For years, committed Christians such as myself have felt increasingly helpless in the midst of America’s shifting political landscape. We have watched political leaders from both sides of the aisle behave like children fighting over backyard toys, and thanks to social media, have witnessed relentless public square bullying intended to quiet traditional religious belief and exercise. For a land that touts commitment to freedom and equality as primary selling points, America’s seeming unwillingness to uphold these same commitments for traditional Christians has indicated America has possibly crossed the Rubicon of all that is good and holy; indeed, as America has drifted towards what appears to be a dangerous individualism that prioritizes pleasure and instant gratification to the extinction of all else, traditional Christians have explored alternative paths for preservation. And many have embraced Rod Dreher’s 2017 book The Benedict Option as a solution.
Based on the premise that Western society is indeed a post-Christian, post-virtue society, Dreher proposes that the remaining hope for powerless Christians is to turn to a different type of politics, one that follows the model set by St. Benedict of Nursia following the fall of Rome in the sixth century—and one that will presumably preserve traditional Christianity through family and surrounding communities should America meet a similar end.
Dreher’s position is enticing for Christians disappointed by American politics and, at a minimum, certainly offers practical guidance on how to sustain the kind of order within family to resist secularization. Encouraging families to integrate into small communities that follow St. Benedict’s routine commitment to prayer, study, and work is a reasonable path forward, as these steps would surely create homes, educational systems and local communities more properly centered upon God. Taken to its fullest application, however, The Benedict Option also suggests that because modernity no longer fosters virtue, traditional Christians have little option other than withdrawing from the national political square and instead offering a distinct counter culture. The Benedict Option therefore encourages traditional Christians to stop wasting time on American politics because, “absent a miracle, there is no hope of reversing the condition in the foreseeable future.”
While it’s hard to dispute Dreher’s assessment of America’s present political landscape, one has to wonder if, in light of the recent COVID-19 response, Dreher has too quickly dismissed the one exception he cites necessary for a reversal of his position: a miracle.
What has played out in American life over the last few weeks is indeed miraculous. People can certainly criticize response times and bureaucratic delays, but traditional Christians everywhere should at a minimum celebrate the miracle of witnessing America’s virtuous heart still beat.
Over the last few weeks, government, scientific, health, political, education, and business leaders have risked economic and business stability, personal criticisms, and undue blame to contain the virus’s spread, particularly given its threat to the most vulnerable populations. A people and politic so utterly thwarted beyond redemption would have counted the costs and resisted such action. Over the last few weeks, a number of America’s first responders have demonstrated inordinate courage and commitment to fighting the virus, despite inadequate resources and the risk to their own health. A people simply flippantly serving others would not have shown such dedication. Over the last few weeks, various Church communities have shown obedience, agility, and creativity in continuing and pursuing their missions within the parameters of social distancing. Christians either too lackadaisical or overly rigid would not have persevered under such circumstances. Over the last few weeks, a number of Americans have sacrificed their daily routines and immediate desires, and in some cases, their financial livelihood, to socially isolate and quarantine for their common man. A people only self-interested and self-consumed would not have succumbed so quickly and willingly. Over the last few weeks, many Americans have responded to the interruption by embracing the special time with their immediate family. A society bent against all that is good and holy would find no attraction in such time.
Over the last few weeks, Americans have indeed witnessed a miracle, and it is one of hope and possibilities. A crisis has a way of uncovering what people are really made of, and for America, it has uncovered the reality that the American foundation is surprisingly solid. Despite imperfections, the soul of the nation has not been lost, and the Christian influence is neither powerless nor inconsequential.
This is not to say America and its politics offer Christians a perfect platform.This is also not to say that families cannot find real value in adopting Dreher’s ideas into their home life or community, that a few weeks is the same as the long haul, or that there aren’t still those hell bent on their vice. It is to say, however, that the past two weeks have shown America isn’t necessarily lost or the fallen empire of Rome. In fact, like all of us, it too is capable of redemption if it we continue to nurture it in faith.
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