The Universal Christ

How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope for, and Believe

By: Richard Rohr

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times Best Seller

From one of the world’s most influential spiritual thinkers, a long-awaited book exploring what it means that Jesus was called “Christ”, and how this forgotten truth can restore hope and meaning to our lives.

“Anyone who strives to put their faith into action will find encouragement and inspiration in the pages of this book.” (Melinda Gates)

In his decades as a globally recognized teacher, Richard Rohr has helped millions realize what is at stake in matters of faith and spirituality. Yet Rohr has never written on the most perennially talked about topic in Christianity: Jesus. Most know who Jesus was, but who was Christ? Is the word simply Jesus’s last name? Too often, Rohr writes, our understandings have been limited by culture, religious debate, and the human tendency to put ourselves at the center.

Drawing on scripture, history, and spiritual practice, Rohr articulates a transformative view of Jesus Christ as a portrait of God’s constant, unfolding work in the world.

“God loves things by becoming them,” he writes, and Jesus’s life was meant to declare that humanity has never been separate from God - except by its own negative choice. When we recover this fundamental truth, faith becomes less about proving Jesus was God, and more about learning to recognize the Creator’s presence all around us, and in everyone we meet.

Thought-provoking, practical, and full of deep hope and vision, The Universal Christ is a landmark book from one of our most beloved spiritual writers, and an invitation to contemplate how God liberates and loves all that is.

©2019 Richard Rohr (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Rohr sees the Christ everywhere, and not just in people. He reminds us that the first incarnation of God is in Creation itself, and he tells us that 'God loves things by becoming them.' Just for that sentence, and there are so many more, I cannot put this book down." (Bono)

“Fr. Richard challenges us to search beneath the surface of our faith and see what is sacred in everyone and everything. Anyone who strives to put their faith into action will find encouragement and inspiration in the pages of this book." (Melinda Gates, author of The Moment of Lift)

"A major shift in our culture is needed, and Richard Rohr's unpacking of The Universal Christ is a critical step in the right direction. Remembering our connection to 'every thing' has implications for our religious traditions, society - and dare I say it - even our politics." (Kirsten Powers, CNN political analyst and USA Today columnist)

Life Giving & Life Changing

Richard Rohr presents excellent ideas in a clear and well supported way. He helps the reader to think in a new way about the the most important things in life. I believe his teaching provides real hope for our future.

Life changing

A very eye opening book. I grew up Southern Baptist. It was easy to leave the “church” because after some bad decisions I felt I was already removed from Jesus. Religion has good intentions but it has too many human finger prints on it. This made me realize God never left me. I don’t criticize those of my past, they had the best intentions. Unfortunately, that does not mean they were right. My understanding of the scripture and overall meaning of Christ has been greatly changed because of this book.

Most Important Book - Ever

If I had one book of wisdom to give my children, or anyone, it is Rohr’s Universal Christ. I have waited my whole life for this book, and I will continue to live my whole life through this book.

Absolutely Beautiful! This is the Goodnews!

This book made me weep continuously and in the good way - like weeping at the surprise of unexpectedly meeting a loved one whom you've missed terribly; Spirit-filled tears that mark God's presence.  

Pax et Bonum!

Not Since CS Lewis

This is quite possibly the best book on the subject of Christianity that I have ever listened to. Halfway through I had to buy the hardcopy because I wanted to underline or highlight so many paragraphs and pithy quotes. Not since CS Lewis has an inspirational author written so succinctly, and with such inspired insight. This is a book for people who are interested in exploring what Christianity was meant to be, and for those who are unafraid to look at how far we have strayed. It is simply beautiful and I will return to it again and again. The audiobook is well natrated, well paced, and enjoyable to listen to. Richard Rohr would be one of my dinner dream guests.

If we all contemplate

The Christ is, indeed, Universal. Turn, my brothers and sisters to the full incarnatiinal Universe, and the pathway (Jesus, nature, animals, all things) to the All in All.

Challenging listen

took me a long time to get through this but it was worth it!! Expansive theology and practical applications for our times.

Incarnational defined

Wisdom is spoken here in an exhortation of Universal love. A revealing of the Eternal Christ primary motive. Moreover the all important “how” we can engage in a lifestyle that dissipates individual egoism and propels commonality in the ONENESS which Jesus himself prays on Creations behalf in John 17. This book is a treatise on human inclusion with God. Also a treatise on human inclusion with one another. Phenomenal! Remarkable in clarity. A book to hear many times over.

Mind and heart expansive

Richard Rohr has a way of challenging what I have been taught and freeing me to acknowledge what I often think otherwise in regards to theory by his putting some of my thoughts grounded by experience into words. Thank you, Fra. Rohr.

Incredible story

The author manages to interweave everything he has learned from many traditions, religions, and experiences over his 75 years into a new view of reality that he suggests can solve the dualism of liberal and conservative political resistance today. From order to disorder to a new reality. Amazing leap. Worth reading for anyone who thinks they are “right” in this tumultuous world. How he gets from Jesus to the political problems of America today is incredible.