The Galapagos Islands: A Spiritual Journey

by Brian D. McLaren

Bestselling author Brian D. McLaren followed his love of nature (specifically, tortoises) all the way to the Galapagos Islands. There, he paid close attention to the flora and fauna around him but also to what was happening within him, how the natural world awakened his soul in a way that organized religion could not. McLaren's descriptions of birds and reptiles, fish and flowers sing; he walks in the footsteps of Charles Darwin and grieves that Darwin has been demonized by his fellow Christians; and he reflects on how his own faith has evolved in the years since he left the pastorate.

McLaren writes in the spirit of Aldo Leopold and Wendell Berry, weaving together the spiritual and the material. Even though most readers will never visit the Galapagos Islands, they can travel with McLaren and experience the beauty and fragility of this extraordinary place.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Theology, Christian, Travel, Memoir, Nature

282 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2019

About the author

Brian D. McLaren is an internationally known speaker and the author of over ten highly acclaimed books on contemporary Christianity, including A New Kind of Christian, A Generous Orthodoxy, and The Secret Message of Jesus.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

McLaren was commissioned to launch a series that was part travel guide, part spiritual memoir and part theological reflection. Specifically, he was asked to write about the Galápagos Islands because he’d been before and they were important to him. He joins a six-day eco-cruise that tours around the island chain off Ecuador, with little to do except observe the birds, tortoises and iguanas, and swim with fish and sea turtles. For him this is a peaceful, even sacred place that reminds him of the beauty that still exists in the world despite so much human desecration. Although he avoids using his phone except to quickly check in with his wife, modernity encroaches unhelpfully through a potential disaster with his laptop.

I was surprised to see that McLaren leaves the Galápagos at the midpoint – whatever could fill the rest of the book, I wondered? He starts by reassessing Darwin, so often painted as a villain by Evangelical Christianity but actually a model of close, loving attention to nature. He also recalls how some of his most intense spiritual experiences have arisen from time in nature. McLaren’s books have been pivotal to my spiritual journey as we’ve both gradually become more liberal and environmentalist. His definition of God might horrify traditionalists, but holds appeal for me: “a centering singularity whose gravity holds me in insistent orbit, pulling me deeper into mystery, pondering who I am and what my life means.” This is an unusual but gently entrancing book full of photos and quotes from other thinkers including John Muir, Pope Francis and Richard Rohr. It’s an ideal introduction to ecotheology.

Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.

[Jamie Seed · Rating 5 out of 5]

McLaren is such a brilliant writer and in this book he seems at his best and most uninhibited. Perhaps it is because this book's "spiritual" theme and purpose is a bit broader and less limited than most of his Christian-based treatises.

The entire book is excellent reading, but I wrote this review almost exclusively to praise him for this passage, which resonated deeply with me:

"“Most theology in recent centuries, especially white Christian theology, has been the work of avid indoorsmen, scholars who typically work in square boxes called offices or classrooms or sanctuaries, surrounded by square books and, more recently, square screens, under square roofs in square buildings surrounded by other square buildings, laid out in square city blocks that stretch as far as the eye can see. If practitioners of this civilized indoor theology look out at the world, it is through square windows or in brief moments between the time they exit one square door and enter another. But those outdoor times are generally brief, so these days, this square theology exists almost exclusively in heated and air-conditioned spaces that maintain a pleasant and consistent seventy-two degrees, whatever the season or latitude.”

[Melanie Glass · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆4.5
A mix of travel stories and spiritual reflections gained through the author's trip to the Galapagos islands. I really enjoyed how, through nature, his views of God and faith were both questioned and answered. In particular, the way he allowed nature to disrupt our thoughts on theology of recent generations that has been primarily dictated by white, male, heterosexual scholars stuck indoors (the full quote on p13 of the preface alone is worth the price of the book!).
I will be re-reading the book and spending time on the study questions provided so my thinking and understanding can also be disrupted.

[Phil VanOsdol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half was not my favorite but the second half deserves 5 stars for sure

[Bob Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the last several weeks I have been utilizing “The Galápagos Island: A Spiritual Journey” as a meditation tool. Often I would read a chapter in the morning then spend a couple days reflecting on the depth of the journey on which Brian takes the reader. Along the way, I found myself yearning for more and began reading supplemental material from “The Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin to “Everything All At Once” by Bill Nye. I realized that somewhere along the way my love for science had taken a back seat, mostly due to my religious upbringing. Yet Brian’s words and adventures nurtured me, as he stated, “To ponder and celebrate the meaning of life. To refresh and renew yourself.” As I came to the close of the book, I realized I was savoring each word, hoping it, like a needed vacation, would not come to an end. I wish there were more books like this - hopeful, beautiful, thought-provoking, and life-changing. I have found Brian’s writing often speaking to my condition, but this book spoke deeply to my soul in a new and personal way. Thank you, Brian for continuing to share your journey while helping us on our own.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed this book about the Galapagos without reading the blurb on the back. As I started into it I quickly learn the writer was a Christian leader and there was a lot of talk of religion -- not a great topic for me. But I kept reading as he was interesting and funny. He gave a very good description of the islands, marine and land creatures as well as birds. He also talked of the evolution of the islands and the human affect and of Darwin and his impact. His conclusion at the end of his trip was surprising.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began reading it to see what my son’s college Jan-mester in Galápagos would be like…and, I was captivated by excellent, fun curious descriptions. As the book continued I was thinking more about life. The author is sharing his challenges with religion, belief, life, etc. I loved the comparisons. It was a wonderful book…inspiring, thought provoking and full of life. Definitely recommended reading whether or not you plan on visiting the islands.

[Lydia Saul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant book full of fantastic descriptions of nature, but also thought provoking theology. The revelations about Darwin were really interesting as well as unpacking some firmly held myths that perhaps do him a disservice. I found the quotes great, but also s bit distracting at times to the overall reading of the book, that was why I only gave it 4 stars. Some great content I thoroughly recommend.

[Irmgarde Brown]

What Galapagos Can Teach Us.

Excellent. Travelogue with spiritual insights and cultural commentary. McLaren has really evolved and I so appreciate what he brings to the table with this book. Particularly significant is the call for a blending of socialism and capitalism in the name of caring for one another and the earth in which we inhabit. Recommended.

[Daniel Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian McLaren guides one through his trip to the Galápagos Islands while drawing comparisons between his experiences on (and off) the islands to his spiritual journey. It’s a story of adaptation, growth, and beauty. Anyone who loves nature and loves God should appreciate this book.

[peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiritual pilgrimage meets the natural world. Challenging and provocative.

[Donovan Mattole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Loved it!

[Sue Mika · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved learning all about the Galapagos and the wildlife.

[Cami Pease · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book that helps you remember to love the world well. Great prep for a Galapagos trip!

[Lora Hein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed much about this book. The encounters with the life of the islands was fascinating, in part because I have been there and had similar encounters. I don't know/can't say, how engaging it would be for someone who had not been there. The questioning and philosophizing in the second half was drawn from the experiences in the first and that also intrigued me. I got a little put-off by the focus on the puffer fish. I can understand the author having a particularly illuminating connection with one specific species, having had a few "messages" similar, albeit different. I just. didn't connect with the puffer fish personally. I also could have done without the details about the computer problems. Maybe because my own experience in the Islands was sans computer as was Darwin's and the nature of the islands is such that it offers an opportunity to unplug from all the technological ravages of the modern world and connect at a visceral level with a primordial version of the world. But that is me and McLaren's experience was his, one that was as worthy of a read as I hope mine will be.

[-kevin- · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite excellent and inspiring to engage nature.

[Martyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian McLaren is not really a travel writer, so the first third of this account of his trip to the Galapagos Islands is a bit of a trudge. But, he is an excellent writer on faith and ideas, plenty of which make up the remainder of the book.

[Kim Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging memoir of travel and ecotheology. The first half was a little long (if descriptions of sea life aren't your thing,) but the second half reflections more than make up for it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Jack Fleming · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was good, but perhaps not revolutionary in the way Barbara Brown Tailor's review led me to hope. In short (and the book is both short and accessible), let yourself find God in the world...