Letters to Pope Francis by Matthew Fox

Last updated on: May 31, 2018 at 9:02 pm by Jim Erwin

Letters to Pope Francis by Matthew Fox 2018-05-31T21:02:12-05:00 Jim Erwin

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Letters to Pope Francis by Matthew Fox

First, I need to confess that I am not Catholic. As a result, my review may not conform to Catholic thought and practice. Nevertheless, I was mildly surprised by this short book. A dismissed priest takes time to ask the present leader of the Catholic Church questions about what the pope has, can, and should do. In the course of reading this book, I began to question the fact that the author insisted on an agenda which he wished Pope Francis would adopt.

First, Fox insists on that the Catholic church should operate and teach its theology based on the “sense of the faith” (17) or sensus fidelium. Instead of the Bible being the arbiter of truth (or the pope in Catholicism), Fox insists that everyone together can determine what the Catholic church should and should not believe. His intent is to open the eyes of the Catholic leadership to more people. However, he would sacrifice the purity of the faith to do so. Fox questions the Catholic preoccupation with sexual morality, and insists that mysticism is more important than morality (18).

Fox advocates “Creation Spirituality” (which makes him a Panentheist) and continues to promote this theological position throughout the book (51, 76, 78, 80). I appreciate that he understands the challenges that every church is facing (54), which is engaging the newly changing culture (58). I agree that as Christians, there should be little distinction in our lives between the secular and the sacred (70).

In the end, Fox advocates that the ultimate expression of the Christian faith is love, which includes justice and compassion. He is of course advocating that we should accept everyone no matter how sinful their behavior (127). I agree that we need to show more justice and compassion as we express Christian love.

The book ends with a list of reforms which Fox would wish that Pope Francis would adopt (131). Some (like married priests) seem obvious. However, most rely on the theological presupposition of the “sense of the faithful.” If a Catholic wishes more reforms, they will find a friend with Fox. His tone is very respectful, though he clearly wishes to change how Pope Francis would lead the Catholic. I suspect that many Catholics would agree with Fox.

This review was posted for Speakeasy.

Twitter: #SpeakeasyPopeFrancis

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.

Other Posts:

The Pope Takes a Postmodern Punch in the Nose by Islam

Previous Post

February 4, 2014

My Future Inheritance

Next Post

February 4, 2014 Keeping the Feast by Milton Brasher-Cunningham

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 1 Chronicles 1 Corinthians 1 John 1 Kings 1 Peter 1 Samuel 1 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Chronicles 2 Corinthians 2 John 2 Kings 2 Peter 2 Samuel 2 Thessalonians 2 Timothy 3 John Acts Advent Amos Book Review Colossians Comics Culture Watch Daniel Deuteronomy Ecclesiastes Ephesians Esther Exodus Ezekiel Ezra Galatians Genesis Guest Post Habakkuk Haggai Hebrews Hosea Humor Inspiritational Isaiah James Jeremiah Job Joel John Jonah Joshua Jude Judges Lamentations Lectionary Lent Leviticus Link Love Luke Malachi Mark Matthew Micah Movie Review Nahum Nehemiah Numbers Philippians Political Watch Prophecy Watch Proverbs Psalm Revelation Reviews Romans Ruth Science Watch Sermon Series Sermons Simple Thoughts Song of Solomon Titus Top Ten Uncategorized Video Review Zechariah Zephaniah

Select a Month May 2026 October 2025 September 2025 June 2025 February 2025 January 2025 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 July 2024 June 2024 April 2024 March 2024 January 2024 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 June 2023 May 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 January 2022 June 2021 January 2021 October 2020 July 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2009 June 2008 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 October 2006 September 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 September 2005

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What mountain did Moses receive the Ten Commandments on?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Mount Carmel Mount Ararat Mount Sinai Mount Zion