Martin Luther Original Reformer

Matthew Fox New Reformer?

A NEW REFORMATION: THEOLOGIAN MATTHEW FOX CHALLENGES POPE, THE CHURCH
AND
THE WORLD TO RETHINK CHRISTIANITY

WITTENBERG, GERMANY---June 8, 2005---Crowds gathering at the famous
Wittenberg Cathedral (Schlosskirche) witnessed the nailing of the 95
Theses for a New Reformation, by American theologian Matthew Fox. Like
his predecessor Martin Luther in 1517, Fox believes that the church is
in trouble and in need of a drastic change. Fox took it upon himself to
write an updated version of the 95 Theses for this millennium. While
Luther's protest was against indulgences and corruption in the
administration of Pope
Leo X, Fox's beef is more attuned to the injustices and power abuses
currently in the Vatican under Pope Benedict XVI and the apathy
epidemic present in Protestant Churches. "I have great respect for what
Luther achieved when he protested against corruption. I also believe
the church needs a reformation more today than it did 500 years ago,"
Fox said.

Matthew Fox, a former Dominican priest and author of 26 popular
religious and theological textbooks, is the founder of Wisdom
University in Oakland California. His concern about the Church's
corruption reached a turning point after the election of Joseph
Ratzinger to the position of Pope. Fox's new book "A New Reformation!"
(Wisdom University Press, May 2005, $12.00)
challenges Pope Benedict XVI and exposes part of the corruption of the
papacy. Fox and the new Pope are old opponents who had intensive
debates on theological issues in the 1980s. Fox and 100 other prominent
theologians were silenced by then cardinal Ratzinger. A year later, Fox
was forced to leave the Dominican Order by Pope John Paul II and
subsequently converted to
the Episcopal church.

Fox's new book calls for a new awakening for Christians. The book's
premise is that we are confronted with two versions of Christianity:
one that is fundamentalist and is characterized by a Punitive Father
God, a rigidly hierarchical church structure, a belief that we are born
of original sin, intolerance of gay lifestyles, a fear of science; and
the other version of Christianity which is expressed by a loving God of
justice and compassion, is earth centered and eco-conscious, is
interfaith and lifestyle tolerant,
embraces the feminine, believes in original blessing and encourages
scientific thought. Some of Fox's new takes on the 95 Theses include:
"God is both Father and Mother;" "Religion is not necessary, but
spirituality is;" and "Jesus said nothing about condoms, birth control
or homosexuality." Fox believes it is time for Christians to choose
whom it will follow: an angry exclusionary God or the loving God who
opens the path to wisdom.

Hailed as "the New Reformer" by the German media, Fox and his quest for
a new reformation was supported by over 500 attendees in Bad Herrenalb
while his nailing of the 95 Theses on the Schlosskirche in Wittenberg
drew new crowds and interviews from various magazine and television
journalists. Fox noted that the Cathedral today was mainly a tourist
stop, much like his
analogy in his new book, where he refers to today's institutionalized
churches as "museums" rather than active spiritual centers.

"The traditional purpose of a thesis is to open up constructive debate
in the search for truth," says Fox. "At this critical time in human and
planetary history, when the earth is being ravaged by the violence of
war, poverty, sexism, homophobia and eco-destruction, we need to gather
those who offer a future that is one of compassion, creativity and
justice to stand up
and speak their conscience together as never before. Religion ought to
be part of the solution, not the problem."