Fox has since been accepted by the Episcopal people as a priest. But his real work is in his books which now number about 28 and his speaking engagements like this one tonight in Charlotte.
Basically, Fox made a number of points. I got these: 1) Jesus never heard of original sin. 2) "Original Sin" is a concept developed by religions to suit their purposes, subjugate their people and keep women in their place. 3) Jesus was not a Christian. 4) The bible is a book for us to read, and so is Creation (that is the world - including its plants, animals, people and the planet itself). It also is a book for us to read. One of those books was written by people a LONG time ago in different languages, for various purposes. The book of Creation is updated daily. 5) A mystic must make room in his heart to express awe for the wonders of this creation 6) Praise is the prerequisite to man's understanding. It precedes faith. 7) Praise is the "Original Blessing" which he contrasted with the religious concept of "Original Sin", and it comes from God THROUGH us. 8) To thoroughly understand God to the point of "domesticating" God is to make an idol of God. 9) We need new forms of worship today. 10) "Wisdom" was the name of one of the the great Goddess. She is still alive today and the church has been unable to destroy her.
There was more. That was what I got. Matthew Fox is not a voice crying in a wilderness, he is part of a great choir singing a new song about new heavens and new earths. One of the greatest explorations in the history of the world is not the conquering of unknown lands, or the interrelationship with people other than your own kind, or even the exploration of outer space. It is the meeting of mankind and God - the establishment of a "dialog" between these different aspects of both God and us, and a continuing awareness of the wonders which are streaming upon us constantly and which we too often either ignore or destroy.
No comments:
Post a Comment