A brief introduction to Creation Spirituality

Creation Spirituality or creation-centered spirituality (NOT to be confused with Creationism!) is an ancient theological approach as well as a contemporary religious movement based on a panentheistic cosmology and characterized by a deep reverence for natural life.

The "god" of Creation Spirituality is far beyond the personifying idolatry of mainstream and fundamentalist Christianity and bears much more resemblance to the ineffable Godhead of the ancient mystics as well as to the all-pervading, all-encompassing notion of divinity found among indigenous societies.

Creation Spirituality in its contemporary form has primarily been developed and promoted by the Californian priest and theologian Matthew Fox, though he insists that it is not originally his invention but in fact "the oldest spiritual tradition within the Bible as well as the way of indigenous people".

One of the key concepts of Creation Spirituality is the idea of 'Original Blessing', i.e. the experience of creation as something intrinsically good which is worthy of celebration and reverence. This experience of original blessing is the starting point of creation-centered spirituality as opposed to the fall/redemption tradition of Western theology which begins with the non-biblical and anthropocentric doctrine of original sin which was introduced by the neoplatonist Saint Augustine.

In the course of my studies hitherto I could also identify strong elements of Process Theology, namely the idea that creation is not a past event but an on-going process of manifestation. In Creation Spirituality this is usually expressed and communicated through the image of the goddess mother constantly giving birth to the universe.

Although Creation Spirituality was developed by Rev. Dr. Fox in a primarily Judeo-Christian mythological framework it is not explicitely or entirely Christian but considers itself deep-ecumenical and post-denominational. In fact, I found it highly compatible with my own pagan framework and I have to admit that I personally regard it as one of the best-developed theological approaches towards nature-based spirituality which is available to Western society today.

I guess it doesn't surprise anyone to hear that Fr Fox was silenced and subsequently kicked out of the Dominican order on the Vatican's initiative during the early 90s. By the way, one of the driving forces behind the removal of this 'dangerous and deviant' heretic was a certain Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Yes, my fellow Germans, we're talking about the same Bavarian mafioso, gay basher, misogynist and theological bully who in the meantime has placed his not-quite-so-holy butt on the Throne of Peter!

It is interesting (though again not exactly surprising) to note that within the Catholic church mindless obedience to dogma and official doctrine still seems to take priority over attempts to reform the predominant Western religious tradition into a healthy, justice and compassion-based spiritual path with the power to transform our sick society for the better.

As my studies of Creation Spirituality go on I hope I will be able to keep you updated on this topic and provide you with deeper insights into this vibrant contemporary religious movement.