The Rebirthing of God: Christianity's Struggle for New Beginnings

"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

“We at ReadTheSpiritmagazine sometimes overlook great new books, until colleagues reach out to us and urge us to recommend them. Such is the case with John Philip Newell''s new The Rebirthing of God: Christianity''s Struggle for New Beginnings, which was released some months ago. Of course we can heartily recommend this book! ReadTheSpirit editor David Crumm and publisher John Hile have made multiple pilgrimages to the centuries-old Christian community on the island of Iona, which defines John Philip''s life and is a cornerstone of the stories in this slim new volume. And, we have recommended his other books in recent years, including A New Harmony as well as Praying with the Earth. This new book inspires us especially, because John Philip includes inspirational profiles of men and women who we also celebrate in Interfaith Peacemakers,including Aung San Suu Kyi, Thomas Merton, Mahatma Gandhi and Simone Weil. (If you''ve enjoyed our stories about these heroic saints, then you''ll definitely want to read John Philip''s stories about them in this new book, as well.) Duncan Newcomer''s Perspective Long-time contributing writer, scholar and author Duncan Newcomer prompted today''s column, recommending The Rebirthing of God. Last week, Duncan wrote to our home office that he had just used an illustration from the new book in a sermon he preached. Duncan wrote: I read John Philip''s book and was so astonished that I read it a second time. Then, I outlined the book, because I know I''m going to be discussing it as I travel and speak to groups around the country. Recently, I told John Philip: "While I will always most highly favor your 2003 book, Shakespeare and the Human Mystery, this new one may be your best in that it has such an intense and clear focus, incredibly condensed and urgent. It''s a unique and remarkable collection of sources and resources all dramatically presented in their essence. What seems most remarkable is that you have collected a cohort of strong, originally and courageously involved people to quote--and you give us cameo images of their lives." As I read the book, I thought: Imagine a round-table discussion of all the people we meet in these pages! John Philip Newell''s Perspective Then, here''s a page from John Philip''s new book to give you a feeling for his style in these inspirational stories. Many passages are, indeed, about the lives of interfaith heroes. But, again and again, John Philip brings these ideas home to his native Scotland and frequently tells us about experiences on Iona itself. After describing the compassion that defines the life of Aung San Suu Kyi, he writes: Many years ago when my wife and I were hiking in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland we had just reached one of the highest peaks, Sgoran Dubh, when a thick cloud descended on s. It covered the mountain. The mist was so thick that we could barely see our outstretched hands. Climbing in the Cairngorms can be dangerous. Every year hikers die in such circumstances, slipping off precipitous cliffs. Sgoran Dubh can be particularly treacherous because a few yards from its summit there is a sheer drop of over 2,000 feet to the next glen. In this 13th-century illumination, a Divine compass is used to measure and connect points in the creation of the universe. We knew where we were and we had a compass and a map. So we took a reading and, one step at a time, followed our readings of the map and compass down the mountain. There were moments when we could barely believe the compass was right. At times our senses were telling us something entirely different. But we knew that we had to place our faith in the compass. In the end we emerged safely from the cloud down the mountainside. Notice the similarity between the word "compass" and the word "compassion." They share an etymological root. The earliest use of the word compass does not, of course, refer to the modern hiking compass as we know it, the one I had in hand as we descended the mountain. The word is first used to refer to the mathematical compass, that simple two-pronged device that many of us remember using in grade school to measure the distance between two points and to draw arcs and circles. A compass, then, is used to determine the relationship between two points. The related word compassion is about honoring the relationship between two people or between one group and another, and remembering those who suffer. It is about making the connection between the heart of my being and the heart of yours, and following that connection--just as we followed the compass in descending the mist-covered mountain--even when we are filled with doubts as to whether we are moving in the right direction. - See more at: #sthash.8Zp0TQ1h.dpuf.”

"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

John Philip Newell is a poet, scholar, teacher, and Church of Scotland minister recognized for his work in Celtic spirituality and passionate about seeking peace in the world and harmony between its great spiritual traditions. His books include Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality, Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter, and Christ of the Celts: The Healing of Creation.

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

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