IN THE 1930s, German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer anticipated the restoration of the church after the coming Second World War through a new monasticism, a way of life of uncompromising adherence to the Sermon on the Mount in imitation of Christ. Since then, the renewal of Christian monasticism has become a great spiritual movement. Imbued with a love for God and neighbour, and with healthy self-love, people visit monasteries to deepen their relationship with God, to pray, and to ?nd peace. Some monastic institutions are suffering a decline in vocations, but many Christians are exploring monastic lifestyles. This book introduces the Community of the Trans?guration in Australia, a new monastic community and an inspiring source of hope for the world at another time of spiritual, social, and ecological crisis. "The Community of the Trans?guration at Breakwater, Victoria, is a hidden and unexpected gem in the contemporary Australian Christian scene. Quietly but purposefully it has grown over the past 25 years into a vibrant, Spirit-?lled community standing in the great tradition of Christian monasticism. What is unexpected but exciting is that this community is ?rmly grounded in and embraced by the Baptist Church while at the same time being thoroughly ecumenical. Paul Dekar's book is a most timely contextualization of and tribute to the community." - The Rt. Rev. Andrew St. John, DD, Rector, the Church of the Trans?guration, New York, and Assisting Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of New York "Western civilization was cradled by the monastic movements of the Middle Ages, and many of the discoveries of modern science have their roots in monastic gardens and in?rmaries. Paul Dekar gives a glimpse into a Christian movement of our time that promises to provide new energies, from the heart of evangelical Christianity, to enliven the monastic ideal, and provide a unique Christian witness to the world. Intentional Christianity, a more intense form of belief and practice, provides all Christians, and indeed all persons, with a window into the possibilities of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the prospect of a world remade." - Brother Jeffrey Gros, FSC, Memphis Theological Seminary PAUL R. DEKAR is Niswonger Professor of Evangelism and Missions at Memphis Theological Seminary. He is the author of Creating the Beloved Community: A History of the Fellowship of Reconciliation in the United States (2005) and Holy Boldness: Practices of an Evangelistic Lifestyle (2004). Paul and his wife, Nancy, are North American members of Holy Trans?guration Monastery in Australia.

Thomas Merton was arguably the twentieth century's most widely published and widely read spiritual writer. This book explores Merton's prophetic writings and experience as they offer guidance for those seeking to experience God, to simplify their lives, to live more humanly, and to shape Christian community in the face of alienation, consumerism, noise, and technology. The book includes parts of three previously unpublished conference contributions by Merton on technology. Exploring Merton's thoughts on monastic renewal, prayer, radical simplicity, ecology, technology, war, peace and interfaith dialogue, Dekar reminds us why Merton was so influential and why he continues to be so.

'Merton still matters', writes Paul R. Dekar about Cistercian monk Thomas Merton. Calling people to act justly, love kindness and walk humbly, Merton used his contemplative practice to see beyond what disrupts and divides us from one another to find the truth of our common humanity - unity in our creation in the image of God. In Thomas Merton and the New World, Dekar focuses primarily on two issues of concern to our current world. First, he studies Merton's warnings of the abuse that stems from unmindful and irresponsible use of technology, and its ecological devastation. Second, he examines Merton's thinking on racial injustice in the mid-1960s through his correspondence with his allies and contemporaries - James Baldwin, for example. Using Micah 6:8 to arrange Merton's focus on justice, lovingkindness, and humility, with input from Merton's dialogue with Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Rachel Carson and others, Dekar demonstrates just how prophetic and transferable Merton's teachings remain.  

The scholarship on Martin Luther King Jr. has too often cast him in the image of the Southern black preacher and the American Gandhi, while ignoring or trivializing his global connections and significance. This groundbreaking work, written by scholars, religious leaders, and activists of different backgrounds, addresses this glaring pattern of neglect in King studies. King is treated here as both a global figure and a forerunner of much of what is currently associated with contemporary globalization theory and praxis. The contributors to this volume agree that King must be understood not only as a thinker, visionary, and social change agent in his own historical context, but also in terms of his meaning for the different generations who still appeal to him as an authority, inspiration, and model of exemplary service to humanity. The task of engaging King both in context and beyond context is fulfilled in remarkable ways in this volume, without doing essential violence to this phenomenal figure. "I have personally been to Martin Luther King Jr.'s memorial in Memphis, Tennessee, and have felt inspired by his example of sacrifice and conviction. I welcome this very insightful new book that introduces readers to him, while also highlighting his strategic nonviolence as a pathway to much-needed global peace. There is much here that is consistent with Gandhi's principle of ahimsa. This is a comprehensive exploration of Dr. King's meaning for the world." --His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Spiritual Leader of the Tibetan People "We have taken for granted Martin Luther King Jr. as a 'world citizen, ' but have spoken about this in vague, generalized terms. This magnificent volume puts an end to such vagueness. Baldwin and Dekar have, through the thoughtful reflections and powerful testimonies of scholars from across the world, brought into sharp relief a King concerned about the world, helping to shape it in ways we never truly understood." --Allan Aubrey Boesak, Distinguished Desmond Tutu Visiting Professor of Ecumenical Theology and Prophetic Preaching, Christian Theological Seminary "Anybody concerned about the economic, social, and gender inequalities anywhere in the world will benefit from the vision and the transformational impact of Martin Luther King Jr.'s exemplary leadership, which is carefully analyzed in this book by a diverse group of scholars, religious leaders, and activists." --Peter J. Paris, Professor Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary "Here is Martin Luther King Jr. as a global visionary deeply rooted in the promise and limitations of his time and place. These international, transreligious, and multidisciplinary writers expose Dr. King's influence at work in places and around issues that he himself knew little or nothing about. They sort out King's genius of mind and spirit to engage the evils and the promise of globalization." --George Williamson, Civil Rights Activist and Founding President, Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America Lewis V. Baldwin is Professor of Religious Studies at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. He is the author of To Make the Wounded Whole: The Cultural Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. (1992) and The Voice of Conscience: The Church in the Mind of Martin Luther King, Jr. (2010). Paul R. Dekar is Professor Emeritus of Evangelism and Missions, Memphis Theological Seminary, Memphis, Tennessee, and is the author of Creating the Beloved Community: A Journey with the Fellowship of Reconciliation (2005) and Thomas Merton: Twentieth-Century Wisdom for Twenty-First-Century Living (2011).

Description: Thomas Merton was arguably the twentieth century's most widely published and widely read spiritual writer. This book explores Merton's prophetic writings and experience as they offer guidance for spiritual seekers in their search to experience God, to simplify their lives, to live more humanly, and to shape Christian community in the face of alienation, consumerism, noise, and technology. The book includes parts of three previously unpublished conference contributions by Merton on technology. Endorsements: ""Paul Dekar presents us in this book with a manifesto for the future of the Christian community, which he sees being renewed by intentional, contemplative, essentially lay communities that know how to connect classic monastic wisdom with the challenges of our addicted-conflicted culture. He tells us with real passion that we don't need to fight old battles, but instead need to focus on God's future. The chapter on Merton and technology is alone worth the price of the book. Warmly recommended, especially to Christians discouraged with the institutional church."" -Donald Grayston Past President International Thomas Merton Society ""Paul Dekar's book is a thoughtful and comprehensive summary of Merton's concerns about our world--ranging from ecological consciousness, war, non violence, and technology to new monasticism and a dialogue with other faiths. It is a timely book offering real guidance. Thomas Merton's diagnosis of the ills of our time is speaking powerfully still: 'achievement neurosis, ' overspending, overwork, noise, violence, addiction to technology, and an individualism that has lost sight of the common good. The way forward? Creating 'communities of love' in which God's presence and the depth of our humanity--which we consistently ignore--are experienced, and where the balance between the inner and the outer life can be restored."" -Sr. Miriam Community of the Transfiguration About the Contributor(s): Paul R. Dekar is Professor Emeritus of Evangelism and Mission, Memphis Theological Seminary, member of a new monastic community in Australia, and a prolific author, including Community of the Transfiguration: Journey of a New Monastic Community (Eugene: Cascade, 2008). After thirty-four years of full-time teaching, he continues to teach, write, and work with communities of hope in Dundas, Ontario, Canada.

Around the world, thousands of grassroots movements are confronting issues like destruction of the environment, economic depression, human rights violations, religious fundamentalism, and war. This book tells the courageous story of one such group. Organizing in 1939, Northern Baptists formed the Baptist Pacifist Fellowship as part of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Southern Baptists formed a parallel body. Like today, it was a time when sources of hope seemed hard to find. Discerning a need to support and connect Baptist conscientious objectors in the United States, members faced hostility in congregations and the nation. For the duration of the Second World War, the Korean War, war in Vietnam and elsewhere, Baptists sustained a witness for peace and justice. By 1984, threat of nuclear weapons led to formation of a wider circle of resistance to the culture of war. Subsequently, the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America has brought together Baptist peacemakers from around North America and the world. However small in numbers or reviled, members have been building a culture of peace through an interracial and international community. This book is an invaluable resource for those seeking a new world of forgiveness, respect for human rights, nonviolence, and peace.

Description: In the 1930s, German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer anticipated the restoration of the church after the coming second world war through a new kind of monasticism, a way of life of uncompromising adherence to the Sermon on the Mount in imitation of Christ. Since then, the renewal of Christian monasticism has become a great spiritual movement. Imbued with a love for God and neighbor, and with a healthy self-love, people are going to monasteries to deepen their relationship with God, to pray, and to find peace. While some monastic institutions are suffering a decline in traditional vocations, many Christians are exploring monastic lifestyles. This book introduces The Community of the Transfiguration in Australia, the story of a new monastic community and an inspiring source of hope for the world at another time of spiritual, social, and ecological crisis. Endorsements: ""Western civilization was cradled by the monastic movements of the Middle Ages, and many of the discoveries of modern science have their roots in monastic gardens and infirmaries. Paul Dekar gives a glimpse into a Christian movement of our time that promises to provide new energies--from the heart of evangelical Christianity--to enliven the monastic ideal and provide a unique Christian witness to the world. Intentional Christianity, a more intense form of belief and practice, provides all Christians, and indeed all persons, with a window into the possibilities of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the prospect of a world remade."" --Brother Jeffrey Gros, FSC, Memphis Theological Seminary ""The Community of the Transfiguration at Breakwater, Victoria, is one of the hidden and unexpected gems of the contemporary Australian Christian scene. Quietly but purposefully it has grown over the past twenty-five years into a vibrant, Spirit-filled Christian community standing in the great tradition of Christian monasticism. What is unexpected but all the more exciting is that this community is firmly grounded in and embraced by the Baptist Church while at the same time being thoroughly ecumenical.Paul Dekar's book is a most timely contextualization of and tribute to the community."" Rt. Rev. Andrew St. John, DD, Rector, Church of the Transfiguration, New York, and Assisting Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. About the Contributor(s): Paul R. Dekar is Niswonger Professor of Evangelism and Missions, Memphis Theological Seminary. He is author of Creating the Beloved Community: A History of the Fellowship of Reconciliation in the United States (2005) and Holy Boldness: Practices of an Evangelistic Lifestyle (2004). He and his wife Nancy are North American members of Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Australia.

This work approaches evangelism by examining the everyday pursuits of ordinary people, and demonstrates how evangelism often arises as a response to an overflow of God's love. We begin with four practices of holiness by which we humble ourselves before God. Through prayer, Sabbath observance, holy play, and discernment of God's call on our lives, we recognize God as the bedrock of our lives. With boldness, church members will come alive as they share Jesus with the world and serve as agents of God's reconciling love, inviting people to become part of God's family.