The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox
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On the Cosmic Christ in Early Christianity 02/15/2023 |
I ended yesterday’s DM with the observation that the Cosmic Christ is the oldest Christology in the New Testament. Why is that so? Because Paul and the Gospel of Thomas
initiate that awareness of the omnipresence of Christ in the microcosm and macrocosm of the universe. |
It is truly interesting to me that Teilhard de Chardin, having rescued the archetype of
the Cosmic Christ in the 20th century, observed that he could not find anyone—theologians or lay people—who wanted to explore with him this “third nature of Christ.” Thomas Merton made a similar observation when he noted that the
“cosmic | The monogram of Christ surrounded by four archangels, mosaic vault, Archiepiscopal Chapel, Ravenna, c. 500 C.E. (photo: GFreihalter, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped). |
mediation of Christ” as found, for example in Paul’s letter to the Colossians (1:15-17) left him “astounded that they receive so little attention from Christians today." I offer the following list of Scriptural references to
the Cosmic Christ in the New Testament. Among the following passages, many are most likely hymns in the first century of Christianity: Philippians 2:1-24; Romans 8:14-39; Colossians 1:15-20; Ephesians 1: 3-14; Hebrews 1:1-4; John 1: 1-18. And throughout the Book of Revelation including 1:5-7; 5:13f; 11:15-18; 12:1-17; 21:1-6 and more. I offer a basic exegesis and explanation of each of these rich teachings on the Cosmic Christ in my book, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ. |
Both/and: "Chrysanthemums and Bamboo" by Buddhist monk/calligrapher Shitao (1656-1707), who wrote: "writing and painting are two extremes of a single art [of expression], accomplished in the same way." WikiArt. | In addition, the Cosmic Christ is found in the Gospels and Acts mostly as themes and stories and experiences such as Bishop Marc Andrus and myself gathered and artists M C. Richards and Ullrrich Javier Lemus depicted in clay tablets in our book, The Stations of the Cosmic Christ. Themes such as these: the Birth Narratives; the Baptism and Temptation in the Desert; the Transfiguration; The Crucifixion; the Resurrection; the Ascension; the Pentecost; and the “I am” sayings found in John’s gospel. This adds up to no small amount of the Christian Bible. I also include in The Coming of the Cosmic Christ how
theologians of |
other eras, both the Greek Fathers of the Church and especially the Middle Ages have so much to say about the Cosmic Christ. Given all this evidence of the Cosmic Christ in Christian history it is astounding how the modern era was able to practically snuff out the riches of that lineage and render Christianity sentimental, violent, flat, boring, insipid, and hostile to indigenous wisdom that begins religion not with the human but with the sacredness of
creation (as does Genesis one). |
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Adapted from Matthew Fox, The Coming of the Cosmic Christ, pp. 83-128. And Matthew Fox, A Way To God: Thomas Merton’s Creation Spirituality Journey, p. 236. And Matthew Fox and Marc Andrus, Stations of the Cosmic
Christ.
See also Matthew Fox and Marc Andrus, Stations of the Cosmic Christ Meditation Cards a.nd Guide Booklet Banner Image: Mosaic of Christ on High with Book of Life, Early Byzantine c.549, Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna, Italy. Public Domain, WikiArt. |
Queries for Contemplation Take any one of the Scriptural references above and read the text and meditate on it. |
Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, please click HERE
to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The Healing of Mother
Earth and the Birth of a Global Renaissance
In what may be considered the most comprehensive outline of the Christian paradigm shift of our Age, Matthew Fox eloquently foreshadows the manner in which the spirit of Christ resurrects in terms of the return to an earth-based mysticism, the expression of creativity, mystical sexuality, the respect due the young, the rebirth of effective forms of worship—all of these mirroring the ongoing
blessings of Mother Earth and the recovery of Eros, the feminine aspect of the Divine.
“The eighth wonder of the world…convincing proof that our Western religious tradition does indeed have the depth of imagination to reinvent its faith.” — Brian Swimme, author or The Universe Story and Journey of the Universe. | |
A Way to God: Thomas Merton’s Creation
Spirituality Journey In A Way to God, Fox explores Merton’s pioneering work in interfaith, his essential teachings on mixing contemplation and action, and how the vision of Meister
Eckhart profoundly influenced Merton in what Fox calls his Creation Spirituality journey. “This wise and marvelous book will profoundly inspire all those who love Merton and want to know him more deeply.” — Andrew Harvey, author of The Hope: A Guide to Sacred Activism Goodbye. | |
Stations of the Cosmic Christ This is a book of meditations on the Cosmic Christ, accompanying the images of 16 wonderful clay tablets by Javier Ullrrich Lemus and M.C. Richards. Together, these images and meditations go far beyond the traditional Stations of the Cross to inspire a spirit awakening and
understanding of the cosmic Christ Consciousness, Buddha consciousness, and consciousness of the image of God in all beings, so needed in our times.
“A divinely inspired book that must be read by every human being devoted to spiritual and global survival. It is cosmically brilliant.” — Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit | |
Stations of the Cosmic Christ Meditation Cards and Guide
Booklet
Beautiful full-color cards from Stations of the Cosmic Christ to aid in your meditations on the Cosmic Christ, featuring the images of 16 wonderful clay tablets by Javier Ullrrich Lemus and M.C. Richards. Step beyond the traditional Stations of the Cross and experience a spirit awakening and understanding of the cosmic Christ Consciousness, Buddha consciousness, and consciousness of the image of God in all beings,
so needed in our times. Includes an instruction booklet containing suggestions on how to use the cards. | |
See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE |
Join Matthew Fox and special guest Caroline Myss for a 6-part course, “The Fire Inside: How John of the Cross’s Creation Spirituality and Mystical Activism Inspires Our Own”
hosted by the Caroline Myss Educational Institute. Tuesdays & Thursdays, February 7-23, 4:00pm-5:30pm PT. Register HERE. Join Matthew Fox for a lecture and Q&A on “The Reinvention of Work – A New Vision of Livelihood for Our Time” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, March 16,
4:00-6:00 pm PT. Register HERE. Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew Fox at the Center for Contemporary Mysticism discusses “Birthing a New World: Can Creation-Centered Spirituality Help Reclaim the Sacredness of the Earth?" | |
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