Integral Christianity: The Spirit's Call to Evolve

I have read a lot of "integral spiritual books, most deeply contemplative "practices" that tie in integral theory, which have all been extremely important in my personal development. Integral Christianity helps to frame Christianity in a truly integral lens and is invaluable to make sense of the current state of Christian culture which is still evolving through various stages. Weather you were born into that path (then left the church), still with a church yet wondering if there is a better more inclusive way, or simply on your "own path" and living in a place where Christianity is the primary religion this book will be a great read! My experience is that most of the current thought where I live (in the Southern United States) is deeply centered or at least influenced by Christianity (including the culture wars so prevalent between conservative/liberals). I live and breathe in the "bible belt" where we have just planted the first seed of an "integral community" so this is important to read as we try to talk about integral spirituality without scaring the crap out of 90% of the people around us. The bottom line is that anything outside the die hard mythic literal believers will most likely still scare the crap out of them, however this book will help you with anyone at a modern or post-modern stage dramatically. I wish I had this book years ago as many of my attempts to frame integral in a "spiritual/universalizing" lens have failed miserably, and I lost good friends or left scars in some relationships. If you have been in this situation (most drawn to integral are likely to have experienced the ostracized feelings) this is a step in the direction of reconciliation to help navigate unnecessary conflict and to help create a true "conveyor belt" for the Christian community. And it goes beyond leaving a "conservative/traditional" church to join a "liberal post-modern "church. Here is why... Like most of the integral spiritual books it takes you through the evolution of consciousness at different "STAGE" levels but does so by integrating thought about the strengths/weaknesses at each level specifically within Christian communities. This book lays out a brilliant analysis on how Christians view their religion at different stages or worldviews. It goes beyond Borg's post-modern lens (which was highly important at that stage in my reconciliation process, but still felt a bit polarizing). It establishes how Jesus was integral. It exposes the limitations of the post-modern "cafeteria plan" churches along with the traditional pre-rational mythic levels. It also brings to light the strengths of each stage that get left behind as new stages are entered. It is especially helpful in how to talk with Christians at various stages (or not as development tells us you can only advance one stage at a time), It helps identify those current stages by making clear outlines of the worldview of each stage, it may help you identify a new church home if you feel the need for change, and regardless of your path/stage keep peace with family/friends. It reconciles science and spirituality within the Christian lens where the majority of Christian communities are failing. It ends in universal faith/integrative Christianity and what true Integral Christianity looks like beyond the currently polarized camps. It describes what "integral church" would look like. Hint: It's not some "new agey" extreme relativism of pre-rational thought blended with the higher mystic traditions of all the faiths, yet is inclusive of the entire spectrum. Another BEAUTIFULLY written highly poetic book book for anyone on a contemplative or integral christian path is Deeper Than Words by David Steindl-rast (http://www.amazon.com/Deeper-Than-Words-Living-Apostles/dp/0307589617

This book is for anyone who has ever identified as a Christian of any stripe, or for those who are curious about what Integral spirituality means, and what it might look like in Christian form. For those who are not familiar with Integral theory, Rev. Smith sketches it clearly and accessibly, without watering it down. Among its key concepts are that evolution, of individuals, and of humanity as a whole, follows a progression. Each step has value, each step has strengths, and each step or stage has its flaws or weaknesses. Integral theory is not about judgment; quite the opposite. It is about recognition and understanding of self, society, and world in relationship. Just as it is normal for a baby to grow through various levels at each age of life, before moving on to the next phase, it is normal for one's relationship with God, and thus with church, to change over the course of one's life. Rev. Smith asks the simple question of what to do when you've outgrown your religion. His advice is to seek a different expression of your own religion, a later (or earlier) stage, a higher or lower level, to suit your own priorities and convictions involving life and faith. Rev Smith describes the Integral viewpoint as truly feeling more understanding, respect, and compassion for others, including, and this is the important part, those with whom one disagrees. One of the facets of Integral Christianity that is critical for me, is the re-emergence of the mystical. I returned to Christianity via mysticism. Without this aspect that Integral Christianity includes and celebrates, there would be no place for me. Although, Rev. Smith makes the distinction that, true to the Integral worldview, there is always growth, even beyond Integral, and that is where he anticipates even greater embrace of the mystical aspect of Christianity. Rev. Smith sums up what makes Integral Christianity the Christianity that matters for me at present, by referring to it as "the most inclusive version of following Jesus yet seen" (p. 326). Notice, true to Integral form, his last word is, yet.

Basierend auf dem Entwicklungsmodell von Ken Wilber beschreibt der erfahrene und gereifte Kirchenmann und Autor seinen eigenen inneren und äusseren Weg zu einer hoch entwickelten persönlichen und kirchlich-gemeinschaftlich gelebten Form modernen Christentums (wohl eher amerikanischer Spielart). Das typisierte Entwicklungsmodell der verschiedenen Auffassungen von Gott, Jesus und der Kirche (Kapitel 1-6) kann sehr viel zu einem besseren Verständnis und zur Überwindung alter theologischer Streitfragen und Konfliklte beitragen, die auch in Europa, ja weltweit akut sind. Kapitel 7 lädt zu einer radikal neuen Lesart der gesamten Bibel ein, und zwar auf eine rein "jesuanische" Art., die manche erschrecken wird. Trotz seines eindeutig kirchlichen und christlichen Standpunkts verweist der Autor auch immer wieder auf die spirituellen Wege und Werte der grossen Weltreligionen und mystischen Traditionen, welche er genau so wertschätzt wie seine eigene. Das Buch würde eine deutsche Übersetzung verdienen.

I particularly liked this book and the bravery of Paul Smith to persevere with his beliefs in one Church for so many years,continuing even after getting thrown out of the Southern Baptists (which was probably one of the best things that ever happened to him!) It is a pastoral theology, written by someone who is still at the grass roots end of church and is trying to find a way forward that enables Christians make sense of their inherited faith and hold that together with an evolutionary view of the world. He does big-up Ken Wilber, but uses his ideas very carefully, developed in his church in a tried and tested format. I appreciated his take on 'God-in-3D' and the new Trinitarian format of Infinite God, Intimate God and Inner God. His re-working of Jesus and us as the Light of the world fits in well with the concepts developed in my book 'Blue Sky God' Blue Sky God: The Evolution of Science and Christianity and moves us on to see Jesus in a new light, which I would express as Jesus being a Wisdom teacher of the path of transformative love. Five stars for some inspiring new thoughts, well written in an accessible style!

For decades I have tried to convince avowed atheists and anti-religionists that Christianity is a work in progress; it is evolving; it is a moving force that cannot be pigeonholed, nailed down or discarded as a carcass of past tyrannies or superstitious pie-in-the-sky fanaticism. But, oh no: they would usually insist on equating any form of Christianity, past or present, with the murderous incursions of the Crusaders, the atrocities of the Inquisition, the witch hunts, the restriction of scientific exploration, papal suppression of women’s rights, the hegemony of the privileged elite over the unwashed, and, generally the source of most evils ever known to civilized society. OK, maybe I am exaggerating, but I have long remained pessimistic that either secular anti-religionists or religious traditionalists would be able to open their eyes to the evolutionary progress which has taken place and is being made to set Christianity free of suffocating institutions and conventions. The book at hand is exemplary of that progressive impetus. Paul R Smith has managed to put together a book that has the potential to help unite Christians, Spirit-seekers and metaphysical philosophers of various descriptions and persuasions to find common purpose with the help of some simple but profoundly navigable concepts that can help them to fly freely in new formations above the murky turbulence of outmoded decrees, dogmas and doctrines. But even though I agreed with much of what Smith has written in this book, I did not enjoy continuously reading much of it. I often felt distracted, feeling hard pressed to tie too many things together. Sections of the book seem to go off on tangents which are redundant or superfluous to the main “integral Christianity” proposition. Some of the thoughts I had as I was reading were ‘this should have been at the beginning of the book instead of in the middle’ or ‘this is the same mannequin dressed up in yet another outfit’ or ‘life is not that linear or chronological’ or ‘we have ploughed this row already’ or ‘if you try to please everyone you may please no-one.’ Smith manages to have provocative ideas but desperately avoids getting stuck in a corner. Like a greased pig he scoots around bumping into traditions and ideologies whose defenders fail to grasp and hold on to him long enough to look him in the eye! I can’t help but think that this book would have been so much better with a good (even ruthless) editor. It could have been reduced in size by a third or a half without losing the significance of its stirring message. And its message is of significant importance. It is a message that all Christians should have an opportunity to know and ponder. No doubt, most would reject the full extent of its mystical universalistic “gospel.” But many would be stirred to discover themselves in new meaningful inspirational relationships with God, Jesus and the inner Christ. Let me quote the author from the conclusion of the book: “I understand integral Christianity to be the most inclusive version of following Jesus yet seen. As I have stated in various ways philosophically, it includes: • All people—not just Christians, or white straight males • All authentic spiritual paths—not just Christianity • All stages of development • All states of consciousness • All of life—not just the “spiritual” part • All Three Faces of God—not just one or two • All Three Faces of Christ—not just one or two • An inclusive Jesus as a blueprint for all of us pp 326-327 Despite its faults—in presentation and style, not in content—this book deserves to receive serious scrutiny by all churchgoing Christians and the spiritual-but-not-religious crowd. Paul R Smith deserves credit and praise for having written this book and for having dedicated his life to foster a more open inclusivistic theology.

This is a very fine book written with wisdom and love. It will help many Christians to come to terms with the new developments of Integral spirituality and give their faith a new direction to take.

Es ist wohl über dreizig Jahre her, dass ich ein englisches Buch zur Hand genommen habe. Dieses hier werde ich noch oft zur Hand nehmen. Theologisch eine hervorragende Interpretation der kirchlichen und theologischen Entwicklungen quer durch Epochen. Der integrale Ansatz ist absolut notwendig, wenn christliche Theologie und Kirchen weiter Menschen erreichen wollen. Bzw: wenn sie lebendig bleiben und sich weiterentwickeln wollen .... Sehr zu empfehlen!