New book the Universal Christ

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Susansdec

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Have any of you read the Universal Christ by Fr. Richard Rohr??? It was published earlier this year…he is a very well known Fransiscan priest from Alberquerque New Mexico…his writings and talks have helped me so much…

I also recommend his books… Falling upwards and Immortal diamond and the Divine dance and the Naked now and Everything Belongs…

And no… he is NOT a heretic or new age…he follows the theology of St. Francis and St. Boneventure and Fund Scotus…
 
Susansdec said:
his writings and talks have helped me so much…
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Me too, though I haven’t read any of his books. If you like him, I’ve also gotten a lot out of one of his associates–Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault. She has loads of content on YouTube and her site, but she isn’t Catholic. And you also can’t go wrong with Fr Thomas Keat ing. YouTube also has tons of his videos.
 
They are really good too…I also recommend books by James Finley and Henri Nouwen and Carl Mccolman too…
 
I read about five pages, at random, while thumbing through a copy of this book.

Where it doesn’t outright commit Christological heresy or deny essential (and very basic) Church teaching, it’s simply nonsensical. For example, there’s one part where he talks about how the Apostle’s Creed says Jesus descended into hell–and the reason was to free everyone from hell so no one would go there anymore.

The Apostle’s Creed isn’t talking about the hell of the damned, it’s talking about the “limbo of the fathers,” where those who died before Christ but who were righteous awaited the gates of heaven being opened to them. This teaching is scriptural and is easy enough to find in the Catechism, but Rohr conflates “hell” here with the hell of the damned and then uses it to argue that Jesus somehow saves even those who are damned, which is contrary to Church teaching.

Rohr’s writing isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. Run far and fast.

-Fr. ACEGC
 
Could you please show me what I have said that is intellectually proud, arrogant, or fearful here? I cited sources and I spoke from experience. As a priest, I have a duty in conscience to point out what might lead people astray. Richard Rohr’s writing is immensely problematic doctrinally and spiritually, and so I have a duty to teach people that.
 
edward_george1 said:
Could you please show me what I have said that is intellectually proud, arrogant, or fearful here?
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edward_george1 said:
Run far and fast.
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Father, I know that you and I have disagreed in threads before, but I appreciate your presence on CAF. The forum is much the better for you being here. But, I did intepret “run far and fast” as inherently fearful. If there is nothing to fear, why should Susan need to run far and fast? God loves Fr Edward George, me, Susan and Fr Rohr, so there is truly nothing to fear.

And whatever you may think about his views on Hell, this doesn’t necessarily entail anything about the spiritual practices he advocates. As in, Fr. Rohr could be dead wrong about Hell and simultaneously right on the money in spirituality. I don’t see any logical connection between the two.

But, again, I’m grateful for your presence and sharing your mind/heart on these forums. Not trying to gang up on you, but your response did come across as fearful. Peace be with you!
 
Susansdec said:
Richard Rohr is a prophetic voice to the Catholic Church…as is Pope Francis…

Also…you should try centering prayer…
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Says these things to the Batpriest just after saying…
Susansdec said:
I see alot of intellectual pride and arrogance and fear here…
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Rohr is a distinctly mediocre thinker who covers milquetoast statements in theological language, making himself sound profound when he’s saying, at best, nothing or, at worst, heresy.
 
I don’t see how that follows, to be quite honest. If there is danger, I will surely tell people to run far and fast from it. It doesn’t necessarily arise from fear. In this case, it arises from the rather well-founded recognition that Rohr’s writings are problematic. I didn’t say “I’m so scared of Richard Rohr, run away, run away!” I would appreciate if my intentions were not presumed so.

And with that, I’m out of this thread, since I’m not sure that I will get a fair hearing.
 
edward_george1 said:
And with that, I’m out of this thread, since I’m not sure that I will get a fair hearing.
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@HopkinsReb is on your side here! And so am I. As always, there is nothing to fear. Not from me. Not from Susan. Not from Fr Rohr. Thankfully, God unconditionally loves us all.
 
The OP has been temporarily suspended, but I just wanted to point out that a couple months ago she posted on another thread that reading books by Fr. Rohr actually “introduced (her) to Buddhism and sowed doubt in (her) mind”.

It’s no wonder Fr. Edward is in the thread warning the faithful about Fr. Rohr’s books when they seem to have even led the OP astray. I can’t understand why someone who began to doubt Catholicism after reading a book by Fr. Rohr would then recommend that other Catholics should read his books.
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Why should I remain Catholic vs. become a Buddhist or a Hindu? Catholic Living
I had a “honeymoon” in my conversion a few years back…but then I lost it after reading a “well knwn” Fransiscan priest by the name of Fr. Richard Rohr…his material introduced me to Buddhism and sowed doubt in my mind…
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IMO, Fr. Rohr’s writing should be taken with a grain of holy salt. I am far from alone in this belief.
 
I’m actually fairly friendly to Buddhism, although I’m not going to be quitting Catholicism and going over to Buddhism at this point.
But if I wanted to read books on Buddhism/ Eastern practice by Catholics, I’d pick Thomas Merton over Rohr any day. Just sayin’.
 
In one of his videos Richard Rohr scoffs at the idea that actual demons were cast out by Jesus and said that “we postmodern people” know better, and that- Ah! - Jesus was ACTUALLY casting out “addiction”!!
 
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Wow, I did not make this connection, but I remember that thread. I am sorry to hear about this. Fr Rohr isn’t leading anyone “astray.” I suppose the OP must have other things going on. Her reactions to Fr George and the others in this thread were extreme. I didn’t know what to make of it. Susan needs our prayers. If she re-enters CAF under the same username, I’ll be more mindful.
 
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I first spoke with a priest about becoming Catholic in 2016 and a large part of why it didn’t happen sooner than March 2019 was because of Rohr’s books. He has nothing but snide things to say about the Church. He cares more about not offending non Cathilics than anything else.
 
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