A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality and the Transformation of Christianity

Description

In 1517, Martin Luther, disgusted at the corruption then reigning in the Catholic Church, nailed on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, 95 theses calling for a Reformation. During the Pentecost week 2005, former Dominican priest, Matthew Fox, nailed at that same church door a new set of 95 theses calling for a reawakening of the Christian spirit and a repudiation of the authoritarian, punitive tendencies that prevail in modern churches today. Fox's theses not only condemn the deep corruption in the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, made evident by the paedophile scandal and the recent canonisation of a fascist admirer of Hitler, but, also, speak to the loss of inspiration and resulting apathy that have emptied churches of all denominations. Fox says, "At this critical time in human and planetary history, when the earth is being ravaged by the violence of war, poverty, sexism, homophobia and eco-destruction, we need to gather those who offer a future that is one of compassion, creativity and justice to speak their conscience as never before. Religion ought to be part of the solution, not the problem." His 95 theses call for a New Reformation, a radical transformation that will allow us to move once again form the hollow trappings of organised religion to genuine spirituality.

Matthew Fox was a member of the Dominican Order in good standing for 34 years until he was expelled by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was the chief inquisitor at the time and who is now Pope.

"This is a deep and forceful book. . . . With prophetic insight, Matthew Fox reveals what has corrupted religion in the West and the therapy for its healing." * Bruce Chilton, professor of religion, Bard College, and author of Rabbi Jesus: An Intimate Biography * "One of the great prophetic voices of our time." * David C. Korten, author of When Corporations Rule the World * "Insightful and profound. History will name Fox one of the great Christian spirits of our age." * John Shelby Spong, author of A New Christianity for a New World * "Fox bases many of his 95 theses on the ideas and ideals of Creation Spirituality which blends the wisdom of western religion with the insights of science and indigenous cultures. It salutes the power of creativity and imagination and emphasizes the calling of all to be the sons and daughters of God. It honors panentheism, women's wisdom, the contributions of gays and lesbians to global cultures, the joy of dance and celebration, eco-justice, the need to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, and the daily practice of compassion as the best expression of spirituality." * Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, SpriitualityandPractice.com, May 2006 * "A New Reformation is very strongly recommended and iconoclastic reading, and to be given high praise as an outstandingly informative and quite comprehensive study of the Christian movement, especially the Catholic church, and a coherent presentation of the more progressive aspects of the Christian religion in modern times." * Michael Dunford, Midwest Book Review, Mar 2006 * "The first half of the book contains compelling background and historical information explaining why we find ourselves in this current situation of cover-ups and abuses within the church. The second half of the book contains the Theses whose purpose is to provide guidelines for evolving religion in the new millennium. As Thesis #11 tells us "Religion is not necessary, but spirituality is."" * Creations Magazine, Nov 2006 *