The Sacred Universe: Earth, Spirituality, and Religion in the Twenty-First Century

Thomas Berry's timely work came into my possession as the oil disaster spread its killing stain throughout the entire Gulf of Mexico. Commentators seem concerned as to how we shall clean up the shores. The real question is "How far can the pollution travel if the well is unable to be stopped?" Is it possible that the pollution could spread to the entire earth? Would that not be the first act of the end of life on earth as we know it? If this can occur when ONE well fails, what would happen if they were all made to fail? "The Sacred Universe" presents the mystery and miracle of Cosmic evolution, starting from a point of no dimensions, a creation "ex nihilo", through revelation through scriptures of all religions, and the personal experience of meditation wherein the wonders are received, used and praised. The icon which focuses our attention on this reality, is the photo of the earth and moon taken by the Galileo Probe. The blue/white marble of the earth contrasts to the barren brown of the moon as the only place in the Cosmos on which we know it to be the absolute perfect balance of conditions to allow the evolution of intelligent life to appreciate the wonder of it all and to help prevent the destruction of this paradise through technological possibility. Try to imagine that marble as all black. The Sacred Universe is a cosmic "Silent Spring", that calls upon spiritualities and religions to embrace the whole cosmic evolution as the Divine Word Itself.

Thomas Berry is a leader before his epoch in a recognition of the first revelation of God, the Creation. He allows the reader to break away from historical Christian frameworks and move to being open and inclusive about the world, the Galaxy and the Universe.This work is perfect for a thinking seeker who is on a journey with the intention to integrate faith with contemporary knowledge. It offers support to those who are often ridiculed for their courage to break away from religious and especially Christian creational understanding and integrate scientific knowledge into their Spiritual practice.It is a good book of essays by a spiritual thinker, who was way ahead of his time and of his own spiritual community.

Ordained or not, no purveyor of religion today should teach without having had an extensive course using this book as one of its texts. It is too important to be relegated to those relatively few who are self-starting, spiritual seekers or environmentalists. This book deserves being used as a companion to the sacred scriptures of each and every religion. Thomas Berry has gotten to the heart of the reform of consciousness without which nothing else can adequately address our ecological crisis. His passing this year at the age of 90 is a sore loss, but this book along with other of his writings will continue to enlighten and bless us.

best book i've ever read and i'm a 70 year old voracious reader. will leave the book for my 2 grandkids to read when they can/will understand the book's message. discusses global type problems beyond the purview of religion and scripture AND what mankind must do to alter our toxic trajectory. hints at possible mass extinction unless we address the error of our consumptive ways which could leave the earth uninhabitable and closes with an optimistic worldview.as i read, the book i had hoped someone would write, unfolded. my highest recommendation!

Do you wonder about what the future holds for the earth and humans? This book is based on sound science and goes beyond science to give meaning to evolution, the connectedness of all that is and the place of the human on the earth. From where does the consciousness of humans come? where is evolving consciousness leading us? Explore what the extraordinarly perceptive mind of Thomas Berry presents in relation to these questions. Another work by this author is [[ASIN:0609804995 The Great Work: Our Way into the Future

Thomas Berry is the dean of global reasonableness in all fields of endeavor, sensitive to and a proponent of the re-sacral-ization of reality on all levels and fronts. He speaks to the most reasonable and intelligent readers as a voice of sanity and responsibility in a world looking for new leadership and guidance. Expertly written by an excellent and thoroughly knowledgeable thinker of the first maginitude.

This is a series of essays written by Thomas Berry written last century. There is a lot of repetition in the essays and between the essays (the latter comment perhaps not Berry's doing). Yes, he does make serious points about the universe and the ways nations, particularly North America, is missing the point of the need to act for the good of the planet. For all that this reader wanted him to get on with it and be specific bout ways to act rather leave everything for others to suggest ways forward.Berry has been an influential figure in eco-spirituality; yet there is a sense that he never quite gets to the point and leaves too much up in the air.

These are beautiful reflections on how beautiful and precious the planet Earth is. It explains how the real purpose of religion is to care for creation rather than being redeemed out of it. It also suggests that a sacred dimension is revealed much more clearly in nature than in Biblical texts.

This is a great collection of essays by Thomas Berry, the great cultural historian, mystic and evolutionist. He passed away last year -- a Christian monk with a profound understanding of Shamanism and Asian religions as well as science, cosmology and evolution. Best of all, his lucidity was fully matched by exquisite English expression. The essays here (1972 - 2001) are organized in 4 parts, covering the full scope of his amazing contribution to understanding the human place in the universe and Earth history-- and the momentous nature of our present ecological crisis. A book that shares a unique path at a troubled time: spiritual truth combined with ecological understanding. Indispensable!

Berry is someone who studied our environment with the intention we may learn how to treat it with respect. It is a writing we all need to read and take into consideration if we hope to live here for the next seven generations at least. The Earth is our Mother, may we learn how to think of her and treat her accordingly in her older age. Our earth is sacred! Let us learn from Berry and make individual changes as we are able. In respect I offer this very brief review