A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality and the Transformation of Christianity [Paperback]

Matthew Fox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2006

A modern-day theologian’s call for the radical transformation of Christianity

• Echoes the Reformation initiated by Martin Luther in 1517

• Addresses the corruption and authoritarian tendencies that distinguish today’s Christian institutions from the spiritual message upon which they are founded

• Offers a new vision of Christianity that values the Earth, honors the feminine, and emphasizes spiritual tolerance

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 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 pedophile scandal and the recent canonization 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 from the hollow trappings of organized religion to genuine spirituality.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“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 )

From the Back Cover

CHRISTIAN STUDIES / CREATION SPIRITUALITY

“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

In 1517, Martin Luther, disgusted with 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 Pentecost week 2005, former Dominican priest Matthew Fox reenacted Luther’s call, posting at the same Castle Church 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 pedophile scandal and the recent canonization of Josemaría Escrivá, a fascist admirer of Hitler, but also speak to the rising influence of Christian fundamentalism in the United States and 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 from the hollow trappings of organized religion to genuine spirituality.

MATTHEW FOX, a member of the Dominican Order for thirty-four years, was expelled by the former cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI), who was chief inquisitor in the Catholic Church. Matthew Fox is the foremost proponent of creation spirituality, based on the mystical teachings of early Christian visionaries such as Hildegard von Bingen, Meister Eckhart, and Saint Thomas Aquinas. He is the author of twenty-six books, including Original Blessing and The Coming of the Cosmic Christ.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions (February 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594771235
• ISBN-13: 978-1594771231
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #387,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A ground breaking, thought-provoking analysis of the corruption of Catholic and Christian fundamentalism in the United States, May 6, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality and the Transformation of Christianity (Paperback)

A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality And The Transformation Of Christianity by Matthew Fox (Founder of the University of Creation Spirituality in Oakland, California, now the Wisdom University) offers the reader a ground breaking, thought-provoking analysis of the corruption of Catholic and Christian fundamentalism in the United States. Reenacting Martin Luther's famous call for reformation of Church corruption in 1517, Matthew Fox inspirationally defies the modern Roman-Catholic reign in A New Reformation as he diligently and knowledgeably reveals its institutional flaws and proposes a more productive and helpful reordering of the practices and policies of the dominant Christian churches. 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.

48 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Matthew Fox for the Masses !, March 12, 2006

By 

Vic Simon "RoseLotus" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality and the Transformation of Christianity (Paperback)

"The New Reformation", Matthew Fox's newest book, is perhaps one of the most important books published in my lifetime. It literally has the potential to change the world.

The most important Fox book for me personally was his autiobiography "Confessions", which on May 3, 1996 triggered a personal profound, mystical, transpersonal, unitive moment that transformed my life. I will always be enternally grateful that Matthew wrote that illuminating book, in the deepest most paradoxical sense, exactly for me, (and I suspect many others who, of course, ARE ME)

The most exciting thing about this newest book, "The Next Reformation" is that it makes ascessable to potentially large numbers of readers the heartmind of this spiritual giant whom I revere as my "pope".

In 126 succinct pages, the reader is exposed to Fox, his empowering panentheistic theology, the forgotten Creation Spirituality vein of mystical Christianity, and his postmodern manifesto in which Fox, ala Luther, challenges Both Catholic AND Protestant Christianity to transform and recover the powerful path of the Via Transformativa.

If you're tired of the religion ABOUT Jesus of Nazareth and you are ready to embrace the spirituality OF Jesus of Nazareth, read this book !

Congrats "FatherMotherPope" Matthew !!
Thanks for your courage, compassion, wisdom and essence !

From an ex-catholic boy "goin to hell", thanks to my Roman Catholic heritage for giving me something to transcend, yet include.

Without Fox, Spong, Crossan, Borg, Pagels, Mithchell, Dossey, Wilber, Thich Nat Hanh, et al, I would still be roaming the "wasteland"..

Blessings,

Vic Simon

RoseLotus- Both the Cosmic Christ and the Kosmic Buddha

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Matthew Fox at His Easiest, January 5, 2007

By 

Madelyn Blair (Jefferson, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A New Reformation: Creation Spirituality and the Transformation of Christianity (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading this proclamation. It certainly touched on the many points that are contentious in today's church and summarized how one dreams the church would be rather than laboring the point without resolution. It's a quick read, but it gets the mind thinking.