Evolutionary Faith: Rediscovering God in Our Great Story

by Diarmuid O'Murchu

In this sequel to the bestselling "Quantum Theology, " O'Murchu explores the meaning of evolution and sheds light on the profound spiritual directions suggested by science.

Genres: Science

231 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

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

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book presents interesting ideas, incorporating concepts from quantum physics, evolutionary biology, history and thoughts from major religions, especially Christianity and Buddhism. As someone who was raised in the Catholic Church, I was quite surprised with O'Murchu's ideas, since he is a Catholic priest--he rejects central teachings of the Catholic Church. I performed a Google search and learned that the Catholic Church disavows O'Murchu's ideas, as presented in this book.

I believe that O'Murchu correctly identifies major problems that humanity faces at this point in time: war, the destruction of our environment, the disparity in wealth distribution, the power of transnational corporations, etc. At a cultural level, O"Murchu speaks against patriarchy and the will to power and control that characterize our "civilization."

On the downside, I found the book somewhat repetitive and some of the concepts fuzzy and not adequately supported analytically or by facts or citations.

I enjoyed the book and found it fresh and interesting. I look forward to reading other works by O'Murchu. I am particularly interested in how he reconciles his beliefs with being a priest in the Catholic church, one of the most patriarchal institutions in the history of mankind.

[Gerry Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

O'Murchu's 'Evolutionary Faith' is not an easy read in that it requires a fully attentive mind to assimilate the full extent and depth of its message. And that message, conveyed through the medium of unfolding story, is that we belong and can only authentically live out our lives, in the context of our planetary and cosmic home. Unless or until we make a spiritual homecoming to this mystical 'place' of belonging at the heart of creation, and learn to listen, love and grow in congruence with its meaning for our lives (God's primary and ultimate revelation), we will forever flounder in our misguided will to power, arrogance, control and domination. From his seminal work, "Quantum Theology" to his most recent, "Christianity's Dangerous Memory", O'Murchu's writing has the quality of a profound quest . . and what this cutting-edge thinker has to say, he says exquisitely, compellingly and prophetically. Highly recommended for the discerning reader who has an interest in evolutionary theology's interface with science.

[Deb Weina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book about the development of the universe.

[Rick Walker]

I will write a review and post it on my blog also. A seminal book as humanity continues to struggle to evolve into the Noosphere of Teilhard de Chardin and the Universe Story of Thomas Berry and Brian Swimme, becoming one with creation. Will it happen? We have a 50/50 chance if we dream big and at least agree to disagree with one another peacefully for the sake of all the other creatures on the Earth, and stop waste in all its nefarious aspects. O'Murch points the way back to the future, though a bit wordy. Lots of good to say about Buddhism, and not so much about disengaged Western churches, that don't address the true nature of Creation and the Spirit, including the scientific evidence for it. Good bibliography. I take inspiration fro O'Murchu for my fiction going forward...