Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Reading Merton's 'The Seven Storey Mountain'
Actually I just finished the introduction to this edition of 'The Seven Storey Mountain' by Thomas Merton. From the introduction it sounds like, since this is Merton's first book and it was written very early in his life right after his conversion to the Roman Catholic Church, that it may not be enough to read this book to find out who he was and where he was going. However, the book quickly became a bestseller when it first appeared in 1948, and has been constantly a good seller since then, so it will certainly be interesting from a human perspective and as a conversion story. More to come....
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It's the only thing I've read by him, mea culpa, but I understand he changes 180° later in life. In Seven Storey Mountain he's rather sectarian and triumphalist about Catholicism - not unlike other zealous converts - and he, too, fortunately moves beyond that.
Merton's appeal is that he's "Everyman" who just happens to express a common religious experience better than most.
I'm reading William James' Varieties of Religious Experience ....
In Seven Storey Mountain he's rather sectarian and triumphalist about Catholicism - not unlike other zealous converts - and he, too, fortunately moves beyond that.
Yes, his attitude toward protestants, albeit nominal ones, is rather annoying, but maybe he hadn't met any that really had faith. Don't know if he will later on.
I think as he writes, he's still in his early twenties, so he seems not to have outgrown the youthful contempt that mixes with the love for our parents and grandparents sometimes. We'll see how that goes.
Merton's appeal is that he's "Everyman" who just happens to express a common religious experience better than most.
Yes, he's definitely a good writer. He's very descriptive. Also his depictions of his parents and grandparents are very evocative, and kind of amusing as they remind me of my own family and myself as well.
Very impressed that you are reading The Seven Story Mountain. Yes, his early attitudes regarding protestantism is a bit harsh. But his journey is still a great read. After I first read the book in '75 it brought me much closer to my faith. Speaking French I nearly entered a Trappist house myself after five visits to the Trappist abbey Notre Dame D'Oelenberg in France.
I love reading biographies, whether of people I agree with or not. There's always something to learn or even to bring clarity to things that happen in one's own life.
Years ago I read a biography of Catherine of Aragon, and was very impressed with her. I gave my second daughter her name as a middle name.
I think most believers, Catholic and protestant, are mixtures of good and bad and of understanding and error; but it's hard to get past that. It's been around since Cain and Abel.
I love the passage about Merton's little brother John Paul on pages 22-27. The first part about John standing there in silent perplexity at being left out is so sad; but it first reminded me of the ages-long separations between different people whether because of religion or race, etc. The idea of brothers against each other is a strong theme in scripture.
The second thing it reminded me of is Christ as our Brother. He is the second born or younger brother that became the heir of the promise, like Isaac and Jacob and Joseph and even David who was the youngest son. He endured that rejection for us, being despised by His own brothers of Israel. The second part of the story about John Paul is like Christ triumphantly walking right through the enemy camp to get to us.
Jennie,
Just curious, did you pick the book up at the library or order it from amazon?
I'm reading it online on Google books still. I may see if I can find it at the library next time I go.
Well I hope you do pick up a copy. So much better to read the whole thing.
I haven't missed any pages yet; but I'm only on page 39 so far. If I run into any missing pages I'll go get it.
Fair enough. I am sure it is copyright protected, so it will not be complete. I am smiling now knowing that you are checking it out. We may not agree on many things, but we should never lose our desire to explore.
I don't want to give too much away, but I see John Paul as Tom, if he hadn't entered the monastery. How Tom's life would have turned out if not for God's calling.
The love Tom had for his little brother is very evident, but in my imagined scenario, it's a bit of self-love.
I thought that if I was ever blessed with another son, I'd name him John Paul, not for the late pope but for Merton's little brother.
I hope that doesn't mean John Paul turned out badly.
No, not badly. He turns out quite good, of course, in comparison, because, as Merton tells it, Tom is the one needing grace. It's as you think, the younger brother is naturally blessed.
I wonder if one aspect of grace is knowing that we need grace because we see our sinfulness. In other words, it's a mercy to know that we need mercy.
Ran out of pages on the Google book on page 77. I am tempted to skip to the next available page, but it's pretty close to the end. I just got the book put on hold to be sent to my library. It may take a few days, so I'll have to wait to read further.
knowing that we need grace because we see our sinfulness.
There's that. But, in Merton's case, also, an unwillingness to think worse of his brother than himself.
I'm still waiting to get Merton's book from the library. It will be next week before I can read it, as I'll be away for a couple of days, unless it comes in today and I can pick it up on my way out of town.
Still not in at the library; I don't have a budget for books right now or I'd buy it, and the Mary Beth Chapman book, too.
I picked up 'Seven Storey Mountain' today from the library, so I'll do some posts about it as I read.
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