Simplicity: The Cistericans and The Pietists UPDATED

In 1098 A.D., a monastic order was formed called the Cistercians. These monks sought to simplify and turn from major indulgences (of the flesh). They sought to become fiercely independent, and self sufficient, emphasizing agriculture and manual labor. The most famous Cistercian Monk was undoublty Bernard of Clairvaux, or the Crusader Preacher as he is known. When Cistercian Monks numbers seemed to be waning, Bernard arrived at door with many members of his household. Benard in many ways as a Martin Luther of His time, reforming the image of Christ enthroned and Imperitus Rexus, to Corpus Christi, Christ Crucified (The Crucifix). In addition, Bernard preached The Second Crusade, which became a colossal failure; and to console European hearts and minds, Bernard claimed the enterprise of the Second Crusade failed do to sin; and in many ways He was right, the inability of Conrad III (German Emperor), King Frankish of France, and the other Crusaders to set out and unite into one mighty force led to their demises; much do to many cocks (roosters) trying to prove their superiority. In fact, King Frankish sailed away from harm and let His soldiers perish at hands of Saracens; in Medieval Times this was tantamount to major sin, a forsaking of Chivalry and honor; to let your men die while you fly to safety.

Cistercian Architecture and artwork is most unique. Like the white mantels and robes that Cistercian Monks wore, their churches, abbeys, and places of worship were a white wash of stone, and plainness in the sanctuary. Unlike the cathedrals of Notre Dame and Westminster Abby, Cistercian churches were plain, with very little adornment, artwork, and color. Instead, the white color of stones would capture the sunlight and cause the interior chapel to glow golden:

 As you can see Cistercian architecture is very minimalist, and plain compared to the more ornate, and cluttered interiors of French and English Churches and Cathedrals. The Cistercians were about simplicity, and the interiors of their abbeys, chapels, and churches testify to this. The focus here is on spiritual, no on objects, the plainness isn't puritanical or Amish, but rather to keep our eyes fixed on Christ (Hebrews 12:2), the unseen instead of seen. Even more surprising is that Cistercians do not spot statues of saints or the Madonna, which is highly unusual for Catholic cloisters and churches. The goal of Cistercian architecture is to create a orderly, decluttered, and simplistic space to seek the Savior. It's design is to help with deep contemplation, prayer, and spiritual experience. There aren't tassels, gems, giant imposing figurines, and golden paintings and vessels to draw your attention; but rather the simplicity and cleanness, the openness of the unadorned walls and floors makes the worshippers able to focus on the unseen and communion with the Holy Trinity. The only object seen is the Corpus Christi, Jesus on cross dying for our sins, and since there the absence of saints and the Madonna this makes it possible for Protestants to pray in a Cistercian Abby or Chapel with impunity. It has been discovered in United States Marine's that morale can drop by 60% if their clean and polished space has one sock out of place. We think better in order, not chaos is the point, and Cistercians emphasized this with their style.

In Protestantism, another group imitated this in Pietists, who had very plain and simple places of worship and living:

The Pietists believed in humility, frugality, order, restraint, and sense of duty, Their style of living reflected this, and in many ways can be seen to have Cistercian inspiration, especially in white woods. Pietism was born in Lutheranism, however, its impact has been on all of Christendom: "Although the movement was active exclusively within Lutheranism, it had a tremendous impact on Protestantism worldwide, particularly in North America and Europe. Pietism originated in modern Germany in the late 17th century with the work of Philipp Spener, a Lutheran theologian whose emphasis on personal transformation through spiritual rebirth and renewal, individual devotion and piety laid the foundations for the movement. Although Spener did not directly advocate the quietistic, legalistic and semi-separatist practices of Pietism, they were more or less involved in the positions he assumed or the practices which he encouraged." (Pietism Wikipedia).

Spener proposed a very different approach to Christian life than liturgy, and clergy vs laity:

"In Pia desideria, Spener made six proposals as the best means of restoring the life of the Church:

1. The earnest and thorough study of the Bible in private meetings, ecclesiolae in ecclesia ("little churches within the church")
2. The Christian priesthood being universal, the laity should share in the spiritual government of the Church
3. A knowledge of Christianity must be attended by the practice of it as its indispensable sign and supplement
4. Instead of merely didactic, and often bitter, attacks on the heterodox and unbelievers, a sympathetic and kindly treatment of them
5. A reorganization of the theological training of the universities, giving more prominence to the devotional life
6. A different style of preaching, namely, in the place of pleasing rhetoric, the implanting of Christianity in the inner or new man, the soul of which is faith, and its effects the fruits of life." (Pietism, Wikipedia). 

I would add to Spener's list moving in Gifts of Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 1:4-11), but I do applaud his emphasis on house churches (little churches), "the Pietists in the Netherlands were the first to use the term “huts kerk” or house church for their renewal meetings.The Christian priesthood being universal, in that both clergy and laity are same royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), the idea of Christianity being more than discourse and pontifications but must be accompanied by actions is very St. James ("Faith without works is dead," James 2:14-26), giving more emphasis to devotional life rather than just exegesis is pleasing, because you need to spend time with Christ and in presence of Divine Trinity, not just read scholarly books and listen to preachers alone. Finally the concept of not preaching pleasing rhetoric as many mainstream churches today do to win converts and followers, but implanting what is important to the inner life of Christ, i.e. Philippians 3:8-15 and beyond is very appealing. The idea of being kindly to heterodox or heretical groups rather than harsh seems good at face value, however I fear it will lead people to become ecumenist and let those deceived in false religions and religious cults like Jehovah Witnesses infect us Christians with their demonic doctrines, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons," (1 Timothy 4:1), "They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!," (2 Timothy 3:5 NLT), "They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth," (1 Timothy 4:3), "Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals," (1 Corinthians 15:53), "No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons, What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord's jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is? Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying/You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is beneficial," (1 Corinthians 10:20-23), and, "And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.  Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives" (Jude 1:22-23). We must beware of letting those who are bound by false doctrines in Mormonism and beyond to influence us, and instead pray for them to come to knowledge of the Truth (John 14:6), and believe what Holy Bible says, Jesus is God (Colossians 2:9), and Man (1 John 4:1-3), and it is through Him we have eternal life (1 John 4:15, John 3:16, John 6:40). The other problem with Pietism is that Spener and practitioners verged into almost salvation by works with the rigidity; they even were against watching movies, dancing, and etc. Radical Pietism, which actually broke away from Lutheran Church and denounced institutions, "Radical Pietism is Pietism interpreted to the effect that its followers decided to break with denominational Lutheranism, forming separate churches.Such Radical Pietists contrast with Church Pietists, who chose to remain within their denominational settings. Radical Pietists distinguished between true and false Christianity (usually represented by established churches), which led to their separation from these entities." (Wikipedia), was very mystical, and the problem is when mysticism creeps in, like in case of Eastern Orthodox mysticisms, it corrupts the True Faith with doctrines of demons. Spener was criticized for deviating from doctrine and moving towards more of heart understanding of God; this always sounds right because we suppose to know Christ personally, heart to heart; but he danger is that it can undisciplined and kept in the bounds of Holy Scripture, can lead to a watering down of the Holy Bible and beneficial doctrines that keep us in check and able to discern what is from God or from demons (1 John 4:1). The Truth is we are suppose to have balance of a intimate relationship with God the Trinity in our hearts, souls, and spirit; but at same time holding to sound doctrine, teaching, and explained parameters of the faith as found in New Testament, Holy Bible. Eastern Orthodoxy verges into extreme of the heart, and they don't hold to the definitions of Scripture, and safety net Christ has woven by His own words and those of His Apostles; in contrast Roman Catholicism and branches of Protestantism tends to verge into explaining everything doctrinally, and failing to invoke that connection to Christ in heart and Spirit. Balance is key, having a heart and intellect; reason and relationship at the same time with God; not one or other; you must have close knit connection with the Lord Trinity in your heart and seek Him and yet hold fast in your mind and heart to the sound doctrines and teachings of the Apostles (Acts 2:42, cross ref to the opposite 2 Corinthians 11:1-15) and Jesus Christ Himself as found in Holy Bible. Anyone who teaches contrary to what is in the Holy Bible is a false prophet, false preacher, and preaching a false Christ (Galatians 1:1-9, 2 Corinthians 11:2-16). 

The Cistercians and Pietists practiced a simplicity in their architecture, living standards, and art that is admirable. They did not spend their coffers dry to have chalices of gold and precious gems, wood was content for them. They did not hang canvases and tempera of gold leaf, but Crosses of wood and marble stone. Decadence was not their aim, but discipleship. The simplicity of their places of worship, and life draws attention more to the Divine and devotion paid to Him. While there is nothing wrong with ornate gilded halls of cathedrals of the Anglo and Gothic variety, I find the Cistercian and Pietist style draws the disciple more inward, seeking the LORD and letting their visions, and revelations from Him be the pictures of their mind, rather than anything hewn of stone, cedar, gold, and precious stone. The Cistercian and Pietist life was focused on the Kingdom of Heaven, they took steps to avoid the lust of eyes, "For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever," (1 John 2:16-17), and instead sought to fix their eyes on Christ in form of crucifix (invented by Cistercian Bernard of Clairvaux) or better yet, the image of Immortal God, of  God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the spiritual realm and in themselves; they opened their spiritual eyes while starving their flesh eyes. This has been proven to  work in church history, because the less objects and clutter, and distractions, the better to focus on the LORD. It reminds us that we are Temples of God (1 Corinthians 3:16, Hebrews 3:6, Colossians 1:27), and that we should seek to commune, spend time with, and see our Lord in prayer, devotion, worship, and reading of Scriptures; than through objects of stone, precious gems, didactic tones, and readings. Amen.