Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Beth's avatar

I fear my response to this vision of a “wild Christianity “ is one of questioning its validity.

First let me acknowledge that the world is a really scary place right now and seems to be growing more scary by the day. Climate change, Ai, the growing power of “the machine”, the internet, politics that grow increasingly bizarre - there is no shortage of reasons to panic. I think that the desire for a “wild Christianity “ or “ the Benedict option” is coming from a place of real worry. That very human desire to want to protect ourselves and those we love - and that is not a bad thing - I just think we need to get honest about our reasons for wanting this and not try to sell it as some new and desirable spiritual quest. That doing this will save us or Christianity or some form of the culture is doubtful.

I think it is possible that God may actually want us to stay right where we are because that is where He has placed us and we have serious work to do there - on His behalf.

So the first question we must ask is why we think going to the wilderness is a good idea?

If our desire is based on the desire to seek God in a more serious way we should look at those who have gone before us.

The original desert fathers went to the desert to “leave the world” behind for purely spiritual reasons - to seek God in a barren place without worldly distractions. They weren’t trying to do anything in a group - it was a solo journey.

Even as some reluctantly agreed to start monastery’s- the goal was not to become the custodians of knowledge, books, medicine or the faith (which , ironically , they did)- it was to seek God without distraction.

Of course- few of us are called to the monastic life - but each Christian is called to be “in the world, but not of it”. This means that it is possible to seek and find God right where we are - but it requires some self discipline and a bit of self denial. We could probably start with turning off our phones when we get home in the evening . If the online world represents much of what has gone wrong in the world at large - we have a quick and sure escape route - the off button on our many devices.

If we believe that we must physically head off to an isolated place to “really find God” I question this - because if we can’t find Him here - where we are now - it will be no easier in a new place. Where I go - there I am…sigh!

Much of the talk of going to the “wilderness “ seems pretty romantic and lacks defining information- like what that means and where exactly that is .

I fear this imagined wilderness is mainly a fantasy- most of todays real wilderness areas really are uninhabitable wilderness - because most of what could be considered “ livable or farmable” wilderness land was bought up long ago. Of course that is still available for purchase for a steep price. And yes - you can find land for less - but watching a season or two of “ homestead rescue” should make clear the perils of such “good deals”.

And then the question is - if you go there how will you live? You will have to learn to grow your own food but this is not an easy thing.

Having personally spent a few years trying to grow a substantial amount of my own food I can tell you it is not as simple as throwing some seeds in the ground. There is much to learn, organic gardening still requires many inputs, and without the basics of the right climate, sunlight, water and soil - it is futile.

But if growing food is important- could we grow food where we are? For many folks the answer is Of course we can - as you noted in your essay -permaculture has been putting a great deal of focus on changing the suburbs. Even apartment dwellers have balconies and many town’s have community gardens.

I dare say that if the goal is learning how to grow food - starting out in a place with a lot of resources is really helpful. As is living in a place where a failed crop will not equal hunger.

But the real question we have to answer is this - Is God calling us to this lifestyle?

While I am sure there may be some who should do this - I have a feeling it is not for most of us.

Because if all the Christian’s head to the hills who will be there to live the gospel? To do Christs work - to feed the hungry, to care for the sick, to visit the prisoners…..you get where I am going here. Christ told us that what we do for the least of these we do unto him. That is where we live right now - among the least of these.

In the very early years of the church the gospel spread for one reason and one reason alone. Christian’s lived their faith in the towns and cities they lived in and they lived it very well.

While they didn’t have to worry about todays “machine “ or climate change - they did live under crazy emperors who were fond of feeding them to lions - among the other horrors of the colosseum.

They faced death and laughed in its face because of the God they served.

We serve that same God and he calls us to the same life - what is the difference?

I think we have lost our wonder and our humility. We are so caught up in ideas about God that we miss experiencing Him.

Christ commanded us to develop lives of prayer, alms giving, fasting, humility, repentance, love of the poor, to work on righteousness and strive for perfection.

If we focus on these things ( instead of trying to escape what ever the future may bring) we will experience God in profound ways and we will find Christs promise to be true:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:17

Unfortunately - this is not nearly as appealing as heading off to the wilderness - and until we start really trying to live the spiritual disciplines we may remain terrified on many days. But the fear will abate as we do the work before us .

I believe here lies the path to our salvation and that of those God puts in our lives.

Let’s not be afraid but embrace it with joy!

Expand full comment
Jennifer's avatar

This couldn't be more timely--I recently quit coffee for a somatic therapy class (it turns out not being adrenalized by drugs is helpful to calming anxiety.) I ended up doing a bit of research on the rise of coffee during the industrial revolution. After about two weeks off of all caffeine, I had to give in and allow myself a green tea in the morning to get any writing/ work done. I'd like to try again one day to see if the depressed state ever lifts. It's also worth accepting that we simply won't be as ambitious without coffee. Thanks for the reflections.

Expand full comment
67 more comments...

No posts