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Proposal: to develop a generation of new men, we should build a monotheistic liturgical community. Here me out and give me your thoughts at the end of this thread (its going to be a long one!).
The current state of the west, especially in light of Biden's sweep into power, has led many to conclude that the problems run deeper than politics. They are fundamentally spiritual: that our peoples do not serve the highest or honour the ultimate, which has led to decline.
There are increasing calls for spiritual renewal, for people to focus on what truly matters and becoming servants of the most high. This is good.
However, many wonder how this can be achieved. Many of the old religions and institutions which would have enabled this are dead.
However, many wonder how this can be achieved. Many of the old religions and institutions which would have enabled this are dead.
At the same time, the formation of a community is tricky. We live in an individualist age, where we pick and choose our beliefs. Everybody has their own ideas and allegiances. We see this even within religions: Christians are divided over specific matters, as are Muslims etc.
You may think, 'Why can't I do this alone? Why do I need a community to change?'
The thing is, humans are shaped by our communities. We derive meaning from our social relations, and even our individual choices are shaped by the communities we inhabit. We learn with others.
The thing is, humans are shaped by our communities. We derive meaning from our social relations, and even our individual choices are shaped by the communities we inhabit. We learn with others.
So we need a community of some sort which can enable and strengthen the birth and growth of new men.
To do so, we need to find a common identity. A people group is nothing other than a collective who share the same values, who love the same thing.
To do so, we need to find a common identity. A people group is nothing other than a collective who share the same values, who love the same thing.
It could be land, family, nation etc. but it could also be non-geographic, such as fandoms (love of Star Wars etc.). These groups not only share the same values by and large, they also express them and strengthen them through rituals where they act out their commitment.
Through action, we realise our preferences, what we love most and are most loyal too. It could be a remembrance day service, singing the national anthem at a rugby match, going to comicon - each community expresses its adoration through liturgical action (ritual).
So, what could be the common love for those who want to be new men? Among those who have expressed this desire, there are three common features in their beliefs.
First, that there is a transcendent reality. This could be Christ, Allah etc. or an ultimate value, such as the just, the good, or something like 'the way'. In each case, their is agreement that there is something more than the material and material interests.
Crucially, they all agree that this transcendent is One. When monotheists say God is one, they do not mean God is one object among other objects in the world. It means God is categorically distinct from all other things, and thus is not divided. The ultimate is wholly other.
Second, they agree that the transcendent has a claim on our life. We are obliged to serve it above all other things. It is not conditional: it is what we must do.
Third, they agree that we as individuals and as societies have abandoned this fundamental obligation, and so have declined into idolatry, degeneracy, and madness.
These three shared commitments give us a basis for building a community on the following lines:
It will be formed of a people dedicated to the reverence, adoration, and service of the one God.
It will be formed of a people dedicated to the reverence, adoration, and service of the one God.
'God' is a title, which means most high. Some call YHWH God, others Allah etc. Though there will be disagreement about the nature of the ultimate, all agree there is an ultimate who is categorically distinct - the one God! We share a commitment to seek the highest.
Thus, we can exist together on the quest to pursue the highest. We can honour the highest together, and so build new men.
Such a community will also need liturgical action, rituals by which we can express our adoration and cultivate obedience to the most high.
Such a community will also need liturgical action, rituals by which we can express our adoration and cultivate obedience to the most high.
Just as the Christian apologist Justin Martyr thought that Plato honoured God with his reverence for the Good albeit imperfectly, the community described can have a similar basis. Christian, Muslim, Jew, Pagan, Perennialist etc. can coexist if seeking the highest together.
There can be internal discussion about the nature of the most high and how best to serve the transcendent. But what unites is a shared commitment to seeking and serving the One God.
Thus, this is why I think a monotheistic liturgical community focussed on seeking and serving the Transcendent could be a way forward. It allows for the individualism of today while uniting in a common purpose, while acknowledging the importance of community and ritual.
But God knows best.
Please share your thoughts! Thanks for reading through.
Please share your thoughts! Thanks for reading through.
