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Product Description
Product Description
The popularity of TV shows such as 'The Monastery' has made the concept of 'new monasticism' a popular one. But new monasticism is a confusing label. In this challenging and informative book, Simon Cross sets out some of the context for the concepts of monasticism and 'religious life', and explores how some groups in the UK today are imitating the monastic and religious traditions. Here, Simon shows us communities and groups which all, in widely different ways, live as new monastics.
About the Author
Simon Cross lives with his family in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, where they are exploring new monasticism. He is part of World Horizons, an international movement which draws upon Celtic heritage for its prayerful approach to journeying and spreading the Gospel.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There have been a gradual increase in the number of books about new monasticism, keeping pace with the growth of the movement. Simon Cross's 2010 contribution is an important addition to this growing canon. Important not because it is unique (overlap is inevitable in some respect) but because it is so accessible.
Simply written with feeling the book is really one of two halves. The first an introduction to the history of monasticism which is, of necessity, brief but provides the context from within which the exploration of new monastic movements which will be described in the later half of the book. Cross aknowledges and deals well with the fact that many of the groups he visited in the UK and described, are not directly comperable being of a diverse nature. He suceeds, however, in identifying sufficient traits in common to justify groups inclusion in the book and indeed in the "movement". He also does not shy away from difficult catagorisations and discussions. Some of the groups included have been seen as cultic rather than monastic but he gives an impassioned if rather too brief rational for their inclusion; Reader consider would seem the approach he favours here and readers should indeed consider carefully.
The new monastic "movement" is still defining itself and inevitably this leads to inclusions and exclusions in this book which readers may well quible with. This is no fault of the author but rather a difficulty of the nature of the "movement" itself. Intentional community is certainly a criteria (whether lived or dispersed) chosen by the author for inclusion. I was dissapointed to see that this did not include the more eremitcal new monastics (Christian solitaries etc) who are, admitedly, difficult to access but who do have dispersed communal contacts and are in my opionion an important if quiet (as they should be) part of this ground swell of God's people.
The author finishes his book with end notes and glossary, both of which are helpful. The real joy however is the list of websites of interest. These cover all the groups described in the book and allows a sort of "live" cross referencing with the text via the web which is excellent.
Readers and website visitors should however be prepared to analyse and judge the veracity of how various groups portray themselves. I am not implying deliberate misleading is going on but all groups portray themselves as they wish to be portrayed and uncrtical acceptance is not recommended.
I loved this book as it deals with a movement and phenomena which fascinates me. If you are new to these ideas and groups this text would be an excellent introduction.
Simply written with feeling the book is really one of two halves. The first an introduction to the history of monasticism which is, of necessity, brief but provides the context from within which the exploration of new monastic movements which will be described in the later half of the book. Cross aknowledges and deals well with the fact that many of the groups he visited in the UK and described, are not directly comperable being of a diverse nature. He suceeds, however, in identifying sufficient traits in common to justify groups inclusion in the book and indeed in the "movement". He also does not shy away from difficult catagorisations and discussions. Some of the groups included have been seen as cultic rather than monastic but he gives an impassioned if rather too brief rational for their inclusion; Reader consider would seem the approach he favours here and readers should indeed consider carefully.
The new monastic "movement" is still defining itself and inevitably this leads to inclusions and exclusions in this book which readers may well quible with. This is no fault of the author but rather a difficulty of the nature of the "movement" itself. Intentional community is certainly a criteria (whether lived or dispersed) chosen by the author for inclusion. I was dissapointed to see that this did not include the more eremitcal new monastics (Christian solitaries etc) who are, admitedly, difficult to access but who do have dispersed communal contacts and are in my opionion an important if quiet (as they should be) part of this ground swell of God's people.
The author finishes his book with end notes and glossary, both of which are helpful. The real joy however is the list of websites of interest. These cover all the groups described in the book and allows a sort of "live" cross referencing with the text via the web which is excellent.
Readers and website visitors should however be prepared to analyse and judge the veracity of how various groups portray themselves. I am not implying deliberate misleading is going on but all groups portray themselves as they wish to be portrayed and uncrtical acceptance is not recommended.
I loved this book as it deals with a movement and phenomena which fascinates me. If you are new to these ideas and groups this text would be an excellent introduction.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
A call to prayer
17 Dec 2010
Format:Paperback
Starting at the end of the book may be a better way to grasp Simon Cross` message -
There is something immensely romantic, idealistic and utopian in the idea of monasticism. (p200)
Indeed, Cross shows easily enough the values of the New Monastic movement as something wholly utopian.Yet, what he does is something wholly non-utopian in that he seeks to do violence to our picture of New Monasticism. As is easily recognized, my view on mediation and the like is that it provides nothing; yet, Cross shows that as Christendom, especially the British version, reels from its own self decay, people are being drawn to a life style centered on ancient practices (think McLaren here, but with depth) which are meant to build a community of believers, evangelists, and those whose heart is for the Gospel.
I might disagree with some of the precepts that Cross covers and suggest; however, he shows that these precepts are being picked up not from other religions and foreign practices, but, many times, from native Christian lands. He shows himself to be heavily influenced by the ancient Celtic monastics (which is this long-distance, both in time and miles, Celtic descendant is frankly, wonderful) and knows, really knows, the Benedictine rule. In my brief acquaintance with Benedictine monks, I can testify to their heart and peace, as Cross relates. His history of ancient monasticism (and, of course, the New Monasticism) makes this book worth the purchase, although the bonus is introduction to the New Monastic communities which are springing up in England and Europe (as well as the U.S.).
What is the New Monastic movement? Cross answers this, not in the academic or uber-religious language of an examination, but almost with a psalmist approach given by someone intimately familiar with the movement. Cross' work is easily readable and yet not too tame. It is an easy read and one which should stay with you for a very long time, especially as you sit, as Archbishop Reno would say, among the tombs of Christendom. Reading Cross' work, I find hope for Western Christianity, and some pitfalls (I cannot understand the need to equate our practices with Islam), which is rarely seen in the media. All is doom and gloom for Christianity in the West, but the New Monastics are showing a people who are creating communities to safe guard Christian practices, very similar to the last time that Europe stood on the precipice of losing Christianity to secularism.
I would counter Cross' statement given above - what he shows is not a romantic community nor one which has achieved utopia. Yet, what he does show are communities which are recovering the strengths of the past which meets the violence of dark ages with the counter-violence of prayer, community, and a focus on listening to God.
If you are into that sorta thing, that is...
There is something immensely romantic, idealistic and utopian in the idea of monasticism. (p200)
Indeed, Cross shows easily enough the values of the New Monastic movement as something wholly utopian.Yet, what he does is something wholly non-utopian in that he seeks to do violence to our picture of New Monasticism. As is easily recognized, my view on mediation and the like is that it provides nothing; yet, Cross shows that as Christendom, especially the British version, reels from its own self decay, people are being drawn to a life style centered on ancient practices (think McLaren here, but with depth) which are meant to build a community of believers, evangelists, and those whose heart is for the Gospel.
I might disagree with some of the precepts that Cross covers and suggest; however, he shows that these precepts are being picked up not from other religions and foreign practices, but, many times, from native Christian lands. He shows himself to be heavily influenced by the ancient Celtic monastics (which is this long-distance, both in time and miles, Celtic descendant is frankly, wonderful) and knows, really knows, the Benedictine rule. In my brief acquaintance with Benedictine monks, I can testify to their heart and peace, as Cross relates. His history of ancient monasticism (and, of course, the New Monasticism) makes this book worth the purchase, although the bonus is introduction to the New Monastic communities which are springing up in England and Europe (as well as the U.S.).
What is the New Monastic movement? Cross answers this, not in the academic or uber-religious language of an examination, but almost with a psalmist approach given by someone intimately familiar with the movement. Cross' work is easily readable and yet not too tame. It is an easy read and one which should stay with you for a very long time, especially as you sit, as Archbishop Reno would say, among the tombs of Christendom. Reading Cross' work, I find hope for Western Christianity, and some pitfalls (I cannot understand the need to equate our practices with Islam), which is rarely seen in the media. All is doom and gloom for Christianity in the West, but the New Monastics are showing a people who are creating communities to safe guard Christian practices, very similar to the last time that Europe stood on the precipice of losing Christianity to secularism.
I would counter Cross' statement given above - what he shows is not a romantic community nor one which has achieved utopia. Yet, what he does show are communities which are recovering the strengths of the past which meets the violence of dark ages with the counter-violence of prayer, community, and a focus on listening to God.
If you are into that sorta thing, that is...
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