Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #263507 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-14
• Released on: 2006-02-26
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

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.

About the Author
Matthew Fox was a member of the Dominican Order in good standing for 34 years until he was expelled by Pope Joseph Ratzinger, who was a cardinal and chief inquisitor at the time. Matthew Fox is the founder of Wisdom University (formerly the University of Creation Spirituality) and 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 26 books, including Original Blessing and The Coming of the Cosmic Christ.

Customer Reviews

It's time to take a stand
Matthew Fox gives us the courage to take a stand and speak out for our beliefs without guilt and fear.

Matthew Fox found his voice many decades ago and has helped us find ours. Although he has been "silenced" by the Catholic institutional church and has been expelled from the Dominican community, his heart is still rooted in his heritage. Nevertheless, he is determined to go forth and help transform the community that Christ came on earth to teach us.

This transformed community that Matthew Fox is building creates instead of rules. Fox is not out to change the Catholic church but to bring back the new life that once was in the beginning. The living Christ.

Thank you Matthew Fox, you have been a wonderful leader and mentor in my spiritual quest.

Other books for your consideration:
Meditations with Meister Eckhart by Matthew Fox
Who Told You That You Were Naked?: Freedom From Judgement, Guilt and Fear of Punishment by John Jacob Raub
The Wisdom of Wilderness: Experiencing the Healing Power of Nature by Gerald G May
Radical Optimism: Practical Spirituality in an Uncertain World by Beatrice Bruteau

7 Years of Searching for the Meaning of Witness....
Beyond Belief....and I have worked for the church for over 22 years....I have sat through numerous meetings and listened to "WHY" the GIRM was important and why the power of once coming along side the church leadership was NOW going to be stripped of the layity in the NAME OF POWER to be re-bestoyed upon FATHER! Scychophants - my word has been "POD PEOPLE" - has been a wonderful awakening that I was NOT the only one to witness a NORMAL group of seminarians that go to seminary and come back pod people filled up with notions that only appease the powers that be. After serving and giving well over 70 to 80 hours of work for the church each week - this has been the hardest thing to witness and in the name of Matthew Fox an educated theologian that has dared to put this book in print HE HAS ANSWERED WHAT WE HAVE ALL WITNESSED AND HAVE WONDERED AT TIMES ARE WE GOING CRAZY!!??? Thank you Dr. Matthew Fox for your courage - do NOT allow them to ever silence you! We need people of truth and we are standing behind you - attempting to uncover and LIVE THE TRUTH! For as Jesus said and the TRUTH SHALL SET US FREE! Blessings of God's Peace Always!!!

Matthew Fox in abbeviated form
Fox discusses the full range of his previous work in this slim volume. I found the background material more helpful in setting the framework for his 95 theses than the actual theses. Although the actual theses offered much to consider, point by point,as well. It is refreshing and necessary to listen to voices of dissent. It is necessary, also, to dream and create new realities. Fox inspires and challenges all, not just the institutional church, but all people of faith to lean further into their belief and thus transform our world.