RB: Chapter 6b – Restraint of Speech

In this 2nd part I will be using Rule Book of St. Benedict in English 1980 Edition
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. – Proverbs 10:19
Benedict, having already discussed that a disciple ought to be silent and listen now turns his instruction to the manner [...]

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RB: Chapter 6 – Of Silence

Rule of St Benedict Chapter 6
“For it befitteth a master to speak and teach; and it beseemeth a disciple to hold his peace and listen.”
In today’s culture it would appear listening is a lost art. I have always been amazed at spiritual novices who seem eager to one up those who are of greater spiritual [...]

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RB: Chapter 5 – Of the Obedience of Disciples

Rule of St Benedict Chapter 5
The first degree of humility is obedience without delay.
Obedience. A word that makes one cringe ever so much. It grinds against the very pride of man to rule himself and his destiny. Benedict says to us here, “the first degree of humility” that is the first identifiable mark of [...]

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RB: Chapter 4 – Tools of Good Works

Rule of St Benedict Chapter 4
One of the challenges I find today is simply how do we live out our faith. It seems everybody and their brother has a take on what the church ought to be doing to be relevant, missional, incarnational, etc. Benedict calls on a variety of scriptures to help direct the [...]

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RB: Chapters 2-3 The Abbot Part 2

Rule of St Benedict: Chapter 2 and Chapter 3
Understanding the severity the undertaking of the Abbot we have to be cognizant of the simple fact that they are but men. This fact alone should be enough to cause a man to think carefully and prayerfully about the community to which he is the shepherd of. [...]

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RB: Chapters 2-3 The Abbot Part 1

Rule of St Benedict: Chapter 2 and Chapter 3
Ok, break is over back to the Rule and my general comments on it in context to my own Evangelical Protestant viewpoint and application of ministry. The uniqueness of the Rule is it hasn’t changed since it was written in the 6th century and it’s application to [...]

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Generativity

I am reading a book called Strangers to the City by Michael Casey (a Benedictine Monk)  as part of a book discussion and have been pleasantly surprised by the practical nature of this book. It is written from a monks perspective to monastics so there is some contexting to be done to make it relevant [...]

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RB: Chapter 1 – Kinds of Monks

The Rule of St Benedict Chapter 1

It is well known that there are four kinds of Monks.
The first are Cenobites, that is Monastic, living under a Rule or Abbot.
The second are Anchorets or Hermits, who, not in the first fervour of conversion, but after long probation in the monastic life, have [...]

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RB: Prologue Part 3

Link to the Text: The Rule of St Benedict Prologue

In this final part Benedict is defining the purpose of the Rule and making known the vision for its application. Many protestants, especially evangelicals will shy away, dismiss or condemn the reading of these texts for reasons that are summed up in these Rules are nothing [...]

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RB: Prologue Part 2

Link to the Text: The Rule of St Benedict Prologue
In Part 1 I was taken with the Father-son relationship aspect that begins the Holy Rule. Relationship is founded upon willingness of both parties to be bound together – if obedience is out of compulsion than the relationship can be said to more a slave-master relationship [...]

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