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Darwin, Divinity, and the Dance of the Cosmos: An Ecological Christianity |
Author: Bruce Sanguin
Published: 2007-02-28 |
List price: $22.95
Our price: $17.90
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As of: January 08th, 2009 12:34:15 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 Had to put this one down
It's rare that I just can't finish a book because I find it an unproductive read. Darwin, Divinity and the Dance of the Cosmos was the exception. I hung in for a hundred pages or so, and only vaguely got his point. Extensive borrowing of material from Brian Swimme made me think he should just tell us to read Swimme's books. Such a radical reinvention of Christianity seems offensive to Christians and "heretics" alike. I certainly wouldn't subtitle the book An Ecological Christianity because it flies in the face of 99% of historic and modern Christian theological treatments. I categorize it in the vast genre of New Age "what was that?" literature. For what it's worth, I have a Ph.D. in ecology and have followed the religion and science debate for about 40 years as an orthodox Christian who holds a deep time and evolutionary view of the universe. I don't consider this a valid contribution to that debate. Read Thank God for Evolution for a serious treatment of the subject, with rave reviews from qualified people.
 A Transforming Ecological Faith Statement
Darwin, Divinity, and the Dance of the Cosmos., An Ecological Christianity, by Bruce Sanguin.
Bruce Sanguin's book creates a new genre of literature through the integral/integrated development of the sciences, faith/spiritual experience, theology and scripture. The book is spirit driven and becomes a thin place itself into Spirit, and the divine. We have been taught since childhood to fear pantheism,(and now Pan-en-theism) but in this book the cosmos and the planet Earth itself becomes alive in ways thought impossible before.
I approached this book concerned that I could not handle the science in the book, but found that Bruce Sanguin is as great a teacher of science as he is of theology. The most challenging thing I experienced in the book was the need to see all species as important as the human species.
The book begins with an inspiring personal story of how the work of Brian Swimme and Thomas Berry totally transformed Bruce's life and ministry. Evolution is then interpreted as a Divine Unfolding. On page 124, a faith-ful covenant is "written in the words of the ultimate" that will transform you.
Just as the fans of Ken Wilbur will be inspired by the content of this book, readers of Marcus Borg will appreciate chapter five that unfolds once again, the four overarching narratives of scripture and the meaning they bring to our place in the cosmos. They are, the Story of the Exodus (Freedom), The Story of the Exile (Homecoming), and the Story of the Temple (Sacrifice). Bruce adds his own; The Story of call and response: the God of allurement. The Gospels are then opened up in relevant interpretations, as if seen for the first time. Other Gospel stories are provided through renewed midrash interpretations.
The most inspiring thing about Bruce Sanguin's book is that he brings us to an epiphany of hopefulness through a review of the science of the Earth's capacity to renew itself. We have a short time to turn things around. If we don't, the earth may still renew itself, after appearing to die. But, then our great grandchildren do not benefit. In the reading of the book the following saying/quote constantly resurfaced in my mind; "Without God, we cannot, Without us, God will not." Clearly this book helps us really understand what divine wisdom is all about.
While this book is written for a Christian audience, any person of faith will be inspired by reading it. Bruce Sanguin calls us to a spiritual, international and nonexclusive faith experience that will bring us to our knees. Certainly, we will rise with the rest of the world to assist the Earth in its renewal, and with the rebirth of Earth, be reborn in our sense of AWE. Be prepared to be transformed and renewed in the reading of this book.
G. Eddey, Columbus, Ohio. [...]
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