Beyond Original Sin: Recovering Humanity's Creative Urge

by Diarmuid O'Murchu

The wisdom of Paleontology – the study of human origins – is creating a revolution that is likely to shake many inherited Christian beliefs, including the doctrine of Original Sin. The long-held belief of a fundamental flaw finds little support in our ancient human story. Instead we consistently encounter a species with an enormous capacity for exploration, innovation, and creativity. This book does not set out to get rid of the notion of Original Sin, or a fundamental flaw. Instead, it makes a compelling case for a different starting point; our fundamental goodness rather than our flawed sinful condition is where we should start. Just as the Book Genesis declares all to be good in the eyes of God, why not begin with our human foundational creative urge as the basis for faith and spirituality?

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 23, 2018

About the author

Diarmuid O'Murchu, a member of the Sacred Heart Missionary Order, and a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin Ireland, is a social psychologist most of whose working life has been in social ministry, predominantly in London, UK. In that capacity he has worked as a couple's counsellor, in bereavement work, AIDS-HIV counselling, and laterally with homeless people and refugees. As a workshop leader and group facilitator he has worked in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, The Philippines, Thailand,
India, Peru and in several African countries, facilitating programmes on Adult Faith Development.

His best known books include Quantum Theology (1996 - revised in 2004), Reclaiming Spirituality (1998), Evolutionary Faith (2002), Catching Up with Jesus (2005), The Transformation of Desire (2007), Ancestral Grace (2008), Jesus in the Power of Poetry (2009).

Reviews

[John Laliberte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing insights. O'Murchu lifts the covers off so many hidden treasures while at the same time puts the spot light on "errors" (if that is the right word, maybe "false paths" is better?) that religion has left us with. Much of these "errors" resulting from male dominance / control in the Catholic Church today and the reliance of rules and dogma the maintain order and obedience that has been fading away. While the book might be disruptive and challenging to many, it also expresses freedom and hope that is so vital today as we experience God's creativity on our walk of faith.

Beyond Original Sin has given me hope and encouragement ... and appreciation as he ended his book with the simple statement of faith: "All is gift..." Sounds a little bit like Julian of Norwich.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing. Gives one hope of a future spirituality that could cross religious boundaries. I believe our individual religious credos must impel us outward to be better human beings on THIS planet. If we would “drop our guard” a bit re: a future home NOT on this Earth, we might have some chance of achieving that.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking.