeVille, Adam A. J. "Reading Rod Dreher's Benedict Option with MacIntyre and Schmemann." Catholic World Report. May 5, 2017. https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2017/05/05/reading-rod-drehers-benedict-option-with-macintyre-and-schmemann.
⸻. "Would Alasdair MacIntyre Live in a 'Benedict Option' Community?" Catholic World Report. July 14, 2015. https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2015/07/14/would-alasdair-macintyre-live-in-a-benedict-option-community.
Domencic, Sean H. T. "'A New Set of Social Forms': Alasdair MacIntyre on the 'Benedict Option.'" Tradistae. April 21, 2020. https://tradistae.wordpress.com/2020/04/21/macintyre-benop.
⸻. "What Is an Intentional Community?" Tradistae. September 27, 2019. https://tradistae.wordpress.com/2019/09/27/define-intcomm.
Dreher, Rod. The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation. New York: Sentinel, 2017.
⸻. "Benedict Option FAQ." The American Conservative. October 6, 2015. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/benedict-option-faq.
⸻. "Benedict Option Omnibus." The American Conservative. January 6, 2016. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/benedict-option-omnibus.
⸻. "The Benedict Option's Vision for a Christian Village." Christianity Today. February 17, 2017. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/march/benedict-options-vision-for-christian-village.html.
⸻. Crunchy Cons: The New Conservative Counterculture and Its Return to Roots. eBook. New York: Crown, 2010.
⸻. "The Meaning of the Benedict Option." The American Conservative. August 8, 2018. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/meaning-of-the-benedict-option.
Gordon, Mark. "Getting Practical with the Benedict Option." Plough. August 10, 2018. https://www.plough.com/en/topics/community/intentional-community/getting-practical-with-the-benedict-option#.
Libresco, Leah. Building the Benedict Option: A Guide to Gathering Two or Three Together in His Name. San Francisco: Ignatius, 2018.
MacIntyre, Alasdair. After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory. Third ed. Notre Dame, IN: Univ. of Notre Dame Press, 2007. p. 263.
Meador, Jake. "Reviewing Rod Dreher's 'The Benedict Option.'" Mere Orthodoxy. March 14, 2017. https://mereorthodoxy.com/book-review-the-benedict-option-rod-dreher.
Médaille. John C. "An Introduction to Distributism." The Distributist Review. January 11, 2024. https://distributistreview.com/archive/an-introduction-to-distributism.
⸻. "The Economics of Distributism." The Imaginative Conservative. September 2, 2010. https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2010/09/economics-of-distributism-part-i-john-medaille.html.
⸻. "The Economics of Distributism III: Equity and Equilibrium." The Imaginative Conservative. September 7, 2010. https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2010/09/economics-of-distributism-iii-equity.html.
⸻. "The Economics of Distributism II: Political Economy as a Science." The Imaginative Conservative. September 3, 2010. https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2010/09/economics-of-distributism-ii-political.html.
⸻. "The Economics of Distributism IV: Property and the Just Wage." The Imaginative Conservative. September 10, 2010. https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2010/09/economics-of-distributism-iv-property.html.
⸻. "The Economics of Distributism V: The Practice of Distributism." The Imaginative Conservative. September 11, 2010. https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2010/09/economics-of-distributism-v-practice-of.html.
Pearce, Joseph. "What is Distributism? A Controversial Alternative to Socialism and Plutocracy." Crisis Magazine. June 16, 2014. https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/distributism-understanding-controversial-alternative-socialism-plutocracy.
Powell, Bill. "Capitalist? Socialist? Distributist." Crisis Magazine. October 20, 2008. https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/capitalist-socialist-distributist.
Renn, Aaron M., and John Hirschauer. "Christians in the Moral Minority." Produced by City Journal. 10 Blocks, August 21, 2024. Podcast, MP3 audio, 20:45. https://www.city-journal.org/multimedia/christians-in-the-moral-minority.
Richert, Scott P. "The Real Benedict Option." Crisis Magazine. July 11, 2017. https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/real-benedict-option.
Salter, Alexander W. The Political Economy of Distributism: Property, Liberty, and the Common Good. Washington, DC: Catholic Univ. of America Press, 2023.
Schlueter, Nathan. "Distributism: A Third Way." The Imaginative Conservative. February 17, 2014.
Shapiro, Edward S. "A Distributist Society." Crisis Magazine. January 1, 1984. https://crisismagazine.com/vault/a-distributist-society.
Wax, Trevin. "The Benedict Option: Good Strategy, Bad Posture." The Gospel Coalition. March 20, 2017. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/my-take-on-the-benedict-option-good-as-a-strategy-bad-as-a-posture.
Weber, Dane J., and Donald P. Goodman III, eds. The Distributism Debate. Woodbridge, VA: Goretti, 2006.
Comments