Thomas Merton and the Individual Witness
Kingdom Making in a Post-Christian, Post-Truth World
- Ethics, Culture & Social Issues
- Publisher: Cascade Books (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2022
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Publisher's Description
Over sixty years ago, Thomas Merton--monk, mystic, and writer--proclaimed that we are living in a post-Christian world. That is, the influence of the institutional church is in decline and the popular version of Christianity presented to society has in many ways become a caricature of itself. Since that time, the religious landscape has continued to change. Today the number of people who identify as "None," someone with no particular religious affiliation, outnumbers the combined total of all Mainline Protestants. In addition, many popular Christian responses to our secular world are divisive and focused on fighting the culture war instead of finding ways to live the gospel. All of these religious changes are occurring in a broader post-truth culture in which facts matter less and less, and our society is increasingly divided. This book delves into these issues and introduces the life and writings of Thomas Merton, showing how he can guide Christians working to build God's kingdom in the world today.
Endorsements (3)
“At a time of increasing political and religious polarization, David Orberson rightly points us to the witness of Thomas Merton, a contemplative monk and writer whose voice is needed today. Orberson shows how Merton’s focus on dialogue rooted in genuine encounter provides a convicting message of hope that can steer us through our own tumultuous times.”
“Orberson contextualizes Merton for the modern-day Christian, allowing Merton to join the conversation about what it means to live in a post-truth culture. Acknowledging Christian complicity, Orberson and Merton remind the reader of the ways we’ve become distracted from the injustices which require our action.”
“Orberson paints a comprehensive and compelling portrait of contemporary religious life and the trends, beliefs, and insights influencing people of faith as well as the prodigious number who describe themselves as spiritual seekers. Into this picture Orberson inserts the timeless wisdom of Thomas Merton, whose reflections on technology, consumerism, racial justice, war, peace, nonviolence, and true communion with God and with others is as relevant today as when he first wrote on those subjects decades ago.”
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