Thomas Merton: Twentieth-Century Wisdom for Twenty-First-Century Living

by Paul R Dekar

Overview

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 The book includes parts of three previously unpublished conference contributions by Merton on technology.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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780718892593
Publisher:	The Lutterworth Press
Publication date:	04/26/2012
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	260
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Foreword Paul M. Pearson ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Abbreviations xvii

1 Stirrings of a New Monasticism 1

2 Introducing Thomas Merton 10

3 Thomas Merton on Monastic Renewal 32

4 Thomas Merton on Simplification of Life 64

5 Thomas Merton, Guide to the Right Use of Technology 85

6 Thomas Merton on Care of Earth 115

7 The Root of War Is Fear 131

8 Twentieth-Century Wisdom for Twenty-First-Century Communities 160

9 Building Communities of Love 185

Appendix 1 Conference on The Christian in a Technological World Thomas Merton 205

Appendix 2 Conference on Marxism and Technology Thomas Merton 214

Bibliography 225

Editorial Reviews

He was a prolific writer and this excellent book introduces the reader to the life and work of Merton.[...]The book helpfully contains a total bibliography of Merton’s writings and would make a valuable introduction or a refresher course to his thinking.[...]This book is an encouragement to us all to re-assess our priorities and patterns of Christian Living.”

The Expository Times, Vol. 124 Nr. 10, July 2013 - Robert Jeffery

Paul Dekar has captured the spirit, energy, grace, and intellect of Thomas Merton in a volume that is an absolute must read for anyone seeking to grasp the complexities of one of the most influential contributors to religious thought in the twentieth century.”
“[Thomas Merton: Twentieth-Century Wisdom for Twenty-First Century Living] is a complete introduction that captures the complexities of Merton the way a prism captures the complexities of light.”

Reviews in Religion & Theology, Volume 20, Issue 2, March 2013 - John C. Lang

‘At the start of the book the author states that, ‘having experienced Merton’s writings as a source of growth for myself and for many others, I now write for all persons seeking to enrich their lives, to find their place in the world, and to experience community’ (p.9). The author clearly shows us how we might rise to the challenge of such a calling, using Merton as a guide to building communities of love, and I would recommend this book wholeheartedly to anybody who wishes to join him on such a journey.’

The Merton Journal, Vol 19(2), Advent 2012 - Stephen Dunhill

‘This is an interesting and timely contribution to contemporary literature both on Thomas Merton and on how Merton’s writings can inform us in our own spiritual living.[...] Dekar’s research on this subject un-earthed previously unpublished lectures by Merton on technology.’

Modern Believing, Volume 54:1, January 2013 - Fiona Gardner