Comments on: The New Monasticism or How Protestantism Lost Sight of the Doctrine of Vocation http://cyberbrethren.com/2009/07/02/the-new-monasticism-or-how-protestantism-lost-site-of-the-doctrine-of-vocation/ Devoted to authentic Lutheranism Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:42:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lindsey http://cyberbrethren.com/2009/07/02/the-new-monasticism-or-how-protestantism-lost-site-of-the-doctrine-of-vocation/comment-page-1/#comment-7418 Lindsey Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:20:51 +0000 http://cyberbrethren.com/?p=2385#comment-7418 I listen to a slew of bands in which the members happen to be Christians and it often comes across in their lyrics. However, most of them don't publicly say they are a "Christian band." They prefer to use the title "Christians in a band", precisely because of this reason. They lyrics are often much deeper and deal with far more important issues in my life because they're not afraid of offending the "Christian band" only crowd. They're simply trying to market and sell great music that happens to be influenced by their faith. I listen to a slew of bands in which the members happen to be Christians and it often comes across in their lyrics. However, most of them don’t publicly say they are a “Christian band.” They prefer to use the title “Christians in a band”, precisely because of this reason. They lyrics are often much deeper and deal with far more important issues in my life because they’re not afraid of offending the “Christian band” only crowd. They’re simply trying to market and sell great music that happens to be influenced by their faith.

]]> By: Follow Friday, Sort of | The Church of Jesus Christ http://cyberbrethren.com/2009/07/02/the-new-monasticism-or-how-protestantism-lost-site-of-the-doctrine-of-vocation/comment-page-1/#comment-7411 Follow Friday, Sort of | The Church of Jesus Christ Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:19:38 +0000 http://cyberbrethren.com/?p=2385#comment-7411 [...] Rev. McCain, at Cyberlutheran, has posted an item this week on The New Monasticism or How Protestantism Lost Sight of the Doctrine of Vocation. [...] [...] Rev. McCain, at Cyberlutheran, has posted an item this week on The New Monasticism or How Protestantism Lost Sight of the Doctrine of Vocation. [...]

]]> By: Tapani Simojoki http://cyberbrethren.com/2009/07/02/the-new-monasticism-or-how-protestantism-lost-site-of-the-doctrine-of-vocation/comment-page-1/#comment-7398 Tapani Simojoki Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:54:23 +0000 http://cyberbrethren.com/?p=2385#comment-7398 A good post with a good point. I was leading a Bible study last night on the subject of every Christian being a "Full-Time Christian Worker", as the claim goes, and this very same point was made in our discussion. I also recall a discussion from my youth about U2 about the time when they gave a widely-publicised interview in which they claimed to be Christians. A friend of mine flatly refused to believe the claim, not because of Bono's foul language on stage or some of the questionable images on album covers, but because they didn't sing Christian music. The same chap had no trouble playing Mozart on his cello, though... A good post with a good point. I was leading a Bible study last night on the subject of every Christian being a “Full-Time Christian Worker”, as the claim goes, and this very same point was made in our discussion.

I also recall a discussion from my youth about U2 about the time when they gave a widely-publicised interview in which they claimed to be Christians. A friend of mine flatly refused to believe the claim, not because of Bono’s foul language on stage or some of the questionable images on album covers, but because they didn’t sing Christian music. The same chap had no trouble playing Mozart on his cello, though…

]]> By: Matt Philllips http://cyberbrethren.com/2009/07/02/the-new-monasticism-or-how-protestantism-lost-site-of-the-doctrine-of-vocation/comment-page-1/#comment-7383 Matt Philllips Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:13:27 +0000 http://cyberbrethren.com/?p=2385#comment-7383 Amen and Amen. Amen and Amen.

]]> By: Ryan http://cyberbrethren.com/2009/07/02/the-new-monasticism-or-how-protestantism-lost-site-of-the-doctrine-of-vocation/comment-page-1/#comment-7377 Ryan Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:07:02 +0000 http://cyberbrethren.com/?p=2385#comment-7377 Lurking beneath the surface of all this "new monasticism," as you call it (though the phrase has technically been appropriated by a burgeoning movement of Christian folk who are living communally; see www.newmonasticism.org), is a rejection of the world as God's good creation. My hunch is that, without trying to flesh it out (I'm sure someone has), there is very likely a correlation between the weak view of vocation in evangelicalism reflected by Mrs. Knox, and its low sacramental theology--both, again, denigrating the goodness of life in God's creation. Also, I think you make a very good point when you say that we send a mixed message if we talk well of vocation, then summon everyone to the church for this, that, and the other thing. Lurking beneath the surface of all this “new monasticism,” as you call it (though the phrase has technically been appropriated by a burgeoning movement of Christian folk who are living communally; see http://www.newmonasticism.org), is a rejection of the world as God’s good creation. My hunch is that, without trying to flesh it out (I’m sure someone has), there is very likely a correlation between the weak view of vocation in evangelicalism reflected by Mrs. Knox, and its low sacramental theology–both, again, denigrating the goodness of life in God’s creation.

Also, I think you make a very good point when you say that we send a mixed message if we talk well of vocation, then summon everyone to the church for this, that, and the other thing.

]]> By: John Rasmussen http://cyberbrethren.com/2009/07/02/the-new-monasticism-or-how-protestantism-lost-site-of-the-doctrine-of-vocation/comment-page-1/#comment-7376 John Rasmussen Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:41:11 +0000 http://cyberbrethren.com/?p=2385#comment-7376 This is why I think the Christ Business Directories are less than helpful (if not entirely stupid). They give the impression that the only legitimate business/services are those done by Christians, while those done by nonbelievers are not part of God's good creation. Also, why would I want to limit my interactions with only Christians? I'd rather go to the coffee shop owned by liberal hippies instead of the "safe place" coffee houses run by Christians. Same thing with getting my car fixed. I would love to be a blessing to a brother in Christ who owns a repair shop, but I'm gonna go to the place that gives me the best deal and the best service. He could be an atheist for all I care. What you wrote about isn't just a new form of monasticism, it's also a really scary form of Christian triumphalism. A president is only good if he's a Christian, non-profits are only doing good works if their services have a Bible verse attached to them, music and art is only valid if it mentions Jesus, and marriage is only valid if it follows seven "secrets" or "principles." Ugh... sometimes I think the Church in America needs to be reformed just as much or more as the medieval Church did... This is why I think the Christ Business Directories are less than helpful (if not entirely stupid). They give the impression that the only legitimate business/services are those done by Christians, while those done by nonbelievers are not part of God’s good creation. Also, why would I want to limit my interactions with only Christians? I’d rather go to the coffee shop owned by liberal hippies instead of the “safe place” coffee houses run by Christians. Same thing with getting my car fixed. I would love to be a blessing to a brother in Christ who owns a repair shop, but I’m gonna go to the place that gives me the best deal and the best service. He could be an atheist for all I care.

What you wrote about isn’t just a new form of monasticism, it’s also a really scary form of Christian triumphalism. A president is only good if he’s a Christian, non-profits are only doing good works if their services have a Bible verse attached to them, music and art is only valid if it mentions Jesus, and marriage is only valid if it follows seven “secrets” or “principles.” Ugh… sometimes I think the Church in America needs to be reformed just as much or more as the medieval Church did…

]]> By: Gabi Patel http://cyberbrethren.com/2009/07/02/the-new-monasticism-or-how-protestantism-lost-site-of-the-doctrine-of-vocation/comment-page-1/#comment-7375 Gabi Patel Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:48:10 +0000 http://cyberbrethren.com/?p=2385#comment-7375 AMEN!!! EXACTLY! Everyone has been gifted a unique set of talents to serve God. There is 'No such thing as 'my job is better than his job! Also, we NEED to treat others as we would want to be treated. Ahhhh, The Golden Rule! Why is it so darn difficult to be nice?? Gabi AMEN!!! EXACTLY! Everyone has been gifted a unique set of talents to serve God. There is ‘No such thing as ‘my job is better than his job! Also, we NEED to treat others as we would want to be treated. Ahhhh, The Golden Rule! Why is it so darn difficult to be nice??

Gabi

]]> By: Natalie http://cyberbrethren.com/2009/07/02/the-new-monasticism-or-how-protestantism-lost-site-of-the-doctrine-of-vocation/comment-page-1/#comment-7368 Natalie Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:09:13 +0000 http://cyberbrethren.com/?p=2385#comment-7368 I hate being this picky, but please consider changing "site" to "sight" in your title. Am an obsessive about spelling...sorry. I hate being this picky, but please consider changing “site” to “sight” in your title. Am an obsessive about spelling…sorry.

]]> By: Amber http://cyberbrethren.com/2009/07/02/the-new-monasticism-or-how-protestantism-lost-site-of-the-doctrine-of-vocation/comment-page-1/#comment-7366 Amber Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:36:47 +0000 http://cyberbrethren.com/?p=2385#comment-7366 I take great comfort in our doctrine of vocation. I work for Walmart, which is definitely not a "Christian" business. I strive, with the Lord's help, to give our customers the best possible service and treat the associates I supervise fairly and decently. I don't always understand why I'm placed where I am, but I trust that God will use me for a noble purpose, whatever my station. I take great comfort in our doctrine of vocation. I work for Walmart, which is definitely not a “Christian” business. I strive, with the Lord’s help, to give our customers the best possible service and treat the associates I supervise fairly and decently. I don’t always understand why I’m placed where I am, but I trust that God will use me for a noble purpose, whatever my station.

]]>