Process theology

Process theology. It is a school of thought primarily developed from the metaphysical philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. This theological framework reinterprets the nature of God and the divine relationship with the world, emphasizing change, dynamism, and interdependence. It stands in contrast to traditional views of Classical theism, proposing a God who is persuasive rather than coercive and who is intimately affected by worldly events.

Overview and core concepts

Central to this perspective is the rejection of static substance metaphysics in favor of a reality composed of momentary events or experiences termed "actual occasions." Within this metaphysical system, God is understood as having two natures: a primordial nature, which is the source of all potentiality and order, and a consequent nature, which receives and integrates the experiences of the world. The fundamental creative process is termed "creativity," and every entity is seen as possessing some degree of self-determination or subjective aim. Key concepts include Panentheism, where the world is within the divine life, and the doctrine that God exercises persuasive, not controlling, power, as seen in the work of Charles Hartshorne. This view directly challenges notions of divine immutability and impassibility.

Historical development and influences

The intellectual foundations were laid in the early 20th century with the publication of Alfred North Whitehead's seminal work, Process and Reality. While Whitehead was not a theologian, his philosophical system was adopted and adapted by theologians seeking to reconcile faith with modern thought, particularly the theories of Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein. The formal development began in the mid-20th century, significantly advanced by philosophers like Charles Hartshorne at the University of Chicago and later theologians such as John B. Cobb Jr. at the Claremont School of Theology. The establishment of the Center for Process Studies in Claremont, California provided an institutional home for this thought. It has engaged in dialogue with other traditions, including Buddhism, through figures like David Ray Griffin.

Key thinkers and works

The foundational philosopher is indisputably Alfred North Whitehead, whose books Science and the Modern World and Process and Reality provided the core metaphysical scheme. Charles Hartshorne is considered the primary theological pioneer, developing a neoclassical concept of God in works like The Divine Relativity and Man's Vision of God. Major systematic theologians include John B. Cobb Jr., author of A Christian Natural Theology, and David Ray Griffin, who wrote God, Power, and Evil and championed a form of Panentheism. Other significant contributors include Schubert M. Ogden, Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki, and Catherine Keller. Their collective work has been disseminated through journals and conferences associated with the Center for Process Studies.

Theological and philosophical implications

This framework has profound implications for understanding the problem of evil, suggesting that God does not unilaterally prevent suffering but works persuasively within the constraints of worldly freedom and process. It redefines divine power as relational and persuasive, impacting doctrines of providence, Prayer, and Christology. In Philosophy of religion, it offers an alternative to the God of the gaps argument by proposing a God inherently involved in natural processes, compatible with Evolutionary biology. Its panentheistic model influences Ecotheology and Interfaith dialogue, particularly with traditions like Buddhism that emphasize interdependence, as explored by thinkers at the Claremont School of Theology.

Criticisms and responses

Major criticisms come from proponents of Classical theism, such as those within the Reformed epistemology tradition, including Alvin Plantinga, who argue it compromises God's sovereignty and aseity. Traditional Thomists and evangelical theologians contend it departs from historical Christian orthodoxy on key doctrines like Creatio ex nihilo. Some philosophers, including Jürgen Moltmann, have engaged with its themes while maintaining a more traditional Trinitarian focus. Defenders respond that it provides a more coherent and credible account of divine love and interaction in light of modern science and the reality of radical evil. They also note its fruitfulness in addressing contemporary issues in Science and religion and Environmental ethics.

Category:Process theology Category:Philosophical theology Category:20th-century theology