This is a new edition of the book first published in 1985. Matthew Fox, author of 24 books and president and founder of the University of Creation Spirituality, presents 24 of the visions of Hildegard of Bingen (1098 - 1179), the multitalented and prolific abbess of a Benedictine abbey and influential preacher, healer, scientist, composer, theologian, artist, and poet. She coined the term viriditas, or greening power, connecting it closely with creativity. We are all co-creators with God, she taught, and the church is where we must nurture this activity. She was a critic of dried-out people and dried-out institutions. Being green was to be vital. A Christian should be a juicy person, moist with delight in God and the creation.
Over the last two decades, Matthew Fox almost single-handedly brought the modern world to a fresh appreciation of this phenomenally gifted woman. In this paperback he presents her visions and 24 full-color illustrations by Hildegard of Bingen. What accounts for the extraordinary surge of interest in her life and work? Fox lays out eight reasons: (1) Her experience as a woman and her personal struggle for liberation; (2) her marrying of science, art, and religion; (3) her psychology of microcosm/macrocosm; (4) her potential for global religious ecumenism based on her deep mysticism; (5) her prophetic commitment to justice; (6) her deep ecological sense; (7) her commitment to holistic education and theological methodology; and (8) her symbolic consciousness.
As a mystic and a prophet, Hildegard of Bingen was extremely focused on her ministry. In the final sentence of her major work, De Operatione Dei, she emphasizes her desire that it be useful to the believer. She calls upon those who read her words to receive them with "a modest heart." Hildegard of Bingen reminds all of us on a spiritual path to be practical, always taking seriously the usefulness of our work.
