The Bugenhagen Option?
Another option for cultural engagement, this time from a forgotten Reformer
Gregory Soderberg recently presented a paper entitled “The Bugenhagen Option” at a regional gathering of the Evangelical Theological Society. This paper highlights some points that are similar to ones I’ve been working to make over the past few years through the practice I’ve described as “ecclesial apologetics.” What I find most useful and unique in Soderberg’s argument is the integrative model he finds in the writings of John Chrysostom, summarized near the end of his paper.
Here is how Gregory Soderberg sets up his initial argument:
In The Benedict Option, Rod Dreher maintained that the US, and Western countries in general, are headed into a new “dark ages.” According to Dreher, with the triumph of secularism and the dominance of the woke mob, Christians must realize that they now live in a post-Christian country. They must give up the hope of influencing culture through politics. Instead, we must focus on self-sustaining communities that are defined by liturgical worship, classical Christian education, intentional economic support, and hard work.
In the wake of Dreher’s Benedict Option, other Christian conservatives like Andrew Isker, C.R. Wiley, Douglas Wilson and others proposed the “Boniface Option.” This is a more militant expression of many of Dreher’s core concerns…. However, Boniface did not just focus on cutting down idolatrous oak trees; he was also a builder—establishing schools, establishing monasteries, reforming the clergy, and working with civil rulers for the common good. In fact, Boniface was a Benedictine monk himself and was supported by other Benedictines. Additionally, Benedict did his fair share of destroying idols. The site of the famous Benedictine Abbey, Monte Cassino, was originally a place dedicated to pagan worship. Benedict threw down the pagan shrines and then established the Abbey that has continued to this day. So, to oppose Boniface and Benedict is historically inaccurate and ignores the shared goals of both Benedict and Boniface. But there is another option which compliments the Benedict and Boniface options.
Johannes Bugenhagen (1485-1558) is a neglected Lutheran reformer who has much to teach the contemporary church about how to impact both church and culture. Bugenhagen was a tireless administrator and implementer who focused on four main goals: worship, education, government, and social welfare. In these ways, Bugenhagen does not give us another, completely distinct, option. However, his life and ministry united many of the concerns and emphases of both the Benedict and Boniface options.
Combining the Benedict option with the Boniface option is another way to implement Nehemiah’s strategy—with a sword in one hand and shovel in the other (Neh. 4:17). The Bugenhagen Option gives us a further four-fold strategy of working to reform four key areas of life and culture: Worship, Education, Social Reform, and then Government.
Read the rest of the article here: “The Bugenhagen Option”
Thanks for the re-post, Timothy! I've learned a lot from your work and look forward to seeing the results of your latest research!