Author: Cunningham, Lawrence S. Title:  Thomas Merton and the monastic vision xii. Publisher:  Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999. Series:  Library of religious biography

Powell, Kevin

English

Scholars Commons

Thomas Merton and the Monastic Vision

Thomas Merton and the monastic vision

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 28Issue 1 Waterloo Lutheran Seminary Lutheran LifeLectures 1998-2001Article 175-1-2002Thomas Merton and the monastic visionKevin PowellFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusPart of the Practical Theology CommonsThis Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationPowell, Kevin (2002) "Thomas Merton and the monastic vision," Consensus: Vol. 28 : Iss. 1 , Article 17.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol28/iss1/17152 Consensus history, popular Christian devotion, theology, literature, art, gender, or Mary Magdalen scholarship. Sherry Pember Wilfrid Laurier University Thomas Merton and the Monastic Vision Lawrence S. Cunningham Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1999 228 pages, $24.95 Softcover Given the overabundance of "Mertonia" that has emerged since his death in 1968, sorting through the books, articles, videos, tapes, monographs, etc., to obtain an accurate rendering and thoughtful analysis of Thomas Merton's life can be a daunting task indeed. Lawrence Cunningham has written a brief but thorough study of Merton's life and thought that offers an excellent introduction to his writings and influence in twentieth-century religious life. Cunningham places Merton in both the context of the early monastic Fathers and Mothers, whose influence played an important role in his development as a monk, and in the context of the vast changes of the Second Vatican Council and the social and political upheavals of the 1960s. As committed as Merton was to peace issues and the civil rights movement, his involvement grew out of a profound engagement with monastic tradition and his life as a contemplative monk. Which brings me to Cunningham's thesis: " .. .the prolific works which flowed from Merton's pen and the impact that those writings and his person had and continue to have can only be understood against the background of his contemplative experience as a Trappist monk. Indeed ... one cannot understand Thomas Merton if one does not understand him as a monk" ( 17). Cunningham's treatment steers clear of hagiography. He paints a portrait of Merton that intermingles his less than holy moments-i.e., his pettiness towards his Abbot (James Fox) when he was refused travel, his (understandable, if not childish) tirades against the American Catholic hierarchy, his affair with "M," the nurse with whom Merton fell in love-with a profound engagement with his active mind and his contemplative vocation. Just as Merton himself did not cover up his Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2002Book Reviews 15::1 "failings" in the journals he knew would be published, Cunningham reveals parts of Merton's personality that were Jess than glamorous or saintly. However, the great strength of this book is how the author brings together the various and complex pieces that make up the life and work of Thomas Merton and creates not a "plaster statue" of Merton the saint (although there is a movement of admirers who are advocating his canonization, Merton would be aghast at the thought!) but an engaging portrayal of person of profound faith struggling to understand the significance of his life in the midst of an unbelieving world and a church deeply invested in American culture. Contemplation, for Merton, was not to be confused with "recharging your spiritual batteries" but was a way of life that undergirded action. Merton's relevance to the modern reader was his constant struggle to understand the role of the contemplative (or the Christian) in post-Christian society, his search for an authentic expression of faith, and his prophetic condemnations of unchecked capitalism and the culture of violence it creates. His words in the 1960's can be read with the same relevance as when they were written. Cunningham offers a tremendously readable account of Merton's life and work that provides a clean segue into the writings of Merton himself. In fact the final chapter is a bibliographic essay that will help the reader discern with which "Merton" (i.e., Merton the social critic, the poet, the theologian, the teacher, etc.) one might like to begin. But whichever"Merton" one reads, on·e will always be reading "Merton the monk." Kevin Powell Luther Church of the Resurrection, Halifax, NS Doing Justice: Congregations and Community Organizing Dennis A. Jacobsen Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 2001 140 pages, $21 .00 Softcover So many of our theological works remain immersed in the abstract world of ideas. No such accusation dare be levelled against Dennis A. Jacobsen's Doing Justice. Its subtitle Congregations and Community Organizing describes aptly the purpose and content of this book. What I appreciate most about this work can be found in its resolute integration http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol28/iss1/17

ConsensusVolume 28Issue 2 Spirituality and Health Article 2511-25-2002Thomas Merton and the Monastic VisionKevin PowellFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationPowell, Kevin (2002) "Thomas Merton and the Monastic Vision," Consensus: Vol. 28 : Iss. 2 , Article 25.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol28/iss2/25Book Reviews 139 Certainly, the work by Wesley Carr, the associate editors and the many contributors in putting together The Dictiona1)1 of Pastoral Studies is a Herculean task. As he admits in the Introduction, there is no perfect dictionary. I disagreed with some presentations and lamented that others were missing. However, I give it an eight out often. It will certainly occupy an important place on my shelf. Thomas St. James O'Connor, ThO Assistant Professor, Pastoral Care and Counselling Waterloo Lutheran Seminary Thomas Merton and the Monastic Vision Lawrence S. Cunningham Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1999 228 pages, $24.95 Softcover Given the overabundance of "mertonia" that has emerged since his death in 1968, sorting through the many books, articles, videos, tapes, monographs, etc, to obtain an accurate rendering and thoughtful analysis of Thomas Merton's life can be a daunting task indeed. Lawrence Cunningham has written a brief but thorough study of Merton's life and thought that offers an excellent introduction to his writings and influence in twentieth century religious life. Cunningham places Merton in the context of both the early monastic Fathers and Mothers, whose influence played an important role in his development as a monk, and the vast changes of the Second Vatican Council amidst the social and political upheavals of the 1960's. As committed as Merton was to peace issues and the civil rights movement, his involvement grew out of a profound engagement with monastic tradition and his life as a contemplative monk. This brings me to Cunningham's thesis: ... the prolific works which flowed from Merton's pen and the impact that those writings and his person had and continue to have can only be understood against the background of his contemplative experience as a Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2002140 Consensus Trappist monk. Indeed ... one cannot understand Thomas Merton if one does not understand him as a monk ( 17). Cunningham's treatment steers clear of hagiography. He paints a portrait of Merton that intermingles his less than holy moments, i.e., his pettiness towards his Abbot (James Fox) when he was refused travel, his (understandable, if not childish) tirades against the American Catholic hierarchy, his affair with "M", the nurse with whom Merton fell in love, with a profound engagement with his active mind and his contemplative vocation. Just as Merton himself did not cover up his "failings" in the journals he knew would be published, Cunningham reveals parts of Merton's personality that were less than glamorous or saintly. However, the great strength of this book is how the author brings together the various and complex pieces that make up the life and work of Thomas Merton and creates not a "plaster statue" of Merton the saint (although there is a movement of admirers who are advocating his canonization, Merton would be aghast at the thought!), but an engaging portrayal of a person of profound faith struggling to understand the significance of his life in the midst of an unbelieving world and a church deeply invested in American culture. Contemplation, for Merton, was not to be confused with "recharging your spiritual batteries", but was a way of life that under girded action. Merton's relevance to the modern reader lies in his constant struggle to understand the role of the contemplative (or the Christian) in post-Christian society, his search for an authentic expression of faith, and his prophetic condemnations of unchecked capitalism and the culture of violence it creates. His words in the 1960's can be read with the same relevance as when they were written. Cunningham offers a tremendous] y readable account of Merton's 1i fe and work that provides a clean segue into the writings of Merton himself. In fact, the final chapter is a bibliographic essay that will help the reader discern with which "Merton" (i.e., Merton the social critic, the poet, the theologian, the teacher, etc) one might like to begin. But whichever "Merton" one 'reads, one will always be reading "Merton the monk." Kevin Powell Lutheran Church of the Resurrection Halifax, Nova Scotia http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol28/iss2/25

https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1313&amp;context=consensus

Thomas Merton and the Monastic Vision

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Scholars Commons

Scholars Commons

Wilfrid Laurier University

Wilfrid Laurier University