Darwin, Divinity, and the Dance of the Cosmos: An Ecological Christianity
Since being released last April (2007), this book has enjoyed wide appeal. It is my response to the ecological crisis we are facing. I am concerned that the church place the health of the planet at the forefront of our mission concerns. In the book I outline a new theology for a new ecological age, and look at the Judeo-Christian tradition through a “green” lens.
Woodlake Books is preparing a Study Guide to be released in January, 2009. Tim Scorer, who also wrote the study guides for Marcus Borg’s bestseller Experiencing the Bible Again for the First Time, and the Heart of the Christian Faith, is writing the study guide.
I was delighted to be interviewed by Mary Hines on Tapestry, CBC in July, 2007 on the theme of the book.
Since the book’s release I have had many opportunities to speak and lead workshops. For a complete listing of my engagements for 2008 go to my Speaking Engagements page.
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Here’s what John Vaillant, (Governor-General Award Winner for The Golden Spruce), Aiden Enns (editor and publisher of the award-winning Geez magazine), Fred Plumer, (Director of The Centre for Progressive Christianity in the U.S.) and Jim Taylor, former senior editor and publisher of Woodlake Books) are saying about Darwin, Divinity and the Dance of the Cosmos.
“Bruce Sanguin has the ability to perceive wonder. He gathers science, poetry, and scripture - all to remind us of our enchanted cosmos. This book comes alive when Sanguin asks us to break from the spell of consumer culture by the practice of faith.”
Aiden Enns, Publisher of Geez Magazine -voted best magazine in Canada, 2007
“Sanguin synthesizes a vast amount of information, ranging from the Apocrypha to cutting-edge physics, and makes it accessible to the layperosn. In a way that is at once open-hearted and intellectually disciplined, he has created an inspired and much needed new approach to the evolving, often acrimonious relationship between science and spirit.
John Vaillant, Governor General’s Award-Winning author of The Golden Spruce.
In Darwin and Divinity…, Sanguin has provided a new and exciting paradigm for thinking Christians and spiritual seekers alike. He has provided a basis for a deep theological shift, a fresh cosmology and a new way of perceiving our reality based on excellent scholarship, both scientific and biblical. And he has done that in a very readable way that is open to anyone who yearns to learn. It is on top of our recommended reading list.
Fred C. Plumer President, The Center for Progressive Christianity, U.S.A.
“At last, a writer with theological competence has managed to put into clear and straightforward English the concepts I have been grasping for! Bruce Sanguin integrates modern science and theological tradition in a way that gives me hope for the planet’s future”. Jim Taylor, Award-winning editor, and author of Spirituality of Pets.
Comments from participants in a Darwin, Divinity and Dance of the Cosmos study group at Harcourt Memorial United Church, in Guelph, Ontario:
“Bruce’s book in one that merits re-reading a few times. At last, I’ve come across material that allows me to put my Christian faith in a cosmic context. Especially in the chapter on Sophia and quantum theory, he suggests avenues of reflections that might finally take us out of Newtonian, materialistic, reductionistic mindset and make room for the Spirit in our lives in ways that finally make sense. - Andre Auger
“We could not finish your book until three weeks ago, (despite starting in September), probably a record as far as the time spent with one book is concerned but mostly it was because we could not let as it opened up so many aspects of our spiritual and religious life. Thanks a million. - Harry
There is so much in the book that spoke to me, but nothing can touch my appreciation for becoming aware of Sophia”. - Judi Morris
“Initially, I was blown away by evocative title and the spectacular tree frog cover and even wondered if the book could live up to its cover. The answer is a resounding “yes - and the some”. Your explanation of how cosmology shapes our institutions and our relationships is spot on and I appreciated the urgent need to redefine our cosmological story to be consistent with science.
The book gave rise to some of the best discussions we have had in our book study group. We generally march through books at a fairly uniform pace, but this was a book we didn’t want to let go of and we lingered over it.” - Marian O’Connor
“ Bruce, I really appreciated Chapter 6. It comes at the end and clarifies the Sophia tradition for me. I did not know that tradition. But the perspective of two paths - the path of foolishness and the path of wisdom is so clear. How could we not love all creation and hold sacred the life around us?!” - Lila
“Your book was an excellent choice for our group and resulted in many stimulating discussion. I thought it did a great deal to bridge the gap between science and religion, and presented a challenging approach to make Christianity relevant in the 21st century.” - Richard Gedye
“Bruce, I cannot improve on the beauty of your writing, so I will note some passages that I carry with me from your book. The following phrases articulate beautifully what my experience affirms and what I am trying to embody. I am excited to drink deeply of this wisdom...I look particularly to how we might pass this emerging theology and the wisdom of Sophia on to our children”. - Mary Jiminez
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