Dare to imagine a new birth from deep within Christianity, a fresh stirring of the Spirit.
"The walls of Western Christianity are collapsing. In many parts of the West that collapse can only be described as seismic.... There are three main responses or reactions to this collapse. The first is to deny that it is happening. The second is to frantically try to shore up the foundations of the old thing. The third, which I invite us into, is to ask what is trying to be born that requires a radical reorientation of our vision. What is the new thing that is trying to emerge from deep within us and from deep within the collective soul of Christianity?"
—from the Introduction
In the midst of dramatic changes in Western Christianity, internationally respected spiritual leader, peacemaker and scholar John Philip Newell offers the hope of a fresh stirring of the Spirit among us. He invites us to be part of a new holy birth of sacred living. Speaking directly to the heart of Christians—those within the well-defined bounds of Christian practice and those on the disenchanted edges—as well as to the faithful and seekers of other traditions, he explores eight major features of a new birthing of Christianity:
- Coming back into relationship with the Earth as sacred
- Reconnecting with compassion as the ground of true relationship
- Celebrating the Light that is at the heart of all life
- Reverencing the wisdom of other religious traditions
- Rediscovering spiritual practice as the basis for transformation
- Living the way of nonviolence among nations
- Looking to the unconscious as the wellspring of new vision
- Following love as the seed-force of new birth in our lives and world
Internationally respected spiritual leader and author John Philip Newell challenges us to explore the major features of a new beginning for Christianity. Speaking directly to the heart of all Christians-as well as to the faithful and seekers of other traditions-he invites us to be part of a new holy birth of sacred living.
"Occasionally I read a book that leads me to think, 'I wish I had written that.' This is one of those books."
-Marcus Borg, author, The Heart of Christianity and Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, among other books
"Draw[s] from fresh, deep springs of faith ... placing before us the challenge of our day: Will we allow God to be born anew in us, in the earth, in the cosmos? Will we embody the ever-new life of the Source from which we come?"
-Mary C. Earle, author, Celtic Christian Spirituality: Essential Writings-Annotated and Explained
"Wow.... This book will move you ... with fresh insight into the rebirth of everything. What a writer, what a book!"
-Rob Bell, author, Love Wins and What We Talk about When We Talk about God
"From page one to the conclusion, John Philip Newell engages our imagination and as we read we are born anew. His writing is a blessing!"
-Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, former executive director, U.S. World Council of Churches; author, Living into Hope: A Call to Spiritual Action for Such a Time as This
"Reconnecting is the word! The deep connection is already there and given, but this little book of wisdom will help you to find the essential message again-and in fresh, intelligent ways."
-Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico
"Courageous.... A refreshing cup of cool, clear water for our spirits that enlivens us for the journey beyond the stumbling blocks of unquestioned doctrine toward a reconnection with the earth and the human capacity for awareness, compassion and spiritual practices that restore awe and hope for our enacted faith."
-Thomas V. Wolfe, president, Iliff School of Theology
