A Look at Monasticism and Its Rejection of Culture

I was on a message board at RelevantMagazine.com, and I was reading a post about the "Desert Fathers" (Read more about them here.) I looked it over, and while the monks that lived in the desert were certainly amazing, and they certainly had some excellent teaching, I take issue with the whole concept of "monastacism".

I'm not condemning people who believe differently than myself. While certainly some people are called to be celibate (to not have sex) and some are called to avoid certain other things like alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, etc.,I think the ancient concept of monastacism (and priesthood) for that matter perpetuates a dualistic philosophy, that in my opinion, doesn't fly with me.

The thought that some things are holy and sacred, where others are not .. (don't take this statement too literally. I'm not saying there is no right and wrong, I'm saying that we can experience God while welding, or doing the news on the radio, or in a crowded smoky bar just as well as in a church, or a temple.)

What is any less holy about marriage, and "domesticism" and sex, and community?

Dualism invaded Christianity through Greek philosophers.. who taught a difference between the sacred and the profane.. between spiritual and natural.. While certainly some similar elements exist in biblical Christianity.. deny the flesh... come out and be separate... etc,

The revelation I get from scripture shows that God wants us to bring him into our everyday lives... with moments of retreat to "recharge", but not a lifestyle of retreat.. It's that spirit of retreat that inspires the amish and the "skirt wearing only" southern baptist..

It's that spirit of retreat that motivates well meaning Christians who cut themselves off from culture and the world, and people around them because they don't want to get dirty.

They don't want to get messy.

It's not that way at the church that I attend. We're missional, we're apostolic (which simply means "sent"). We've been made to be missionaries in our community, to reach out and love people where they are, and where we are.If you're a carpenter, you should be worshipping God while hanging drywall. If you're a gardener, you should be praying while planting seeds. There's nothing more spiritual, or closer to God if you chose to be a monk or a missionary in Africa, or a pastor... While a pastor, or other spiritual leader certainly deserves respect, and is given spiritual authority that should be honored, he's not closer to God than you could be.

And then, when you're worshipping (see Romans 12:1) in the places you work, and live, the world around you, shouldn't be this dark spectral enemy, but a group of people who are hurting, and perishing, and watching YOU for an answer.