Tomorrow's Catholic: Understanding God and Jesus in a New Millennium

This is a book which is well-written and in very simple language. It is is easy to understand and the reflection questions allow for group discussion following each chapter. When I first saw the title, I wasn't sold on the book. But since we have gotten into the book, I am enjoying it very much and can readily identify with a lot of the references to the past and how we need to up-date our thinking if the Church is to remain a viable entity in the world today.

I finished this book, flipped it over and started reading it again. Morwood's message spoke to me in a profound and exciting way: I've struggled to reconcile my call to Catholicism with church doctrines that appear irrelevant or affirmatively harmful; Morwood provides a framework for "re-imaging" God, Jesus and Church in a manner that resonates deeply for me. The church scandals and the relentless drumbeat of Apologist/conservative theology had me deeply depressed about the church and my role in it; this book has me feeling more hopeful and excited about my faith than I have in a long time. I hope that no one is dissuaded from reading this book by the vehemence of some of the critical reviews posted here. Sadly, I think some people let ideology impede open-minded engagement with some wonderfully rich and important ideas. (And it's clear by some comments that certain reviewers haven't even read the book!)Great stuff -- highly recommended.

A very challenging and readable book. Recommended for those who allow themselves to think.

With the publication five years ago of his bestselling first book, `God Is Near', Australian priest Michael Morwood demonstrated a rare awareness of the confusion about the contemporary Catholic Church experienced by many in our parish churches. While passionate about the need for change in the church, indeed radical transformation, he proved himself a sensitive guide for those struggling with the changes that have occurred since the Second Vatican Council.After a period of study in the United States, but obviously still in touch with the concerns of those in the pews, Morwood is back with a new book unlikely to give much comfort to those traditionalists who considered `God Is Near' anathema but welcomed by the many who have benefited from his pastoral vision. (Indeed, the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne has recently banned `Tomorrow's Catholic' from schools and churches.)`Tomorrow's Catholic' is a very readable presentation of a Catholic theology and spirituality that does not presume a worldview in which the Church is at the centre of our society and its authority unquestioned. Morwood is tackling the thorny issue of how to preserve the essence of the gospel and Catholic tradition without the `packaging' of the past. He explains the changing worldview in which we are now immersed, and shows how we can understand God, revelation and Jesus in such a context. He also makes insightful proposals for spirituality and the exercise of leadership in the Church.Like its predecessor, `God Is Near', Morwood's book is suitable for personal or group use. It includes questions for reflection, suggestions for further reading, a bibliography and index. [Book of the Month Selection, John Garratt Catholic Book Club.]