The Benedict Option

The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation is a 2017 book by writer and conservative commentator Rod Dreher on Christianity and Western culture. Drawing very loosely on the writings of early Christian monk Benedict of Nursia and the philosophy of Alasdair MacIntyre,^[1] Dreher argues for the formation of virtuous Christian communities in response to an increasingly secular culture. The book produced discussion and debate in Christian and secular circles over the issues of cultural engagement and the direction of Christian communities.^[2][3][4][5] Although Alasdair MacIntyre was claimed as an inspiration for the movement, MacIntyre has criticized it as politically conservative.^[6]