Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Process Theology: An Introductory Exposition by John B., Jr. Cobb, David R. Griffin ISBN: 0-664-24743-1 Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press Pub. Date: January, 1977 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (4 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: In the process of becoming...
Comment: One of the hallmarks of process theology, and the process philosophy that underpins it, is that it views all of actual reality as being in process, either becoming or decaying (which is, in fact, becoming something else), but that there is no static 'thing', that actual entities are in fact always in flux -- this is in keeping with modern science, philosophy, and culture, but also makes a sort of timeless sense. There are, to be sure, unchanging principles, but to be actual, to be real, is to be in process.
The two primary philosophical leaders of process theology are Alfred North Whitehead (protege of Bertrand Russell) and Charles Hartshorne, whom the authors of this volume discuss in some detail from the beginning. Adding references to other theologians whose thought edged toward process (Bultmann, Teilhard de Chardin, Kant) they then proceed to systematically explore the depths of theology from this process perspective.
As things are in process, they are also in relationship with each other. There is an interdepence of all things, and things are relative to each other in creation -- here it is worth noting that Whitehead did extensive work with Einstein's theory of relativity. Creativity is of primary importance, and the issue of novelty and unique character is very important for process. God is involved in all things, at every stage, but not in a controlling manner, but rather as a persuasive element, pulling all of creation toward God's ends, but permitting continued freedom of action within the current framework of time and history.
It is probably beyond saying that process does not subscribe to any particular set of denominational doctrines or dogmas -- process ideas can inform and shape, and in turn be influenced by, the direct experiences and religious sentiments of people. An understanding of God in action must be gained through specific experiences, but none of these should cloud the initial aim of God, which is the enjoyment of all things (enjoyment here being different from a purely hedonist enjoyment) by all creation.
Process theology sees Jesus as the incarnation of God that expresses the creative love of God and the creative transformation that is possible for all of us. Jesus is not a mere symbol, nor some otherworldly figure simply to be worshipped or feared -- interestingly, while the majority of people who wear WWJD bracelets and the like might be suspicious of process theology, in fact they are tapping into one of the key components of process -- that Jesus serves as a model to help us create the future. This leads quickly to the eschatological idea that we help to create the realm of God, and as such we must have a care for the ecology, the politics, the economy and all else that concerns humanity and humankind's better existence in the world.
Process ecclesiology challenges the churches to explore both their history and their potential for being agents of transformation in the world. Cobb and Griffin describe the churches today as having suffered a loss of nerve, being unable to participate in the creative advance of society -- ironically, they describe the history of the church in medieval, Reformation and Counter-Reformation times as being more creative and willing to engage society and the critical thought of the day than they are at present. This must change, particularly in a world that still suffers from a precarious situation so far as survival is concerned.
Cobb and Griffin provide two appendices -- the first, a very brief look at the relationship of philosophy and theology, and the second, a literature survey of process thought, primarily dealing with Whitehead, but also extending beyond a bit.
John Cobb and David Ray Griffin both taught at Claremont, which has of late become the primary centre for process theology. Both are authors collaboratively and individually of other works on process theology; however, this book is perhaps the first, best primer on the subject to deal with all the classical categories of systematic theology. The writing is a bit academic at times; clearly this text is intended as a book for students at advanced undergraduate, early graduate or seminary levels.
It is a good overview of the subject, brief but comprehensive, engaging for the most part, and well worth investigation by anyone interested in the connections between theology and philosophy, theology and science, theology and culture, and general twentieth century theological thought.
Rating: 3
Summary: Still a good book after 25 years
Comment: Cobb and Griffin wrote this book in the mid-70s to fill a growing need in American theological thought, namely, a clear exposition of the trend known as "process theology." Based on the work of Whitehead and Hartshorne, process thought takes seriously the ideas many have come to take for granted today, such as the interconnected nature of reality, the subjectivity of science, and a more holistic and biblical idea of a God that responds and reacts to creation with creativity. Process theology developed these themes, with varying degrees of success. It is still trying to develop these themes, three decades after this book.
It must be said that Cobb and Griffin both were indebted more to Hartshorne's development of Whitehead's philosophy than a more strictly Whiteheadian point of view. Because of this, the idea of God as a single "actual entity" gets turned into the idea that God is a "serially ordered sequence of occasions," not Whitehead's view at all, and only remotely monotheistic (or even di-theistic or panentheistic). The best chapter in the volume is the one on Christology. The worst is the one on eschatology. There are few things in theology more helpful than a process christology; there are few things less helpful than a process eschatology, at least as Cobb and Griffin outline it. See Ted Peter's God: The World's Future for an excellent use of process thought in the area of eschatology.
Those of us working in the area of process theology today look back to this book as a wonderful example of how we should conduct our own work, trying to carry on its successes and trying to avoid its shortcomings. The racist, materialistic, and sexist remarks in the review below point to why this book, even with its methodological and theological shortcomings, should continue to be read by people wanting to answer the questions raised by theology within the framework of a creative modern philosophy.
Rating: 3
Summary: A Good Book About A Bad Theology
Comment: Even many people who have never heard of process theology have heard of its central concepts, most notably a limited and evolving god, so an introductory book on this subject is quite useful. Professors Cobb and Griffin are advocates of process theology and provide a balanced overview of both the history and ideas of process thought as well as a defense. In the introduction, the authors set forth 5 "connotations" of the word "God" (which are somewhat caricatured views of orthodox theism) and then state of each: "Process theology denies the existence of this God."
The authors provide a useful background study of process theology, beginning with Whitehead and his student, Charles Hartshorne. It also contains a lengthy "guide to the literature." Unfortunately, the book came out in 1976 so these sections are a bit out of date. Speaking of the 70's, what strikes me as interesting about the book is how "70's" it is. It's all there - environmentalism, women's lib, "authenticity," "realizing new possibilities," Buddhism, etc. If they book had come out in the 80's, we probably would have heard that the American Indians were process theologians.
Those seeking a different view might consider D. Bloesch's GOD THE ALMIGHTY and M. Erickson's GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY.
 |
Title: Process Theology: A Basic Introduction by C. Robert Mesle, John B., Jr. Cobb ISBN: 0827229453 Publisher: Chalice Press Pub. Date: September, 1993 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
 |
Title: Omnipotence and Other Theological Mistakes by Charles Hartshorne ISBN: 0873957717 Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr Pub. Date: June, 1984 List Price(USD): $20.95 |
 |
Title: A Key to Whitehead's Process and Reality by Alfred North Whitehead, Donald W. Sherburne ISBN: 0226752933 Publisher: University of Chicago Press Pub. Date: September, 1981 List Price(USD): $24.00 |
 |
Title: PROCESS AND REALITY by Alfred North Whitehead ISBN: 0029345707 Publisher: Free Press Pub. Date: 01 July, 1979 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
 |
Title: In God's Presence: Theological Reflections on Prayer by Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki ISBN: 0827216157 Publisher: Chalice Press Pub. Date: October, 1996 List Price(USD): $16.99 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
