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?

Bonus Resources

• Videos
  • Democracy and a Nation that Trusts God
  • Reflections on Shocking Abortion Numbers
  • Reflections on the Hookup Culture
  • Reflections on the Childfree Life
  • Porn and the Curse of Total Sexual Freedom
• DVD's
  • CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players (Word on Fire)
  • CATHOLICISM series (Word On Fire)
  • Faith Clips (Word On Fire)
•  Articles   
  • "How St. Benedict Reshaped the Culture" (Father Steve Grunow)
  • "The Benedict Option and the Identity/Relevance Dilemma" (Bishop Barron)
  • "A Secular Europe and the Mission of the Church" (Bishop Barron)
• Books
  • The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation by Rod Dreher
  • The Priority of Christ by Bishop Barron
  • The Strangest Way by Bishop Barron

• Study Program 
  • The Mystery of God: Who God Is and Why He Matters (Bishop Barron)
  • CATHOLICISM: The Pivotal Players Study Guide (Word on Fire)

• Websites
  • Word On Fire (Bishop Barron)
  • DailyCatholicGospel.com (Bishop Barron)

Find bonus links and resources for this episode at http://WordOnFireShow.com and, again, be sure to submit your questions at http://AskBishopBarron.