The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation by Rod Dreher
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is an important book in that it challenges readers to consider the issues in American Christian Culture today, and to ponder a way to preserve Christianity. Drehrer does a good job exposing the problems with present-day Christianity in America, but his analysis of where these problems come from, and proposed solutions for what to do with these issues are substantially lacking. He argues that there are at least five main causes to today’s problems in American Christianity, three of which I agree with, and two of which he grossly misunderstands (ie. the Reformation and Medieval Nominalism). The solution(s) that he proposes to the issues in American Christianity have some level of truth to them, but there are numerous flaws. All in all, I think this is an important read because it could lead to a more precise examination of the root of today’s issues in American Christianity, as well as a more fruitful discussion about how to seek to establish a lasting faith in Christ in America.
I’m considering doing a longer, and more in-depth analysis of the book, to be posted later.