Sheer Joy: Conversations With Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality

by Matthew Fox

Here is a new edition of one of Matthew Fox's most powerful books, another in a series of the classic works by the maverick priest and theologian that are being reissued by Tarcher/Putnam.

Moving beyond the scholasticism and rationalism that have long cloaked Aquinas, Fox reveals a passionate, prophetic, and mystical celebrator of the blessings of creation. In this compelling, epic work, Fox writes as "a late twentieth-century citizen deeply concerned about the way our species is treating the Earth, our young, women, the poor, our bodies, and our souls." He speaks with St. Thomas Aquinas in a modern forum, questioning the saint about the Four Paths of creation spirituality, and the responses are culled from Aquinas's works, including pieces never before translated into English.

Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Theology, Christianity

560 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 1992

About the author

Timothy James "Matthew " Fox is an American priest and theologian. Formerly a member of the Dominican Order within the Catholic Church, he became a member of the Episcopal Church following his expulsion from the order in 1993.
Fox has written 35 books that have been translated into 68 languages and have sold millions of copies and by the mid-1990s had attracted a "huge and diverse following"

Reviews

[Sher]

Book 69 2012 Reading Challenge- I liked the book, but was uncomfortable with the content, because I'm not in a position to judge how true the author (Mathew Fox) stays with Thomas Aquinas's beliefs. Fox tries to argue Aquinas supports the theology of creation spirituality, which says that man was originally blessed and original sin does not play a role in man's relationship with God. Fox was relieved of his Catholic office for these interpretations. Non is this is a problem for me, but here is how the book is set up. Fox is interviewing the medieval scholar-- Fox asks a question and Aquinas answers. Aquinas's answers are fascinating, but I was never sure if I was reading Aquinas's actual writings, a paraphrase, nor which of Aquinas's writings the answers came from. Aquinas's answers always seem to support Fox's theories of creation spirituality. If you know Aquinas's works well, you will be in a better position to evaluate this interesting book. Creation spirituality is a freeing view and one worth considering. It also follows the Christian Science interpretation of the first chapter in Genesis of how we are created. In creation spirituality we are co-creators an ongoing process.

[Michael Hartland]

Very creative presentation of Aquinas' thoughts through interview-style approach, supported by incredibly detailed research and footnotes.