Recently I received the new book Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation by Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox for review. It’s an interesting book written as a dialogue between, Fox, the older, on-the-fringe Dominican Catholic (kicked out of the Catholic Church by the previous pope) and the younger activist from Poland, Bucko. In the book the seek to explore a post-religious spirituality present (and needed) within the occupy movement that has ignited over the past five years or so.
I have long had an interest in, for a lack of a better descriptor, “fringe” theological perspectives like Matthew Fox. Bucko and Fox live on the fringes of organized religion and better identify with an anarchist, non-institutional eclectic movement that is rigorously postmodern and post-structural. I was intrigued by the title and found the content to pique alot of my interest.
Anyone within the system of organized religion will have difficulty following Fox and Bucko. Many times, I found myself thinking that a certain perspective or thought was interesting or provocative, but it certainly took me out of my comfort zone – which is a good thing. This book helped me realized the small well from which I drink. We grow so comfortable in our own bubbles of learning and exposure, that when something like this book is brought to your attention, you begin to question how blindly you follow the crowd you follow.
The book begins by each author sharing their personal story which helps inform the entirety of the book. I found this to be helpful since I was unfamiliar with both (Fox, I knew a little bit about, but not much). I find most non-fiction books should begin with an author’s introduction. It’s easier to process what an author is saying knowing a little something about their person. From the introduction, the book touches on calling, spiritual practices, the importance of inter-generational interaction, and ends by exploring some practical situations lived out in newer communities.
There is much I found helpful in this book. I loved the ecumenical and inter-religious thrust of the dialogue. As I said, it made me realize how limited my experience is. It encouraged me, especially something Adam Bucko said near the end, to be proactive in finding spiritual advisers. There is a Hindu temple and a Jain center both within a block of our suburban church. This book has encouraged me to seek out their spiritual advisers and extend and olive branch to pursue productive relationships for the future.
I have chosen not to review a lot of the content because I am still processing a great deal of it. It comes across to me in the unsettling way of a prophet. Both authors reflect a great deal on the limitations of traditional Western education (particularly theological education) as it relates to spirituality. It has convicted me here, too, as to the limitations of my own experiences. The practices they discuss are a little out there, from time to time, but encourage me to be proactive in my experimentation. Bucko works with homeless youth in New York City, and that drives his experience. I wondered, sometimes, as I read how the kinds of things they are discussing relate to the “non-hippies.” Many of the people I thought of as I read through this book would really be stretched by their perspective . . . maybe too far to be productive. I appreciated the stretch, but I think many Christians, particularly may find them to be a little too far out of their comfort zone.
With that said, I would encourage pastors and leaders to read this book if for no other reason that to be stretched. Consider how myopic our perspectives tend to be and just how big God is.
Theological Vacillation 