The Rule of St. Benedict 4

Study Guide Questions for Ch. 14-30

If you are looking for the beginning of the study of The Rule of St. Benedict then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. If you would like to see the growing list of book studies available for free on this site you can go HERE. Enjoy!

Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Humility, Virtue, Justice

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. What justification did Benedict give for practicing the eight hours of prayer (Vigils, Lauds, Prime, etc.) that were established in the Benedictine monasteries?

2. Benedict said that other arrangements of reciting the Psalms was permissible “provided that…” something was made certain of. What was that something?

3. According to Benedict, “our holy Fathers” did what in a single day?

4. To what did Benedict compare our prayers to God?

5. What was to be considered (and not considered) in regard to choosing Deans in the monastery?

6. What were the sleeping arrangements of the monks to be like (i.e. placement, attire, etc.)?

7. What should be done with the one “who lacks understanding” when it comes to discipline and excommunication?

8. What are the censures (punishments) for “less serious faults” among the brothers?

9. What are censures for a “serious fault” by one of the brothers?

10. How was the Abbot supposed to act towards those undergoing discipline (excommunication)?

11. What is the final and most extreme form of excommunication in a Benedictine monastery?

12. What did Benedict write concerning the possibility of readmittance to the monastery after complete excommunication?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. What might be the purpose in various changes made to the way the various hours of prayer are observed at different times of the year (i.e. why is “Alleluia…never said with responsories except from Easter to Pentecost” and other such subtle changes)?

2. Why would an awareness of the continual presence of God have an effect upon our actions?

3. Why did Benedictine emphasize the importance of being “brief” in our prayers to God? What harm might there be in longer prayers?

4. Why might the establishment of “Deans” in the monastery have been helpful?

5. Why were the “younger brothers” not supposed to have their beds next to one another?

6. Why would “corporal punishment” be applied to those who lack understanding of the seriousness of excommunication?

7. Why might it have been necessary to enforce excommunication practices by threatening to also excommunicate any brothers who “associate in any way with an excommunicated brother?”

8. Why were the “senpectae” supposed to operate “under the cloak of secrecy” in their interactions with excommunicated brothers?

9. Why would the ultimate step of excommunication, removal from the monastery altogether, be important to enforce in some cases?

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. The Psalms played a central role in the life and community of the Benedictine Monastery. What particular value do you think the Psalms have over and against other parts of the Scripture? What is unique about the Psalms from other parts of the Bible? Do you think Christians today should adopt a more serious approach to reciting and memorizing the Psalms? Why or why not?

2. What significance, if any, is there in the posture of our bodies during worship and prayer? What difference does sitting, standing, kneeling, or even lying flat upon our faces on the ground, communicate? To what degree ought Christians to incorporate different postures into their private prayer life and/or their public and corporate worship? Are there other physical actions which should (or should not) be incorporated into our approach to prayer and worship? Explain your thoughts carefully.

3. Benedict wrote, “There ought to be due proportion between the seriousness of a fault and the measure of excommunication or discipline.” A principle of justice is summed up in the expression “the punishment must fit the crime.” How does one determine what penalty is appropriate for a particular infraction, crime, or sin? What is the standard by which we may judge how serious a particular case of wrongdoing really is or was? What might be the result of failing to punish a crime adequately? What might be the result of punishing a crime too severely?

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read Matthew 18:15-20. What is the relationship between Jesus’ teaching here and the practices of excommunication in the Benedictine order? Are there any differences you notice or would you say that they are basically the same practices?

2. Read 1 Corinthians 5. How does this passage of Scripture apply to the concept and practice of excommunication? How does it relate to the passage from Matthew above?

3. Read Luke 17:1-4. Do you think Jesus’ teaching here and what Benedict says about banishment from the monastery are compatible? Why or why not?