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Guides for the Perplexed
Process Theology: A Guide for the Perplexed
This is an introductory guide to Process Theology for undergraduates. As part of Contiuum's 'Guide for the Perplexed' series, this text provides an accessible introduction to process theology, aimed at nurturing the theological imagination of undergraduates, pastors and interested laypersons. It describes the major themes of process theology and relates them to the everyday lives and spiritual commitments of people today. In addition to addressing traditional theological issues, Epperly addresses cutting edge issues in theology and ethics such as pluralism and postmodernism, matters of life and death, science (technology and genetics), and emerging forms of Christianity. This text is designed for seminary and university classes as well as congregational study. It will help readers to overcome the obstacles created by the technical language often employed by process theologians. Continuum's Guides for the Perplexed are clear, concise and accessible introductions to thinkers, writers and subjects that students and readers can find especially challenging - or indeed downright bewildering. Concentrating specifically on what it is that makes the subject difficult to grasp, these books explain and explore key themes and ideas, guiding the reader towards a thorough understanding of demanding material.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2011
63 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 6, 2011
Process Theology has been for many of us a rather complex and often incomprehensible theological system. It seeks to offer a theological perspective that speaks to and is conversant with the modern age, especially bringing into the discussion science and religious pluralism, but it too often one has had to almost learn a new theological language to make sense of the ideas. Bruce Epperly has done a nice job in helping us understand the basic principles of Process Theology by doing some "translating" and explaining. That doesn't mean that this is an easy read or simplistic. Proces Theology remains complex, but now it's less incomprehensible.
If you're looking for traditional theology, especially one with a narrow vision of what that means, Proces isn't you thing. But if you're open to a new vision of how God might be present to us, well you might find Bruce's presentation very attractive.
Am I now ready to become a Process Theologian? Perhaps not, but there is a lot to like in this system and Bruce makes the system clearer and more understandable.
Thanks Bruce!
If you're looking for traditional theology, especially one with a narrow vision of what that means, Proces isn't you thing. But if you're open to a new vision of how God might be present to us, well you might find Bruce's presentation very attractive.
Am I now ready to become a Process Theologian? Perhaps not, but there is a lot to like in this system and Bruce makes the system clearer and more understandable.
Thanks Bruce!
July 2, 2012
A really great book for anyone interested in understanding Process Theology. Process Thought began with a cleva so and so called Alfred North Whitehead (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/whi...). Process Theologians have researched as to how this enables Christians to have a deeper and more coherant understanding of God and the unfolding of God's work in our lives. It is not an exposition of Whiteheads Philosophy - for that I have ordered: Key to Whitehead's "Process and Reality"
Donald W. Sherburne. The style of the book is informational and very practical. For anyone wanting a simple introduction to Process Theology I would recommend this book alongside John Cobb Jr's audio http://www.ctr4process.org/media/audi....
I look forward to reading some of John Cobb and am also enjoying On the Mystery: Discerning Divinity in Process by Catherine Keller
Donald W. Sherburne. The style of the book is informational and very practical. For anyone wanting a simple introduction to Process Theology I would recommend this book alongside John Cobb Jr's audio http://www.ctr4process.org/media/audi....
I look forward to reading some of John Cobb and am also enjoying On the Mystery: Discerning Divinity in Process by Catherine Keller
July 4, 2012
For a long time, I have been looking for a way to bridge the gap between the New Age/New Thought mysticism that has been so inspiring to me and the Christian faith of my childhood and heritage. Process theology fills that gap, and this book is an excellent introduction. I was a philosophy major, though, and regularly read philosophy and theology just for my enjoyment. I would not recommend this to someone unfamiliar with reading that type of work.
November 14, 2025
Sometimes there’s no pleasing me. When I began Process Theology, I had just finished a classic of twentieth-century theology that I had complained was too dense, and I quickly discovered that this was very thin porridge. I’ve been curious to learn more about process theology, and this book is consistently mentioned as the best introduction to the subject. I hope that’s not true.
Why do I say that? It’s more than that I’ve never encountered an author with a less sure grasp of where to place commas (although that doesn’t inspire confidence) or his indiscriminate use of the word “unique.” In part, it’s that I’m astounded that in such a short book, Epperly finds room to repeat himself so often. I also found it strange that, on at least three occasions, he lists the names of process theologians and inserts himself in the middle of the list.
Apart from these oddities, my disappointment with the book repeatedly led me to conclude that Alfred North Whitehead, credited as the father of process theology, does not seem well-served by his disciples (certainly not by this one). Epperly consistently refers to “process theologians” as if this were an exclusive club with a uniform set of beliefs. In only one case does he concede that many contemporary theologians share a point he is making. In other cases, for instance, the shift from substance-oriented understandings of the Trinity to relational ones, he fails to acknowledge this.
One of the difficulties in approaching process theology is that the writings of its proponents, beginning with Whitehead, are often opaque. Epperly cites examples of what he characterizes as “esoteric terms”: “concrescence,” “prehension,” “primordial, consequent, and superjective natures of God,” “initial aims,” and “hybrid physical feelings.” He assures the reader that he will explain each term as he uses it (he’s particularly fond of the pair of opposites “apophatic” and “kataphatic”). But most of the terms he lists don’t reappear in the course of the book, which gives the feel of an unfulfilled promise.
I remain curious to learn more about process theology, since its fundamental understanding of God as one who develops and grows in interaction with the course of the universe appeals to me. I hope to find a better guide to help me come to terms with it, particularly one that contextualizes it in overall theological discussion of the twentieth century and is appropriately critical.
Why do I say that? It’s more than that I’ve never encountered an author with a less sure grasp of where to place commas (although that doesn’t inspire confidence) or his indiscriminate use of the word “unique.” In part, it’s that I’m astounded that in such a short book, Epperly finds room to repeat himself so often. I also found it strange that, on at least three occasions, he lists the names of process theologians and inserts himself in the middle of the list.
Apart from these oddities, my disappointment with the book repeatedly led me to conclude that Alfred North Whitehead, credited as the father of process theology, does not seem well-served by his disciples (certainly not by this one). Epperly consistently refers to “process theologians” as if this were an exclusive club with a uniform set of beliefs. In only one case does he concede that many contemporary theologians share a point he is making. In other cases, for instance, the shift from substance-oriented understandings of the Trinity to relational ones, he fails to acknowledge this.
One of the difficulties in approaching process theology is that the writings of its proponents, beginning with Whitehead, are often opaque. Epperly cites examples of what he characterizes as “esoteric terms”: “concrescence,” “prehension,” “primordial, consequent, and superjective natures of God,” “initial aims,” and “hybrid physical feelings.” He assures the reader that he will explain each term as he uses it (he’s particularly fond of the pair of opposites “apophatic” and “kataphatic”). But most of the terms he lists don’t reappear in the course of the book, which gives the feel of an unfulfilled promise.
I remain curious to learn more about process theology, since its fundamental understanding of God as one who develops and grows in interaction with the course of the universe appeals to me. I hope to find a better guide to help me come to terms with it, particularly one that contextualizes it in overall theological discussion of the twentieth century and is appropriately critical.
January 28, 2023
Just finished this wonderfully written resource with much to chew on… I wish I could go back and slip a copy to the younger me with the challenge that taking seriously the message of this theology will change your life in so many ways; that I need to read it with an open mind and heart.
So much about this theological perspective is appealing to me. (And the author does an impressive job of introducing us to numerous voices and perspectives to consider.) In brief, it’s not a piecemeal, compartmentalized notion of how to live a “purpose-driven life”; or watered down to “just-believe-in-the-right-things”; or presenting the disheartening vagaries of popularized Christian jargon that presents “God’s will” as some other-worldly, rather tortuous, Easter egg hunt.
It’s a call to the great adventure of creativity, beauty, meaningful experiences and loving relationships (all around us). It’s a spirituality that treasures the differences between us, makes room for us to see reality for what it truly is and looks to the open future with the response-ability to help our lives and communities line up more and more with Love’s dream of healthy connections.
Major props, Bruce, for gifting us with this work.
So much about this theological perspective is appealing to me. (And the author does an impressive job of introducing us to numerous voices and perspectives to consider.) In brief, it’s not a piecemeal, compartmentalized notion of how to live a “purpose-driven life”; or watered down to “just-believe-in-the-right-things”; or presenting the disheartening vagaries of popularized Christian jargon that presents “God’s will” as some other-worldly, rather tortuous, Easter egg hunt.
It’s a call to the great adventure of creativity, beauty, meaningful experiences and loving relationships (all around us). It’s a spirituality that treasures the differences between us, makes room for us to see reality for what it truly is and looks to the open future with the response-ability to help our lives and communities line up more and more with Love’s dream of healthy connections.
Major props, Bruce, for gifting us with this work.
November 15, 2024
Comprehensive and Understandable Presentation of Process Theology
Bruce Epperly, in his wonderful ability with prose; and knowledge and understanding of theology, has written a book that I could understand and learn from. Process theology is both intuitive and arcane. Epperly doesn’t gloss over the difficult parts—he makes them clear and easy to understand. A wonderful book.
Bruce Epperly, in his wonderful ability with prose; and knowledge and understanding of theology, has written a book that I could understand and learn from. Process theology is both intuitive and arcane. Epperly doesn’t gloss over the difficult parts—he makes them clear and easy to understand. A wonderful book.
March 18, 2021
A really fabulous introduction to Christian process theology. The highlight may be the chapter on The Human Adventure, though sections on the personal nature of God and on prayer are great as well.
June 8, 2022
As someone relatively new to process theology, I appreciated this relatively easy-to-understand guide to process thought.
September 6, 2014
I choose this book as my first venture into the world of Process Thought. If you are wanting an introduction to some of the basic theological tenets of PT this might not be the greatest. Bruce Epperly has constructed a "Christian" pantheistic worldview, with Process Thought as its foundation, so it has a distinctively "Christian" flavor. If you're curious as to how one may attempt to reconcile the Bible, Jesus, the Trinity, life after death, etc. with Process Thought, this book will interest you.
Disclaimer: Process Theology is also in process, therefore no one can guarantee that any of this book's theological observations will be relevant when you read this.
Disclaimer: Process Theology is also in process, therefore no one can guarantee that any of this book's theological observations will be relevant when you read this.
August 16, 2011
I would have liked to have rated this book higher but the rather sloppy production values made this a less enjoyable read than it should have been. Frequent typos and garbled syntax lead me to think that a cursory proofread was given before publication. In addition, I think there is probably better intros to process theology than this.
With that said, I did enjoy much of the book as I identify with much of process theology.
With that said, I did enjoy much of the book as I identify with much of process theology.
January 7, 2014
Process Theology can be a difficult subject to read about. Process authors can write in such dense Whiteheadian jargon that their work requires decoding. They are often guilty of writing about concepts anyone can understand while using language no one understands. This book is a worthwhile introduction to the subject written mostly in plain, clear language. If you need a foot-in-the-door intro to Process thought or an approachable refresher course, this is a good one.
September 3, 2011
If you are going to read one book on process theology, this is the one.
February 25, 2015
Started reading this today. I think Process Theology is a much better way to think about God than Classical Theism.....
May 8, 2016
Too much "pop religion" and not enough metaphysics. More of an intro to an intro for those without any philosophy background. Could still be useful to some.
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April 16, 2012My review can be found here: http://catholicbooksreview.org/2012/e...
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews