Letter to My Child: On the Consequences of Rejecting Asceticism

My Dear Child in the Faith,

It is quite apparent to me that Protestantism, by and large, misunderstands monasticism and its true purpose.  It is my belief that Protestantism is wrong to reject monasticism.  The irony is that, while they reject monasticism, they are baffled by how terrible they are at praying.  They are shocked by their utter lack of spiritual maturity, vigor and discipline.  Little do they know that to reject asceticism is to reject spiritual vigor and maturity.  Little do they know that to reject monasticism is to reject our greatest teachers and prophets.

Now, my child, I am not saying that you need to become a monk or nun.  I am not saying that at all to you.  I am simply saying that you don't need to refuse the place of monastics in the Church.  It would be wise for you to learn their ways and to acquire their wisdom no matter which direction life takes you.  Hear me whenever I say this: you have something to learn from them; they have something to teach you.

Now, let me provide logical grounds for why we need the monastics and why Protestantism is in the wrong for rejecting them.

In a very large way, monasteries were like early seminaries.  People came from all over the globe (they still do) to learn about the ascetic way of life, the way of unceasing prayer and union with God through the Spirit.  They understood the vital significance the men and women within the monastery walls played within our world.

One of the critiques the Reformers had, particularly the Calvinists, of monasticism, and the main reason why they rejected it, was the false notion that monasticism somehow led to "spiritual elitism."  They claimed, and rightly so (but off the mark), that prayer was for everyone and not just the duty of some.

Here is the deal, though: monks are no more "elite" than seminary professors/theologians are "elite."  We must remember that Christians had a much different notion of learning back in the ancient Church, one that was far different from rationalizing all things.  The ancient Church wasn't affected by the philosophy of the Enlightenment as we are today since it wasn't around then.  For early Christians, you learned primarily through practice...practicing prayer, worship and virtue.

Furthermore, asceticism was not for the "elite" anyways.  It was for everyone and should always be for everyone.  Again, not everyone will become a monk or nun.  However, all are called to adopt a life of prayer and spiritual discipline.  The monks and nuns, however, dedicated the fullness of their lives to learning how to cultivate a life of prayer so that they could teach others to do likewise.  Again, asceticism is for everyone and the monastics have a heavy hand in teaching us about how to live it out.

How is the monastery, then, different than a seminary?  This is such an important question that desperately needs to be addressed today.  If theology is for everyone, and theologians teach us theology and they are not seen as "elite", how then are monastics who teach us the ways of prayer "elite?"  Do you see what I am getting at, my child?

The sad thing is, while rejecting one notion of elitism, Protestantism have simply replaced it with another form of elitism.  They fail to recognize that by simply renouncing monasticism that this doesn't automatically mean that "elitism" is removed from the Church.  They fail to realize that monasticism isn't the problem; elitism is.  In many ways, theologians have become the "elite," and in the worst possible way.  What's worse than theological elitism?  Or, to put it another way, what is worse than Pharisee-ism?

Listen to me my child and understand: would you rather listen to a man who gets paid to think about God a lot or would you rather listen to a man who has forsaken all riches and worldly luxury just to grow closer in his communion with God and to teach others to do likewise?  Would you rather listen to a man who thinks or a man who prays?  Does the power of the Spirit come from thinking lofty theological thoughts about God or from praying to Him?

My child, listen again and hear a word of wisdom: it is a freeing and life altering thing to learn who the truest teachers of the faith are.  Don't get me wrong here.  Intellectual teachers are great and necessary.  Don't reject and devalue them.  Seek to grow in intellectual understanding.  However, don't do as many do and trade prayer for theological intellectualism.  Don't listen to intellectuals more than you listen to those who pray.  It is quite an unfortunate thing in our day that we often have to choose between the two in selecting who will guide and lead us.  If you have to choose, always choose the man who prays and has a child-like faith over the one whose pride rests only in his doctrinal formulations...for one type of man will inherit the earth and reign with our Lord while the other will not.  Be very cautious in who you follow, for they are not all going to end up with the same fate.  The prideful teacher will always do what he does best...admire and think about God and His Kingdom from afar, excluded from the Spirit of God.

My child, listen to the man who prays so that you can hear God's voice.  Ignore the theologian who enjoys listening to his own voice over God's.