A Silent Action: Engagements with Thomas Merton

by Rowan Williams

The life of Thomas Merton was, to a great extent, one of dialogue with people who were either distant or dead. While forging just such a relationship with him, the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams explores the mind and influence of Thomas Merton through essays on such topics as the connection Merton had with Paul Evdokimov, the Orthodox theologian, and Karl Barth, the Reformed theologian. Rowan also takes note of the impact of books on Merton's thought, spanning from Fyodor Dostoevsky and Dietrich Bonhoeffer to St. John of the Cross. Through his essays, Williams shows that he and Merton share the regard that Christian life without a contemplative dimension is incomplete and, furthermore, that a contemplative life is accessible not only to those living in monasteries but to anyone who seeks an "interiorized" monasticism. The mystery of friendship--an enduring relationship held together not only by affinity, shared questions, and common interests but also by the awareness that each can help the other in pilgrimage--is worthy of inclusion in the long list of additions to the Orthodox sacraments. As the bond between Rowan Williams and Thomas Merton bears witness, not all friendships depend on being of the same generation.

Genres: Theology, Religion

96 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2013

About the author

Rowan Douglas Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, is an Anglican bishop, poet, and theologian. He was Archbishop of Canterbury from December 2002-2012, and is now Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and Chancellor of the University of South Wales.

Reviews

[Scott Rushing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This “book” is a common of essays that Rowan Williams has written about Thomas Merton almost 40 years.

My primary criticism is that Williams does not provide some coda that binds these essays together or reflect on his wrestling with Merton for such a long time.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. Unlike many books about Merton, Rowan Williams is engaging with the monk on an intellectual level and illustrating and expanding on his writing. It's probably my favourite of Williams' books so far.

[Brian Caughey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound insights into Merton's thought conveyed by Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams in lucid writing.

[Andrew Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book but one that needs slow, careful, prayerful reading. The dialogue between Thomas Merton, a monk who penetrated the depths of spirituality during a volatile time and Rowan Williams,a contemporary theologian of great subtlety is the occasion for much soul-searching on the part of the reader.

[Ephrem Arcement · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slim volume offers much to ponder. I'm grateful that a theologian of the caliber of Rowan Williams contends with Merton and draws out the rich theological implications of Merton's reading of two of the 20th century's greatest Christian thinkers: Paul Evdokimov and Karl Barth. This substantiates the sophistication of Merton's own theological mind.