“There are on record examples of men who, forsaking marriage and the administration of the Commonwealth, have hid themselves in monasteries. This they called fleeing from the world, and seeking a kind of life which would be more pleasing to God. Neither did they see that God ought to be served in those commandments which He Himself has given and not in commandments devised by men. A good and perfect kind of life is that which has for it the commandment of God.” – The Augsburg Confession (1530). Article XXVII: “Of Monastic Vows”
This raises a great issue that has been fought out by devout men on either side. Is it better to be a fool for Christ fleeing all earthly concerns in a vocation to purely and spiritually love God. Or is serving God done best by investing spiritual zeal into daily and temporal affairs? Os Guiness wrote a book titled “The Call” on the subject, but he labelled both these propositions as “the Catholic Lie” and “The Protestant Lie” and ends up siding with the “Protestant Lie” but tries to label it as a middle position. When I read St. John I tend toward the Catholic side and wish I were a monk. However, when I read the Old Testament or St. Paul I tend to the Protestant side. In any case, it’s a fight which has been going on for a very long time…
While I am a Confessional Lutheran and thus submit to the teaching of the true Evangelical Catholic Church as expressed in the Augsburg Confession, I’m still trying to understand how God is served by polishing the pillars of the City of Man which is reserved for judgment and fiery damnation.
But of course, the cool swag and gear the monastics get automatically makes it a Theology of Glory. I have Habit-envy