Tag Archives: simple living

If you’ve wondered about Wendell Berry or the “new agrarianism,” check out this profile by Mark Van Steenwyk


Wendell Berry speaking in Frankfort, Indiana

Wendell Berry speaking in Frankfort, Indiana

Folks, Wendell Berry is a challenging and even mind-altering guy. You need to read him. Here’s my co-professor from  the Resources for Radical Living course, Mark Van Steenwyk, head of the Missio Dei new monastic community in Minneapolis and editor on www.jesusradicals.com, on that redoubtable eco-prophet, Mr. Berry:

Wendell Berry, The New Agrarianism, and the Penitential Life

When we hear the word “penitence” we think of friars and monks living lives of austerity. We don’t usually think of farmers. We don’t think of living enmeshed within the abundance of creation as a penitential act.

Today we’re going to explore the “New Agrarianism” as a penitential movement. In particular, we’ll explore the life and writings of Wendell Berry as a penitential voice calling us to turn from our unbalanced lives into a better way (which is, after all, the heart of the penitential life). Continue reading