Harvey CoxRecensioni

The Secular City has been hailed as a classic for its nuanced exploration of the relationships among the rise of urban civilization, the decline of hierarchical, institutional religion, and the place of the secular within society. Now, half a century later, this international best seller remains as relevant as when it first appeared. The book's arguments - that secularity has a positive effect on institutions, that the city can be a space where people of all faiths fulfill their potential, and that God is present in both the secular and formal religious realms - still resonate with readers of all backgrounds

various authors & Fletcher

its liberties and discipline

PB-7

Looks at the attraction of Western people to the Eastern religions.

Cox brings a conversational tone and a scholar's knowledge of critical methods and sources to How to Read the Bible. His selected stories are both examples of literary, historical, geographical, even archaeological understandings. Yet Cox never loses sight of the spiritual motivation that most readers bring to scripture. A deeply informative overview and highly recommended.

Fire from Heaven is one massive mea culpa! In 1965 Harvey Cox released The Secular City where he presupposed the arrival of a post-religious age. In the preface to Fire from Heaven, Cox acknowledged that now it is "secularity, not spirituality, that may be headed for extinction" (xv). The growth of worldwide pentecostalism is a major factor in this flip-flop of opinion.

For Cox, pentecostalism represents an outbreak of primal spirituality that had been repressed by the formalism of religion. Through the recovery of primal speech (glossolalia), primal piety (signs and wonders), and primal hope (endtime eschatology), pentecostalism has proven to be the form in which humanity's latent spiritual desires took shape.

As a container for primal spirituality, pentecostalism is exceedingly adaptable. Cox shows how pentecostalism welcomes liberation theology in Latin America, shamanism in Korea, and even tribal healing practices in Zimbabwe. Far from being an achilles heel, Cox understands this tendency toward religious syncretism as pentecostalism's great strength.

Fire from Heaven is part spiritual autobiography and part history. Cox's willingness to pen his own thoughts adds a sense of genuineness to the story. This same autobiographical sense also colors his interpretation. In the chapter "Music Brought Me to Jesus," Cox developed an extended analogy between jazz music and pentecostalism (Cox is a jazz saxophonist). While some of the points are fitting, there are a couple major flaws with this argument. First, the actual music of pentecostalism has always tended toward simple folk, roots, and rock styles. More importantly, jazz is highly a sophisticated form of music—an ethos in direct contradiction with pentecostalism's underprivileged roots.

Another obvious flaw in Cox's book is the way he only criticized North American pentecostalism. His examples deserved the criticism he delivered, but surely a more unbiased view might find reason to critique other expressions of pentecostalism outside the author's continent.

Cox has delivered a highly readable interesting analysis of global pentecostalism. His central thesis, that pentecostalism is the vehicle for an outburst of primal spirituality, is thought provoking and could very well be true. Time will tell whether his conclusions in Fire from Heaven weather better than Secular City.½

Love it! I expected a quick read but there is so much content in this book. I thank the author its publishing. My only wish is that it were longer or gave more examples of what the students did in class.

Since its initial publication in 1965, The Secular City has been hailed as a classic for its nuanced exploration of the relationships among the rise of urban civilization, the decline of hierarchical, institutional religion, and the place of the secular within society. Now, half a century later, this international best seller remains as relevant as when it first appeared. The book's arguments - that secularity has a positive effect on institutions, that the city can be a space where people of all faiths fulfill their potential, and that God is present in both the secular and formal religious realms - still resonate with readers of all backgrounds. For this brand-new edition, Harvey Cox provides a substantial and updated introduction. He reflects on the book's initial stunning success in an age of political and religious upheaval and makes the case for its enduring relevance at a time when the debates that The Secular City helped ignite have caught fire once again.

Rachel said basically everything I would want to.

A great overview of the Pentecostal history of the church and reads like a novel! It will increase your appreciation for how God uses different traditions and movements in the Church.

NO OF PAGES: 305 SUB CAT I: Jewish - Christian Relations SUB CAT II: SUB CAT III: DESCRIPTION: Harvey Cox, the distinguished Christian theologian and scholar of religion, has a Jewish wife and son. From the Passover meal to the weekly Sabbath candles, from the marriage chuppah to the walls of old Jerusalem, he has shared in the joys and responsibilities of the Jewish faith. Celebrating the Jewish holidays, he has had the opportunity to reflect on the essence of Judaism and its complex relationship to Christianity, an experience that continues to deepen his understanding of his own faith.
In COMMON PRAYERS, Cox takes readers on an intimate journey through the Jewish year. An insightful and charming guide, he illuminates the meanings of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah and the "December madness" of Chanukah and Christmas, as well as those of less well known holidays such as Sukkot and Simchat Torah and of events such as death and marriage. Describing in elegant, accessible language the holidays' personal, historical, and spiritual significance and the lessons they offer us, Cox brings a unique perspective to this encounter with a faith not his own. As seen through his eyes, the Jewish holidays become a wellspring of discovery and reflection.
For many Christians, this book will offer a revelation of the rituals and traditions practiced by Jewish friends and relatives and an occasion to reflect on their own faith. For Jews, a Christian theologian's thoughtful view of their religion is certain to bring new and refreshing insights. And for every reader, COMMON PRAYERS promises a deeply touching journey, full of surprises, across the lines of faith and an opportunity to contemplate the wider context of his or her own spirituality.NOTES: Purchased from the Amazon Marketplace. SUBTITLE: Faith, Family and a Christian's Journey Through the Jewish Year

A celebrated professor and theologian at Harvard Divinity School, Harvey Cox is a prolific writer who focuses on the intersection of religion and culture. The Future of Faith (2009) posits that Christianity is now entering its third Age. The Age of Faith, starting with Christ and his disciples, lasted for a couple centuries, and is characterized by explosive growth in decentralized groups energetically living to create God's Kingdom on Earth.

With Contantine's legitimization of Christianity, with its attendant clerical class, the Age of Belief emerged. Taking us up to recent times, this era has seen Christianity become bogged down in creeds and 'belief' which are stated checklists as to membership. Cox sees these as being used, not so much to differentiate Christians from those of other faith traditions, but to attack and persecute other Christians for not quite measuring up to whatever standard is in vogue.

I found most interesting our current transition to the Age of the Spirit with revitalized centers in Africa, South America, and Asia (outside of the traditional Western strongholds.) The focus is less on hierachy and doctrine and more on a vigorous localized spirituality living out Christ's calling. Cox sees movement away from concern over the afterlife and more to active participation in our world.

Those coming from a strongly creedal tradition might find some of his statements oversimplification. For those, this book offers the opportunity to honor creedal heritage and foundation, while enriching it with a renewed faith and spirituality. I like that Cox emphasized less tenets 'about' Jesus than faith 'in' him, with 'faith' being more related to awe, love and wonder.

This book is deliciously written. I found myself swept up in the contextualization of this important movement. Cox writes it in a way that seems fitting to the movement he is commenting on, like a grand story. I like his balance and his hesitation at just adding to the attacks Pentecostals have had to endure. He outlines some of the important challenges, especially in terms of eschatology. And his discussions on primal religious impulses is fascinating. This book is definitely a worthwhile read from a respectful theologian on a topic that is so important today.½

NF

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