Scan barcode
horatiovws's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
jedwardsusc's review against another edition
4.0
While the individualistic focus toward the end didn't speak to me, Rohr's analysis of Andrei Rublev's icon is, by itself, an excellent reason for reading this book.
strongman's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Took me a year to read, as it’s so rich in wisdom.
taylorpeters's review against another edition
5.0
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. Receiving this book in no way influenced my opinion and review of this book. The opinions from this review are mine and mine alone.
I do not claim to be a religious person. Maybe slightly spiritual, but even that is pushing it. When I won this book I was not that excited. This was a mistake on my part. This book did not change me, or suddenly make me a religious person, but I want to give Richard Rohr credit for opening my eyes to what religion is suppose to be.
I took notes while reading this book, which is not something I do, and I haven't done since high school. I received it in the mail and I wanted to do it justice. I didn't want to just disregard what Rohr had to say based on my beliefs and opinions. I want to share some of my favorite quotes, which may be out of context a little, but I want to share them anyways because they make me happy.
"Even in the eternal nature of things, you're somehow you in your you-ness, on the path that God is leading you on, the journey you are going through, the burdens that you are bearing. All of these are combing to create the precise alchemy of your soul, your holiness, and your response. In the eternal scheme of things, we discover that all God wants from you is you." (pg49)
This is a paragraph I know, but what Rohr is saying is so comforting to me. I can understand how sometimes you're trying to be a million things for many different people. Knowing that there is someone something out there that loves you for you is comforting.
"Life becomes a matter of showing up and saying yes." (pg56)
Out of context a little bit, but this quote just means so much. Sometimes you can't focus on the nos of life. You have to be a yes person.
Another part of this book that I enjoyed so much is Rohr's voice. You can clearly hear him in his writing. I can tell he is a kind, caring, and even funny person. He really gives life to his text, which is hard to do I think, in this type of literature. You can feel that Rohr is a good person and it shows through the personality of this book.
Rohr's beautiful acceptance and acknowledgement of the femininity of the Holy Spirt is so refreshing. I applaud Rohr's opened-mindless and it was so great to read his opinions on it. I want to thank Rohr for this book, since it was so wonderfully done.
I do not claim to be a religious person. Maybe slightly spiritual, but even that is pushing it. When I won this book I was not that excited. This was a mistake on my part. This book did not change me, or suddenly make me a religious person, but I want to give Richard Rohr credit for opening my eyes to what religion is suppose to be.
I took notes while reading this book, which is not something I do, and I haven't done since high school. I received it in the mail and I wanted to do it justice. I didn't want to just disregard what Rohr had to say based on my beliefs and opinions. I want to share some of my favorite quotes, which may be out of context a little, but I want to share them anyways because they make me happy.
"Even in the eternal nature of things, you're somehow you in your you-ness, on the path that God is leading you on, the journey you are going through, the burdens that you are bearing. All of these are combing to create the precise alchemy of your soul, your holiness, and your response. In the eternal scheme of things, we discover that all God wants from you is you." (pg49)
This is a paragraph I know, but what Rohr is saying is so comforting to me. I can understand how sometimes you're trying to be a million things for many different people. Knowing that there is someone something out there that loves you for you is comforting.
"Life becomes a matter of showing up and saying yes." (pg56)
Out of context a little bit, but this quote just means so much. Sometimes you can't focus on the nos of life. You have to be a yes person.
Another part of this book that I enjoyed so much is Rohr's voice. You can clearly hear him in his writing. I can tell he is a kind, caring, and even funny person. He really gives life to his text, which is hard to do I think, in this type of literature. You can feel that Rohr is a good person and it shows through the personality of this book.
Rohr's beautiful acceptance and acknowledgement of the femininity of the Holy Spirt is so refreshing. I applaud Rohr's opened-mindless and it was so great to read his opinions on it. I want to thank Rohr for this book, since it was so wonderfully done.
reverendpear's review against another edition
4.0
Like any good discussion of Trinity, this book isn't afraid of getting playfully heretical at times, or even mildly self-contradictory in some ways. Credit to Rohr for doing that well.
Ultimately, this is a pretty solid 101 text for Trinitarian thought and theology. The only reason I took a star off is because much (though not all) of the book is a bit too dismissive of the significance of material reality.
Ultimately, this is a pretty solid 101 text for Trinitarian thought and theology. The only reason I took a star off is because much (though not all) of the book is a bit too dismissive of the significance of material reality.
foxmcjoel's review against another edition
The Divine Dance originates from some of Richard Rohr’s conference talks, with Mike Morrell helping to organize, edit, and expound upon the original messages. It results in an expansive reframing (at least for me) of the understanding of the Trinity. I read the pages slowly, often repeatedly, in an attempt to let the words soak into me. The Divine Dance has caused me to rethink many tenets of my faith and appreciate art and poetry in new ways.
The book is quite fluid, with subheadings but not so much chapters, and it can sometimes be difficult to follow the underlying points. Morrell does an admirable job organizing Rohr’s thoughts in a way that makes sense, but the book’s origin as conference talks is very evident in some places. For better or worse, at various times it felt like I was reading the transcript of a wise old man sitting around a fire. It feels intimate and mystical, but can also be confusing and rambling. More than a few times I’d be scratching my head trying to understand a point, and then suddenly go “Wait, what? Say more about that!” when a topic would be quickly brought up and then dropped. For example, Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy is mentioned in its connection to rational thinking and medieval theology, but less than a page is given to explain this. The Consolation of Philosophy has a special place in my heart, so I would have loved to see this particular point in more detail.
Despite some of the editorial challenges of The Divine Dance, it is an exceptionally important and revitalizing work. My copy is full of highlighted passages and notes, and I am certain it is a book I’ll reread again. In fact, I think the deep, mystical truths require rereading. I am also very thankful for the appendix which includes seven practices for experiencing the Holy Trinity. I have found these tools very helpful when seeking to be conscious of my participation in the divine dance.
I come away from The Divine Dance with clearer eyes on what love is and what truth means. My entire faith hasn’t changed, but almost every aspect of my Christian beliefs have shifted just a little, realigned in a way that feels closer to God’s love than before. If you have the opportunity, I definitely recommend you read, absorb, and participate in the truths found in The Divine Dance.
The book is quite fluid, with subheadings but not so much chapters, and it can sometimes be difficult to follow the underlying points. Morrell does an admirable job organizing Rohr’s thoughts in a way that makes sense, but the book’s origin as conference talks is very evident in some places. For better or worse, at various times it felt like I was reading the transcript of a wise old man sitting around a fire. It feels intimate and mystical, but can also be confusing and rambling. More than a few times I’d be scratching my head trying to understand a point, and then suddenly go “Wait, what? Say more about that!” when a topic would be quickly brought up and then dropped. For example, Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy is mentioned in its connection to rational thinking and medieval theology, but less than a page is given to explain this. The Consolation of Philosophy has a special place in my heart, so I would have loved to see this particular point in more detail.
Despite some of the editorial challenges of The Divine Dance, it is an exceptionally important and revitalizing work. My copy is full of highlighted passages and notes, and I am certain it is a book I’ll reread again. In fact, I think the deep, mystical truths require rereading. I am also very thankful for the appendix which includes seven practices for experiencing the Holy Trinity. I have found these tools very helpful when seeking to be conscious of my participation in the divine dance.
I come away from The Divine Dance with clearer eyes on what love is and what truth means. My entire faith hasn’t changed, but almost every aspect of my Christian beliefs have shifted just a little, realigned in a way that feels closer to God’s love than before. If you have the opportunity, I definitely recommend you read, absorb, and participate in the truths found in The Divine Dance.
allisonjpmiller's review against another edition
5.0
Should be read and internalized by every Christian. Wholly subversive and wholly orthodox at the same time, which is Rohr's modus operandi, of course - but I think this is his most accessible and important book yet. The Western church is in desperate need of nondual, Trinitarian thinking. The lack of this type of contemplative dimension in Christianity has not just hobbled many movements and denominations; it's deeply harmed the people they claim to serve.
Of course, what makes The Divine Dance so wonderful is that these aren't Rohr's ideas. He's just tracing a map and guiding us through the inexhaustible wealth of wisdom that already exists in this tradition, waiting to be recovered and connected in new, vital ways. (In this case, I'd go so far as to say essential ways.)
Of course, what makes The Divine Dance so wonderful is that these aren't Rohr's ideas. He's just tracing a map and guiding us through the inexhaustible wealth of wisdom that already exists in this tradition, waiting to be recovered and connected in new, vital ways. (In this case, I'd go so far as to say essential ways.)
cricketgoat's review against another edition
5.0
A liberating and perception-shifting invitation to enter into the mystery of the Divine. Thoroughly enjoyed it and will be mentally and emotionally unpacking it for a while, yet.
clemencybelle's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5