The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
By Gianluigi Gugliermetto 11/26/2025 |
Over the course of many years, I have met many people who have encountered the theology put forward by Matthew Fox. Often, he was the very reason why I was meeting such people, so it is not a surprise that the great majority of them were aware of Matt's criticism of the doctrine of original sin. |
Originally put forward by Saint Augustine in the late 4th century, and later confirmed by several ecclesiastical synods in the West, this extremely influential doctrine issued from a combination of Augustine’s skewed reading of Genesis 2-3, his own troubled mind and personal history, as well as his honest desire to solve the problem represented by people’s |
“Original Blessing, Revisited.” Joanna Macy writes about Matthew’s book, Original Blessing. Video by Matthew Fox. |
(apparently natural) inclination towards evil acts. |
Back to the people I spoke to, virtually all of them expressed their sense of release and joy in discovering that they were not carrying a blemish from birth, that their souls were not tarnished or stained for reasons independent of their actions. Given that
in Augustinian theology that stain is bleached away by baptism, it remains very difficult for people raised within the shadow of such a theology — which means most Christians in the West, both Catholic and Protestants — to believe that the act of baptism by itself can perform the miracle of wholeness. Especially if they don’t experience anything in connection to such a presumed miracle. Not to speak of theologians who have claimed that traces of original sin remain — in other words, one cannot
really aspire to wholeness in this world but only in the next. |
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| The genius of Fox’s critique to original sin resides — in my mind — in zeroing on the
psychological double-bind in which people are pigeonholed: I am essentially faulty, but I must become perfect. This is, of course, the |
perfect recipe for acute neurosis, and in fact the religious history of the West is filled with people suffering from it. I have observed in some cases, with professional theologians, that it is impossible to debate the merits of Fox’s theology on this central point, because my dialogue partner is entrenched psychologically into such a double-bind. I am essentially faulty, but I must become perfect. Both parts of this phrase are psychologically unhealthy: the notion that something essential within me is not right and cannot be truly be made right, and the notion that I must strive to be morally perfect, obeying all the dictates of ethical/religious laws down to their details. Not only, however, is each of these two sentences problematic, their combination
represents the bomb that Matthew Fox has tried to defuse. |
My way of presenting this central point shows why I am interested in the relationship between psychological health and spiritual health. I don’t claim them to be the same, but I believe that they are deeply connected. From my experience with people, I derive the conviction that |
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until the double-bind is resolved psychologically, a truly spiritual path cannot be entertained. There can be a strong desire, an intense longing, at time even a ravenous one, to be on a spiritual path, but the block represented by such a double-bind is too strong to allow even the first step. |
The human spiritual path, in fact, is symbolized by the search for wholeness, for the integration of all parts of oneself. Wholeness must be perceived as a worthy finish line, and an attainable one as well. And one must be able to experience the changes which constellate and constitute the path. Then, and
only then, one can accept imperfections and lack of completness, if that must be. |
Banner Image: “The Earthly Paradise with the Fall of Adam and Eve.” Painting by Peter Paul Rubens / Jan Brueghel the Elder. Wikimedia Commons. |
Queries for Contemplation What is your personal history with the doctrine of original sin and how have
you overcome its shadow-side?
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Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialogue, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
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| Counterpoint: A Response to Peter Thiel’s Antichrist An Important Conversation with Matthew Fox and Gil Duran Did you miss this two-session series with its powerful counter-narrative rooted in wisdom, justice, and authentic |
spirituality? This is your chance to
add it to your library of classics to be watched, re-watched, and contemplated. Fox explores the archetype of Christ and Antichrist as it plays out in our world today but also in artists of old. He draws from the teachings of Jesus and Hildegard of Bingen, Meister Eckhart, Carl Jung, and other mystics and visionaries, illuminating the stark contrast between life-giving and life-destroying spiritual energies. Purchase HERE. |
UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE |
Join Matthew Fox in a lecture and Q&A on “Dorothee Soelle: Mystical Feminist Who Transformed Theology through Suffering,” a presentation in the Spiritual Wanderlust Mystics and Prophets series. Saturday, December 6, 9:00am-10:30am Register HERE.Join Matthew Fox in a lecture and Q&A on “Dorothee Soelle: Mystical Feminist Who Transformed Theology through Suffering,” a presentation in the Spiritual Wanderlust Mystics and Prophets series.
Saturday, December 6, 9:00am-10:30am Register HERE. |
Celebrate the traditional feast of the Black Madonna and the Immaculate Conception when Rev. Dr. Matthew Fox joins award-winning singer/author Alessandra Belloni and music director John La Barbera in a 90-minute online event, “Honoring the Black Madonna as Our Lady of Freedom (Madonna della Libera),” in which they share the wisdom of the Black Madonna and her healing powers for our times when both democracy and Mother Earth are
in peril. Alessandra will also talk about her book Healing Journeys with the Black Madonna and present a 10-minute excerpt of her movie Musical Journeys with the Black Madonna in |
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Join Matthew Fox in a free 4-session Online Lecture/Discussion/Q&A event, “Creation Spirituality and the Celebrating & Healing of Mother Earth & Ourselves,” co-presented by the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin and Matthew Fox Legacy Project. Wednesdays, January 14, 21,28, February 4, 2026, 4:00pm-5:30pm
PT January 14 - Creation as an Original Blessing and the Springboard of Awe and Wonder January 21 - Sacred Mother Earth: The Holiness of Creation and Recovering the Cosmic Christ January 28 - The Cosmic Mass, and the Stations of the Cosmic Christ: Reinvigorating Liturgy and Rituals February 4 - Jesus as a Teacher of Democracy and the Renewal of Education and Values through the “10 Cs” Register HERE |
Join Matthew Fox in a new 6-month program of mystical wisdom for a new world. In this 6-month immersion program with Matthew, you’ll explore what it means to be a modern mystic and prophet, integrating this sacred knowledge into your life through the authentic teachings of Jesus and other wisdom keepers. This journey births what Matthew calls Christianity 2.0 — based not on dogma, but on a spirituality that recovers the sacred sense of original goodness. By Application only - apply
HERE Register for a free information session HERE |
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Awakening the Divine Human: An Immersion in the Living Wisdom of Creation Spirituality …a week-long retreat in Sardinia, Italy, May 25-30, 2026 Join us on the sacred
island of Sardinia for a deeply immersive 6-day retreat rooted in the teachings of Matthew Fox, C.G. Jung, and the ancient wisdom of the land. Set along the turquoise shores and among the Neolithic sites of this timeless Mediterranean island, this retreat invites you into a transformative journey of reconnection—with Earth, Self, Gender, and the Divine. Learn more HERE. |
MONTHLY: Join Matthew Fox and Skylar Wilson of the Order of the Sacred Earth in a free virtual meeting for connection and networking with other mystic warriors. Last Tuesday of every month, 4:00-5:00pm PT.
Join Zoom Meeting HERE, Meeting ID: 886 6530 2478 Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Join Matthew Fox for a transformative 4-part series that brings together some of the most provocative spiritual leaders, thinkers, and activists of our time. Together, we’ll explore the deep spiritual roots of this political moment and uncover pathways toward
collective action, resilience, and renewal. Learn more HERE. |
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Inspired by this post? Share your insights on BlueSky, Instagram, Universeodon, or Facebook using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
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