The Emergent Christ: Exploring the Meaning of Catholic in an Evolutionary Universe

by Ilia Delio O.S.F.

"The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible" -- Albert Einstein

Ilia Delio makes fascinating sense of the universe, beginning with the story of cosmic evolution, coursing through the meaning of God in evolution and the emergence of Christ, and concluding with new ways of seeing Christ in all things. As Teilhard de Chardin did in The Divine Milieu, Ilia Delio reveals the sacrament of God at work in the world.

She also explores the spiritual evolution within each of us and suggests that it will change the cosmos as well as the church. She shows that we are at a stage in evolution where our choices will determine what happens next. "Love," she writes, "always seeks the best for the beloved but God is a beggar of love who waits at the soul's door without daring to force it open. The question of Christ emerging as the personal center of the universe is not a question of yes or no but a question of how that love will evolve." She makes one thing perfectly it is happening and the evidence is astounding.

The Emergent Christ is an antidote to the new atheism that says there is no place in evolution for God, let alone a God of love. It is also a spiritual tonic for Christians interested in understanding their place and purpose in this evolving universe.

Genres: Spirituality, Theology, Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Science

197 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

Reviews

[John Laliberte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through the years I’ve read many books that have attempted to provide a logical and theologically sound foundation for evolution from a Christian perspective. This is the best. Sr. Delio gets a bit deep at times, but it is well worth getting to her main point: God is all about creating wholeness, an ongoing movement / evolution towards wholeness, which permeates every aspect of the universe. This movement / evolution is from the beginning (the Big Bang) to eternity – and is one continuous act of Love.
It’s a short book; with short chapters. That gives you time to reflect and ponder… something I assure you will do. It will give you a whole new perspective on life, on God, on the meaning of Christ.

"Change is integral to God because God is love and love is dynamic relatedness"
"Evolution occurs because God is more interested in advanture than in preserving the status quo"

(there is so much more..."

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Could only read a couple pages at a time. I love reading how what scientists are learning about the expanding universe and the connection of all created matter is expanding my understanding of God.

[Miguel Panão · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about renewing our catholicity through a relational approach to the creative interaction between faith and the material world. Excellent reading suggesting how can we evolve in our relationship with the God of Evolution.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sr. Ilia has a handle on where theology needs to go to be relevant to us now and in the future. Technology and science give us a new language and a new way to hear the Holy. This book excited my about the possibilities of where we can go if we so choose.

[Don Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible! A must read for anyone but especially those who call themselves followers of Christ. What does it mean to follow Christ in the post-modern era?

[Mary Beth]

Powerful book that will give me much to think about for a very long time. I'm looking forward to more exposure to Ilia Delio.

[Philip Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The emergence of Christ depends on our capacity to love, to become whole-makers. The love of God is poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, and it is always new.The Spirit is the dynamic newness of love that draws us into unity, into rleationships that demands our constant participation.Whether we see the present moment as hopeful or hopeless, it is our moment to act."

Ilia Delio weaves our consciousness into the above, in this delightful book. Yake the time, to meditate, to allow the chapters to permeate our closed system, we need to become open, to grasp the call to action.

[Jim Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual Ilia Delio is provocative. She presents a view of Christ that expands your horizons. If I have any criticism it’s she is a bit repetitive. But maybe it takes saying these ideas over and over in slightly different ways for us to begin to understand. Definitely worth reading. Good follow on to Richard Rohr’s The Universal Christ.

[CosmicUnity · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important books on theology, cosmology, and Christology in a very long time!

[B Bevans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible! I never realised my whole concept of God, Christ, the Church and spirituality could be so changed and expanded. Wow, this is a must read.

[Emily Bevans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Ilia Delio, which has opened my eyes.

[Andrew Pritchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book to come back to ... maybe. I read this over a couple of months and felt that I didn't do it justice. At the same time I'm sure it will work away at me and I will know what to look for when I want to delve more deeply. The core for me is Ilia's exploration of the implications of the evolutionary universe for spirituality in general and christianity in particular.
Thoughts I carry:
- God in the future, beyond us, drawing us on.
- God more interested in adventure than in the status quo
- The emergence of Christ depends on our capacity to love,to become whole-makers.
- The Spirit is the dynamic newness of love that draws us into unity, into relationships that
demand our conscious participation.

[Blair Hodges · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started pretty strong, took a turn into over-jargon, concluded with some pop-religious references to things like Eat, Pray, Love and some website called 10.10.10. There is some very valuable stuff in here, but it seems she is largely following the work of other theologians rather than crafting her own new vision of things, so it's unclear why I shouldn't just go right to the main sources of these particular ideas about Christ and evolution and the ways theology interacts with current world-views and assumptions. She also seems to not be a fan of her church, the Catholic church. A full review is on the way soon.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently in the process of re-reading this book. I love Ilia Delio and the way she thinks. This book is one that expands on my vision of God/Jesus/the Christ, and I want my vision to always be expanding. First "met" Delio on Michael Dowd's Evolutionary Christianity web series in 2010-2011. She was one of about 40 speakers he interviewed regarding the question of evolution and how that changes our view of God, etc. It was a wonderful series, and I particularly enjoyed Delio's talk. I've ordered several more of her books and will let you know what I think. If you enjoy "thinking" and being challenged by new thoughts, go for it! Favorite book of 2011.

[Sara floerke · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not fair for me to rate this book because I only understood about 30% of it. Ilia Delio is an incredible thinker and intellect.

She has the ability to reframe the world we live in open up some brand new ways of thinking (to me). This is why we read, so this is probably a book I will come back to.

Although, my rudimentary understanding of physics didn't help. I wish I could grasp those ideas better.

["Jeff" Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delio's book is challenging and, ultimately, rewarding. She begins with the origin of the universe -- big bang theory, not the 6-day version -- and explores faith and religion for the modern day. This author is extremely talented.

[Ma'lis Wendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Ilia Delio's ideas on the place of the Catholic Church in an evolutionary world difficult and fascinating--but I'll read more by her.