belief or trust: part 2

While I’m having all of these thoughts about belief vs. trust, I’ve been reading Matthew Fox’s classic theological work Original Blessing. This isn’t a recent work and it’s been on my “to read” stack for far too long. Simply put, I’m captivated.

Fox offers a systematic theology of what he terms the creation-centered spiritual tradition which stands as an alternative or a corrective to the fall/redemption Christianity we’ve all been schooled in formally or informally. This tradition, he writes, is grounded in scripture and the pre-Augustinian tradition. The core element of his theology being that humanity is created and remains in a state of original blessing, not original sin. From there he demonstrates how a Christianity that’s centered in creation and original blessing is a healthier, more mature, less self-centered, peace and justice oriented, hospitality rich spirituality that is fed by energy from the prophetic future. Wow.

Fox rejects dualisms such as belief and unbelief, favoring a spirituality that is a journey of trust.  The communion of saints of the creation-centered spiritual tradition include Irenaeus, Hildegard of Bingen, Meister Eckhart and others of the mystical tradition. This is one of the few times I’ve opened a book to find a theological world view that pulls together so much of the journey of transformation I’ve been on for the past eight years and which I see so many Christians in my faith communities hungry for. I’ve pulled out a folder and a yellow pad, taking notes and making lists of books to read. This will teach!