Creativity

August 26, 2002
Once more, with feeling. Having written more than 20 books on the themes of prayer, spirituality and concern for the earth, Episcopal priest and New Age icon Fox doesn't plow much new territory in this intermittently eloquent meditation on tapping into the power of human creativity. Using nuggets of wisdom from various religions and philosophies, with Christian terminology used to buttress his points, the founder and president of the University of Creation Spirituality argues that we are living in a time of ecological and spiritual crisis. In using our creativity, that which differentiates us from other species, in nurturing our sense of gratitude for life as a gift and accepting the inevitability of suffering, we can consciously decide to be faithful to our divine potential and likeness. The choice is ours: praise, joy and union with the universe, or addiction, consumerism and destruction. All of our social, religious, economic systems, even our personal lifestyle choices, are in dire need of re-examination and renewal, says the author. "This is redemption: that we be creative like God is. And that our creativity and co-creation serve God's agenda, which is always compassion." Pushing well beyond the bounds of conventional Christian doctrine, the writer's attempt to shape a new ethic will be welcomed by his many fans. Whether this sometimes repetitive and occasionally provocative book will inspire new converts remains to be seen.