Transcript Process Theology - Cirencester College

Process Theology
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We have considered a variety of Christian
arguments in defence of God against the problems
of evil. Particularly the theodicies.
Each has tried to work within a traditional
definition of God (Omnipotent / Omniscient / All
loving / All Good) and been confronted with
substantial criticism.
Process Theology presents a more radical solution
which asserts that God is not omnipotent –
therefore moving away from the classical
definition.
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Learning Aims
 To
explore the key features of Process
Philosophy and see how they are used
by Process Theologians to understand
the person of God.
 In particular we will focus on the
unique contribution Process theology
has made to the Problem of Evil and
Suffering.
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Introduction
Process theology is grounded in the
philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead
(1861-1947).
 In the modern era John Cobb Jr. has been a
significant developer of Whitehead's
philosophy within the context of Christian
theology.
 More recently David Griffin developed this
approach.
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Key Points – traditional view
 Process
theology challenges the
traditional view of God often presented in
Christianity.
 The traditional belief is that God is
perfect, static and that human activity
tends not to influence God or change God.
 Furthermore, God is usually considered to
be transcendent to the world. Is separate
from the world (God is ‘other’).
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Traditional view - ‘Static’
 ’Static'
does not mean God is inactive
but rather God is not in a process of
development, or change, from what
God is now to something better.
 For example, God does not learn and
increase in knowledge which then
allows God to make better decisions.
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Panentheism
Process theology holds that God did not create
the world and is instead a part of it. Having the
limited role of starting evolution.
 It is ‘panentheistic’; believing that everything is
in God rather than pantheistic which is the idea
that everything is God.
Pan = Everything; En = In; Theos = God
Pantheism = Everything is God
Panentheism = Everything is in God (or God is
in everything
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Nothing Stays the Same…
 Process
theology rests on the
foundational premise that
everything in the world is in flux.
 This means nothing is static.
 Everything is constantly in motion.
 Everything is always changing.
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Greek Philosophers
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The Buddha
'You cannot step into
the same rivers; for
fresh waters are ever
flowing in upon you'
(Heraclitus)
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Process Philosophy: Overview
 Process
philosophy begins with an
analysis of the human condition.
 In each moment we are in a process
towards becoming something else.
 This is because every moment is a new
experience.
 This is called Bi-polarity – it is to do
with making decisions.
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Consider the following with reference
to Karma…
Bi = Two
Pole = A sort of reference point (E.g. The
North and South poles)
Bi-polar = Two points of ‘reference’
In process philosophy these two points are the
past and potential future.
These always influence the present moment.
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What goes around comes around…
 Furthermore,
my experience in this
moment will not be forgotten but is
likely to affect some future decisions
as well.
 Thus my present experience will be
incorporated into my past pole.
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So what has all this got to
do with God?
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From Philosophy to Theology
According to process theologians God is an
entity like us in that every moment of God’s
existence is bi-polar.
 This means God makes decisions about
future events based on prior knowledge.
 This also means God has a past and future
pole.
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The implications of this are
significant.
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Firstly it means God does not have absolute
knowledge of all future events (is not
omniscient)
 God only knows what has happened up to now.
 Secondly, it means God must be learning from
us and increasing in knowledge and experience
moment by moment.
 Therefore, God will make decisions about the
future based on this knowledge.
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This also means God cannot force people to
do anything. God is limited in activity by
our choices.
 Furthermore, God can only encourage
people towards what God feels is the best
future for them (the Divine lure).
 There is the possibility in process theology
that people might reject God’s ‘advances’.
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Breaking from Tradition - Unlike traditional theism,
in process theology God is no longer considered
omniscient or omnipotent in the classical sense.
Classical
Omniscience –
knows ALL (Past,
Present AND
Future)
 P.T. - God only
knows all that has
happened.
Classical
Omnipotence –
bound by God’s
will. Free to a
point (free will)
P.T.– God can
only do as much
as God is
allowed to!
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The Process View of God
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You could say God is
a bit like a cosmic
gambler...
Because he could not
accurately predict the
future outcomes, he
gambled when making
choices.
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For Consideration…
1.
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Do you agree with process philosophy?
Do you like this view of God?
Do you find it helpful to think of God in this
way?
Why?
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Positive Aspects of the approach
Firstly, process theology presents a much
more sympathetic and understanding God.
 God does not judge us and condemn us
because we have not achieved some ‘ultimate’
perfection, for God has no more ‘arrived at
this point than we have.
 Like God we are simply to make the best of
each situation.
 God is a fellow sufferer who understands our
suffering.
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Getting Rid of Guilt?
In traditional theism you are encouraged to
study God to be more like God ('Be perfect,
therefore, as your heavenly Father is
perfect' (Matthew 5:48)).
 This is a very negative view of our
relationship with God and it can quickly
lead to guilt and a sense of worthlessness.
 This view is avoided in process theology.
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Getting Rid of the Divine Dictator
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In process theology we are fellow travellers with
God on the journey of life.
If we are to follow the example of God then this
should be one of co-operation rather than coercion.
And in terms of this as a model for human
behaviour…..
Like God we should not to force our opinions and
ideas onto other people.
People have the right to reject our views.
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Relevance to Evil and Suffering
God is not responsible for evil and
suffering;
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If God has the potential to be rejected
by us, then evil is a by-product of this
process of moving away from God.
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Inevitably 'bad' choices will be made by
entities which have the freedom to
reject or accept God's suggestions (the
Divine lure).
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Also under process theology God does not permit
evil, because God cannot prevent it from happening
in the first place.
Although evil is not something God wants, God
cannot really do anything about it.
The charge that God must be evil or impotent to
allow evil does not apply here for it is a problem
which has literally been taken out of 'God's hands’.
Rather God 's power and activity is limited through
our choices.
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Problems with Process Theologies
concept of God & Evil and Suffering
What value is there in praying to a God
who can only sympathise with your
afflictions but cannot do anything about
them?
 In terms of the future there is no guarantee
that good will triumph over evil.
 God may hope that it does and will
encourage people towards that goal, but
cannot force it to happen.
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Is God Good?
If God is always changing then what
guarantee is there that God will always hope
for good?
 God might suddenly change and decide to
start ‘luring’ people towards evil rather than
good.
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Value for Christian Theology
It presents a view of God much more akin
to that we find expressed in Jesus Christ.
 A God who understands, respects and
sympathises with us because God knows
what it means to be truly human.
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To do….
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Using what you have heard and pages 96 – 98
of Jordan, Lockyer & Tate;
Summarise Process theology / The Process
Theodicy
List the main strengths and weaknesses of the
theodicy
Make a note of points in the argument that relate
to Buddhism (I.e., that there is constant change;
that even God is subject to natural laws..) and
add comments that might be made from the
Buddhist perspective on these
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