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The Rebirthing of God: Christianity's Struggle for New Beginnings
Dare to imagine a new birth from deep within Christianity, a fresh stirring of the Spirit. "The walls of Western Christianity are collapsing. In many parts of the West that collapse can only be described as seismic.... There are three main responses or reactions to this collapse. The first is to deny that it is happening. The second is to frantically try to shore up the foundations of the old thing. The third, which I invite us into, is to ask what is trying to be born that requires a radical reorientation of our vision. What is the new thing that is trying to emerge from deep within us and from deep within the collective soul of Christianity?" ―from the Introduction In the midst of dramatic changes in Western Christianity, internationally respected spiritual leader, peacemaker and scholar John Philip Newell offers the hope of a fresh stirring of the Spirit among us. He invites us to be part of a new holy birth of sacred living. Speaking directly to the heart of Christians―those within the well-defined bounds of Christian practice and those on the disenchanted edges―as well as to the faithful and seekers of other traditions, he explores eight major features of a new birthing of
160 pages, Hardcover
First published June 6, 2014
141 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
John Philip Newell
35 books107 followersJOHN PHILIP NEWELL is an internationally acclaimed spiritual teacher and popular speaker and the widely read author of several books, including Listening for the Heartbeat of God and A New Harmony. The former Warden of Iona Abbey in the Western Isles of Scotland, he is the founder of The School of Earth and Soul (A Celtic Initiative of Study, Spiritual Practice and Compassionate Action) and teaches regularly in California, New England, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, and Canada as well as leading international pilgrimages to Iona.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
October 23, 2014
For one who does not consider myself traditionally Christian, I found this book to be an awakening to a new view of Christianity. It opened me up in a way that does not often happen. Tears and joy. Consider reading it while sitting in nature, in front of a winter fire, with candlelight. It is a depth-filled short read. I highly recommend it.
August 8, 2014
Important book. Newell's thesis is that Christianity as we have known it in the West is either dying or entering a deep slumber. The question then is what new life is emerging. He paints a hopeful picture of what can be--if we take Jesus of Nazareth seriously.
July 25, 2018
Newell comes from the Celtic Christian tradition and has a radical claim to make that will come us a breath of fresh air to some followers of the Christian tradition and potential heresy to others. He asserts that Western Christianity as we know it is dying and needs to be reborn.
Newell claims that Jesus' words in John 3:7 "You must be born anew" need to be re-envisioned, that they have been "hijacked by religious fundamentalism to give the impression that we need to become something other than ourselves . . . turning from what is deepest within us". Core to Celtic belief is the emphasis on "original blessing" as the most deepest and defining truth of human nature. To be born anew is to awake to this core identity and give birth to "a radical reemergence of the Divine from deep within us. We do not have to create it. We cannot create it. But we can let it spring forth and be reborn in our lives. We can be part of midwifing new holy births in the world".
Newell introduces us to 8 modern prophets that point the way to this re-birthing - in the life of the individual and in our Christian religious tradition. Of note is that not all of these prophets are distinctly Christian in their worldview and experience. Although not all would claim to "believe in" Jesus in the sense that fundamental Christian tradition would require of them to be considered "Christian", they all "believe with" Jesus. This is a distinction that Jewish philosopher Martin Buber makes and claims for his own experience, and that has given me some pause for reflection.
And yet who better to lead us in the rebirth of non-violence than Hindu activist Mahatma Gandhi, who claimed that if Christians had actually done what Jesus taught us to do— namely, love our enemy— the world would long ago have been transformed. Newell is convinced that "radically reclaiming the nonviolence of Jesus’s teachings as an essential feature of rebirthing" and that a teacher of another spiritual tradition may be the best next to Jesus to show us the way.
Much of what Newell offers in his book aligns with the path of renewal of my faith during my decade long exposure to the Christian contemplative tradition. Among the 8 prophets Newell introduces, I was grateful for the review of a few whom I have come to value, including Mary Oliver, Carl Jung, Thomas Merton, and Simone Weil.
I am new to the Celtic tradition and found myself appreciating how Newell wove in elements of Celtic spirituality, using the various stages of the pilgrimage on the Isle of Iona, the birthplace of Christianity for Scotland in the sixth century, to match each of the 8 re-birthing elements.
I am glad i read this book. Now am I up to the challenge of opening to the necessary rebirths in my life and to being a conduit for other rebirths in my world and my Christian tradition?
Newell claims that Jesus' words in John 3:7 "You must be born anew" need to be re-envisioned, that they have been "hijacked by religious fundamentalism to give the impression that we need to become something other than ourselves . . . turning from what is deepest within us". Core to Celtic belief is the emphasis on "original blessing" as the most deepest and defining truth of human nature. To be born anew is to awake to this core identity and give birth to "a radical reemergence of the Divine from deep within us. We do not have to create it. We cannot create it. But we can let it spring forth and be reborn in our lives. We can be part of midwifing new holy births in the world".
Newell introduces us to 8 modern prophets that point the way to this re-birthing - in the life of the individual and in our Christian religious tradition. Of note is that not all of these prophets are distinctly Christian in their worldview and experience. Although not all would claim to "believe in" Jesus in the sense that fundamental Christian tradition would require of them to be considered "Christian", they all "believe with" Jesus. This is a distinction that Jewish philosopher Martin Buber makes and claims for his own experience, and that has given me some pause for reflection.
And yet who better to lead us in the rebirth of non-violence than Hindu activist Mahatma Gandhi, who claimed that if Christians had actually done what Jesus taught us to do— namely, love our enemy— the world would long ago have been transformed. Newell is convinced that "radically reclaiming the nonviolence of Jesus’s teachings as an essential feature of rebirthing" and that a teacher of another spiritual tradition may be the best next to Jesus to show us the way.
Much of what Newell offers in his book aligns with the path of renewal of my faith during my decade long exposure to the Christian contemplative tradition. Among the 8 prophets Newell introduces, I was grateful for the review of a few whom I have come to value, including Mary Oliver, Carl Jung, Thomas Merton, and Simone Weil.
I am new to the Celtic tradition and found myself appreciating how Newell wove in elements of Celtic spirituality, using the various stages of the pilgrimage on the Isle of Iona, the birthplace of Christianity for Scotland in the sixth century, to match each of the 8 re-birthing elements.
I am glad i read this book. Now am I up to the challenge of opening to the necessary rebirths in my life and to being a conduit for other rebirths in my world and my Christian tradition?
December 9, 2014
I bought this book and began reading it because it was selected for a book discussion at my church. I wound up missing the discussions because of work and family commitments, and I regret that. There is so much here that challenges traditional beliefs and practices. At 124 pages, it's one of the shortest books I've read this year, but Newell presents so much that is new - or was to me - that it's taken more time for me to read it than much longer books have done.
October 4, 2021
Though I don’t agree with everything in this book it has much to offer. If we worship God as Creator why do we not care for Creation? If we believe “Blessed are the Peacemakers” why do we turn to violence? We have moved through this world as conquerors and not Pilgrims. To paraphrase Gandhi, “ Why don’t Christians do what Jesus taught?” It’s time to try a new way. Maybe if we become more focused on experiencing the Sacred, than defining what we believe about the Sacred.
December 12, 2020
Theologically I have loved Celtic Christianity for a long time. My biggest complaint (about Newell among others in fact) was the single minded focus on a spiritual teaching that never seemed to quite make it into today's social realities. This book finally begins the process of bridging that gap and for that reason it is something special!
February 20, 2023
Sang to my soul. Brought me to tears. The way the Celts have opened my heart and brought me to tears over and over again. It has been like rediscovering wonder and beauty and possibility - things that I so often think are lost. It has reintegrated things that my body has held at a distance, offered hope, and allowed me to risk the thought of reingaging the gift of imagination. I'm very thankful for my mornings spent in these pages, and my moments of softening.
February 2, 2018
In the introduction to this short book (124 pages) Newell tells of a dream that Carl Jung had.. It was of a giant turd crashing into a cathedral and destroying it. Newell finds this dream relevant to the present time in which he thinks western Christianity is on the verge of collapsing, as evidenced by the lack of membership and commitment shown in most mainstream churches.
His response to this crisis is to redefine "God" as revealed in the Christian resurrection story. Christ is not found where his body is, but in a new form. Something new emerges from the symbolic death of Christ, and for Newell this is the "way of the universe, made of God . . . this is the way of our souls, our lives, our communities - all made of God."
This rebirth of an awareness of the spirituality of all things is worked out in eight chapters, each about "reconnecting" with what is most important in life. These are not about beliefs, rather of practices. Each chapter is about a specific "reconnection," beginning with a appeal to seek commonality with the EARTH, all things in the natural world.
The chapters that follow "reconnect' with COMPASSION, the LIGHT, the JOURNEY, SPIRITUAL PRACTICE, NONVIOLENCE, the UNCONSCIOUS, and LOVE. What they all share is a movement away from the ego, where we think of ourselves as separate individuals, and toward what Jung called the "One." God, then, is reborn in all of these ways, and underlying all of them is the concept of love, respect, compassion for all things.
The book sees Christianity as highly metaphorical ,one of the most powerful metaphors being that of "light," discussed in the second chapter. Light, or "being", existed long before us, and will continue to flow long after us, "infinitely unfolding into forms that we know nothing of yet." God, the light that flows through all things, is evidenced by its prominence in all the great religions of the world. As we let go, not "of" but "to" the light, we transcend our egos. Francis Assisi in his "Canticle of the Sun" says that when we die, "Sister Death' ultimately frees each of us from our egos into the infinity of light.
Much of the book is grounded in Celtic Christian practices that were centered on the island of Iona, off the western Scottish coast where people still gather in pilgrimages, and where Newell has spent a good amount of time. He thinks those early Celtic Christians were closer to truth, to God, to a genuine spiritual awareness than is usually found today. He concludes that Christianity is either dying or sleeping, and if the latter, Christians need to awaken.
His response to this crisis is to redefine "God" as revealed in the Christian resurrection story. Christ is not found where his body is, but in a new form. Something new emerges from the symbolic death of Christ, and for Newell this is the "way of the universe, made of God . . . this is the way of our souls, our lives, our communities - all made of God."
This rebirth of an awareness of the spirituality of all things is worked out in eight chapters, each about "reconnecting" with what is most important in life. These are not about beliefs, rather of practices. Each chapter is about a specific "reconnection," beginning with a appeal to seek commonality with the EARTH, all things in the natural world.
The chapters that follow "reconnect' with COMPASSION, the LIGHT, the JOURNEY, SPIRITUAL PRACTICE, NONVIOLENCE, the UNCONSCIOUS, and LOVE. What they all share is a movement away from the ego, where we think of ourselves as separate individuals, and toward what Jung called the "One." God, then, is reborn in all of these ways, and underlying all of them is the concept of love, respect, compassion for all things.
The book sees Christianity as highly metaphorical ,one of the most powerful metaphors being that of "light," discussed in the second chapter. Light, or "being", existed long before us, and will continue to flow long after us, "infinitely unfolding into forms that we know nothing of yet." God, the light that flows through all things, is evidenced by its prominence in all the great religions of the world. As we let go, not "of" but "to" the light, we transcend our egos. Francis Assisi in his "Canticle of the Sun" says that when we die, "Sister Death' ultimately frees each of us from our egos into the infinity of light.
Much of the book is grounded in Celtic Christian practices that were centered on the island of Iona, off the western Scottish coast where people still gather in pilgrimages, and where Newell has spent a good amount of time. He thinks those early Celtic Christians were closer to truth, to God, to a genuine spiritual awareness than is usually found today. He concludes that Christianity is either dying or sleeping, and if the latter, Christians need to awaken.
November 28, 2018
The author’s subhead and understandings of why and how we need to face “Christianity’s Struggle for New Beginnings” is expressed on Page 4 with “The time has come for us to make the connection again between spirituality and the earth.”
In preparation for my review, as I skimmed this book’s pages for my underlines, notes, and exclamation marks, I found my page 10 full of exclamation marks beginning with (from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin) the “primacy of humility”. I feel that one of our major stumbling blocks in today’s culture (our country’s and our Christian religion’s) is our arrogance. The complete sentence here is: “ The primacy of humility would be seen as the foremost mark of our Christhood and Christianity’s primary blessing to the world -- living in relationship to the sacred humus of the earth.” I continue with two more exclamation marks in the next paragraph of page 10 where Newell quotes John the Beloved, “you cannot hate your brother and sister and love God”. (1 John 4:20; adapted).Newell goes on to say, “Teilhard’s version of this would have been to say that we cannot hate the earth, we cannot neglect or abuse the earth, and claim to love God.” AND, still on page 10 with Thomas Berry: I loved Berry’s description of himself as a “geologian”. Newell continues with Thomas Berry telling of his drawing attention to the “extinction spasm” we are experiencing today: “over three hundred species a week are becoming extinct” because of how we are choosing to live.” I couldn’t make my exclamation mark big enough, bold enough, or red enough here.
Then I got to the “imaginary story” on page 24. I even shared this on Facebook; truly a gut punch!
Oh no, more exclamation marks on page 79-80, “Love-Force Not Brute-Force” (Ghandi). Newell states that Gandhi called Jesus the great “Asian prophet, a reminder to the West that our central figure of religious belief was not a Westerner at all.” As Newell says, “Gandhi challenged us to turn our creed back into deed, our belief in Jesus into following the practice of Jesus.”
This review contains only my exclamation marked areas. I have many, many more underlines throughout. John Philip Newell has peaked my interest in Celtic spirituality.
In preparation for my review, as I skimmed this book’s pages for my underlines, notes, and exclamation marks, I found my page 10 full of exclamation marks beginning with (from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin) the “primacy of humility”. I feel that one of our major stumbling blocks in today’s culture (our country’s and our Christian religion’s) is our arrogance. The complete sentence here is: “ The primacy of humility would be seen as the foremost mark of our Christhood and Christianity’s primary blessing to the world -- living in relationship to the sacred humus of the earth.” I continue with two more exclamation marks in the next paragraph of page 10 where Newell quotes John the Beloved, “you cannot hate your brother and sister and love God”. (1 John 4:20; adapted).Newell goes on to say, “Teilhard’s version of this would have been to say that we cannot hate the earth, we cannot neglect or abuse the earth, and claim to love God.” AND, still on page 10 with Thomas Berry: I loved Berry’s description of himself as a “geologian”. Newell continues with Thomas Berry telling of his drawing attention to the “extinction spasm” we are experiencing today: “over three hundred species a week are becoming extinct” because of how we are choosing to live.” I couldn’t make my exclamation mark big enough, bold enough, or red enough here.
Then I got to the “imaginary story” on page 24. I even shared this on Facebook; truly a gut punch!
Oh no, more exclamation marks on page 79-80, “Love-Force Not Brute-Force” (Ghandi). Newell states that Gandhi called Jesus the great “Asian prophet, a reminder to the West that our central figure of religious belief was not a Westerner at all.” As Newell says, “Gandhi challenged us to turn our creed back into deed, our belief in Jesus into following the practice of Jesus.”
This review contains only my exclamation marked areas. I have many, many more underlines throughout. John Philip Newell has peaked my interest in Celtic spirituality.
March 7, 2019
I belong to a Congregational/Unitarian church on Cape Cod in MA. The demographic of the community and the congregation is older people, but people who are open to learning new ways, sharing their stories, and establishing new connections and friendships. After many years of being non-churchgoers, my husband and I joined this church because it was so welcoming and it added a new center to our life since we have no family living nearby. We were particularly drawn to the church because of the pastor's warm and loving way of relating to all.
Unfortunately, about a year after we joined the church, the minister left, which has created confusion and stress within many of those who attend. We have an interim paster and are a long way from selecting the next permanent pastor. I was asked to be part of a group called "Exploring Spirituality," which has been meeting once a week for two months, with Newell's book as its jumping off point for discussion. I have found both the book and the discussion group to be most worthwhile and my outlook toward the changes in the church is more positive as a result. Before each week's meeting, we read one chapter and then discussed our reactions to its contents but also brought to the discussion personal reflections and reactions.
This was my first experience of being in such a group and also reading a book of the "spiritual" genre, with the exceptional of The Alchemist. I found it very interesting and worthwhile to listen to the themes and lessons that others in the group were taking away and also the life experiences that they were bringing to their reading. Both the group, which will be continuing, and the book have made me realize that there is whole world of reading and thinking that are awaiting my discovery.
Unfortunately, about a year after we joined the church, the minister left, which has created confusion and stress within many of those who attend. We have an interim paster and are a long way from selecting the next permanent pastor. I was asked to be part of a group called "Exploring Spirituality," which has been meeting once a week for two months, with Newell's book as its jumping off point for discussion. I have found both the book and the discussion group to be most worthwhile and my outlook toward the changes in the church is more positive as a result. Before each week's meeting, we read one chapter and then discussed our reactions to its contents but also brought to the discussion personal reflections and reactions.
This was my first experience of being in such a group and also reading a book of the "spiritual" genre, with the exceptional of The Alchemist. I found it very interesting and worthwhile to listen to the themes and lessons that others in the group were taking away and also the life experiences that they were bringing to their reading. Both the group, which will be continuing, and the book have made me realize that there is whole world of reading and thinking that are awaiting my discovery.
January 4, 2019
Newell contends that Christianity needs to be born anew. No argument there. Each chapter focuses on different aspects of renewal and features a different key thinker, often from a contemplative tradition. Interesting folk, and some good stories, but I found this book easy to put down, hard to pick back up again. Along the way, Newell does offer a helpful tour of the Iona community in Scotland. And a couple of groaners as well, such as when he refers to himself as "an internationally renowned teacher of spirituality." That was part of a self-deprecating story, but it still didn't come off sounding very humble.
August 16, 2023
I grew up in the Evangelical Christian Church. Just about everyone in my extended family is Christian. Due to learning more about science and other religions in college, combined with my immense suffering from Serious Mental Illness, the “God” I grew up with just didn’t make sense to me anymore. For a long time, I didn’t believe I could be a Christian. “The Rebirthing of God” presents a very different spirituality than what I grew up with. Newell describes a beautiful expression of Christian spirituality and faith. His work is one of many that reminds me that I can indeed still be Christian. It inspires me into a new depth in my spiritual journey. I hope it does for you too!
July 1, 2018
A deep and profound meditation on the pilgrim's path on the island of Iona off the coast of Scotland, this book examines the pillars of Celtic spirituality, as the author sees them. It covers such topics as non-violence, the unconscious, and love, and draws on the example of inspirational people.
Not a book to be read in a rush, but easy enough in style to relax with. I expect to look up more books by this author as his writing opens the mind and challenges one to think differently about commonly-held religious beliefs.
Not a book to be read in a rush, but easy enough in style to relax with. I expect to look up more books by this author as his writing opens the mind and challenges one to think differently about commonly-held religious beliefs.
March 30, 2020
During this stressful Coronavirus time when we are all operating on a combination of fear and hope this book was a wonderful way to come back to what is all-important in living - living in God. In 8 chapters the author takes readers through the eyes of saints and mystics to find a way back to the spirituality of Celtic thought, by leading a pilgrimage on the isle of Iona to rebirth God through reconnecting with the earth, compassion, Light, Journey, spiritual practice, nonviolence, the unconscious and Love.
February 22, 2023
Reading this book frequently gave me an overwhelming feeling of peace, so refreshing as we live in times of political upheaval and unrest. I agree with Newell that many today are seeking a fresh or replacement spirituality. The concept of finding common ground in all religions rather than each endeavoring to convert all others to their belief makes a great deal of sense. Finally, tying that all in to our relationship and respect for the earth is a way forward in which we all benefit. Iona sounds like a wonderful spot.
January 26, 2024
I was introduced to John Philip Newell about fifteen years ago when I joined a reading group of local pastors. Since then I have read many of his books, but I feel this was the best so far.
Summarizing the thoughts of many other writers and his experiences, many of which were from his years at Iona Abbey, he presents his belief of what the world needs and suggests how we might work toward providing the love and justice that might bring that into being.
Summarizing the thoughts of many other writers and his experiences, many of which were from his years at Iona Abbey, he presents his belief of what the world needs and suggests how we might work toward providing the love and justice that might bring that into being.
January 20, 2018
Out of the Newell books I have read, this one is the best by far. It's concise but detailed, and has far better structure. Newell's explanation of the necessity of unity in today's Christianity is very well done. There's still a few finer points that need clearing up, but Newell's book is overall a good read- haha- and definitely something I would recommend to other Christians.
January 9, 2024
One of the best books for people who want to follow Jesus and have a keen sense of God in the world but no longer want the package of western Christianity. Newell brings ancient Celtic Christianity to life, opening a door to a new way of understanding and participating in the shimmering presence of God all around us.
October 18, 2025
A journey through Iona and a journey to revitalized spirituality
J. Philip Newell brings the power of Celtic Christianity to the 21st-century. I am especially impressed how he dialogues across other faith traditions. He also brings to the fore the insights of Thomas Merton and Bede Griffiths from his own Christian tradition. Everything I have read of Newell is inspiring.
J. Philip Newell brings the power of Celtic Christianity to the 21st-century. I am especially impressed how he dialogues across other faith traditions. He also brings to the fore the insights of Thomas Merton and Bede Griffiths from his own Christian tradition. Everything I have read of Newell is inspiring.
August 27, 2017
This is the best book about spirituality from a Christian perspective. It gently, but forthrightly tells us how Christianity moved off course what needs to be done to change it. A must read for spiritual beings.
January 13, 2020
Absolutely essential reading for anyone wanting a deeper look into Celtic Christianity or, at the very least, a refreshing of their own particular Christian tradition. I would recommend it as a comfort to some and a challenge to others.
August 16, 2020
In this year of 2020, I think this is the most poignant book of the many great books I have read. This author is one of my favorites, but this book so hits the world situation of date. I highly recommend this book, it is very hopeful.
May 6, 2021
So many important things to ponder. "We are made of God and this made of love." "We need to open to the treasure of wisdom in traditions other than our own." Reconnect with the Earth, compassion, Light, journey, spiritual practice, nonviolence,the unconscious, and love.
August 12, 2025
I liked this the least out of the Newell books I have read so far, but it was still great. Full of fascinating concepts, interesting stories and some helpful calls to action and change. I am greatly looking forward to hearing him speak at Greenbelt next week!
December 21, 2017
This was excellent. I read it twice this year. It's easy to believe that we are living in the time of the giant turd falling, and this book gives us hope.
March 19, 2018
Pretty spectacular in breadth. Probably bears rereading.
December 11, 2018
Exceeded my (very high) expectations.
October 9, 2018
Contemplative ...
October 27, 2018
The Rebirthing of God provides a way forward for those who are disappointed with mainstream Evangelicalism today. There’s another way - a more beautiful and simple way.
Read
November 6, 2020There are interesting tidbits in this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews