Original Blessing

Matthew Fox's transformational exploration of the roots of "Creation Spirituality" -- a spirituality which believes that we are born in blessing rather than sin, and which honors the mystics, earth religions, and the feminine while remaining within the bounds of orthodoxy (at least in his opinion -- he was kicked out of the Catholic church for his writing).

This is book is a dense, fabulous ride through the joyousness possible in Christianity, embracing elements of the tradition which many people think they can not find there. Fox's scholarship and theology are outstanding, as is his sheer exuberance for his topic.

This is a book I frequently recommend to people who are disenchanted with Christianity, or who think Christianity is all show more about guilt and sin, with no room for an appreciation of other faiths, women, or the earth itself. show less

Essential reading for those interested in creation spirituality, which in secular terms might be called the spirituality of ecology. Matthew Fox is good, but probably not as good as he was touted to be. I much prefer Thomas Berry as a guru on creation spirituality. But Fox's espousal of "original blessing", the idea that we are created blessed, was a welcome antidote to mainstream Christianity's obsession with "original sin", that humanity is naturally corrupt until enlightened or redeemed. Fox actually takes us back to a traditional idea, that we are created in God's image and likeness - how then can we be anything but originally blessed? Sin is a subsequent alienation of humanity from God and from its blessed roots, and from that show more comes the need for reconciliation, redemption, salvation or whatever label one's own brand of Christianity espouses. show less

Essential reading for those interested in creation spirituality, which in secular terms might be called the spirituality of ecology. Fox's espousal of "original blessing", the idea that we are created blessed, was a welcome antidote to mainstream Christianity's obsession with "original sin", that humanity is naturally corrupt until enlightened or redeemed.
(edited version) johnthefireman | Aug 7, 2006 |

Here is a reissue of the critically acclaimed bestseller, named one of the "20 books that changed the world" in New Age Journal's Annual Source Book for 1995. Maverick theologian Matthew Fox provides a daring view of historical Christianity and a theologically sound basis for personal discovery of spiritual liberation.

In this revolutionary work, Fox shows how Christianity once celebrated beauty, compassion, justice, and provided a path of positive knowledge and ecstatic connection with all creation.

The ideas in this book are excellent. I read the first half with excitement. But he does drone on a bit. Marks off for that; extra marks for generosity of spirit and brilliance of thought.

Dense with literary allusion, this book will definitely give you a lot to think about, especially if you have been raised with a "fall-redemption" model of Christianity.

I loved this interpretation of the Eden story in the Bible and it's implications on the role of sin and worthiness.