Process Theology: Embracing Adventure with God

by Bruce G. Epperly

Process theology is considered a very complex and difficult to understand system. Is it possible to get a basic grasp of what it is and how it impacts our lives and service to others? In this brief, lively, and engaging book, Dr. Bruce Epperly untangles the difficult concepts of process theology and shows how we can envision a God who is in relation to us throughout our lives here and in the next world. He believes that "God is present at the moment of our conception, guides us through the adventures of this lifetime, urging us to rejoice in embodiment and bring healing to our world, and upon our final earthly breath receives us with open arms with visions of future adventures in communion with God and our fellow creatures." Not only is this theology easy to understand, but it also challenges us to live out God's adventure in with joy, sharing God's life with all of God's creatures. This book is an excellent introduction to process theology, useful for small groups or individual study, and includes a list of resources for further study.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality, Religion

41 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 15, 2014

Reviews

[Craig Bergland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Solid, Brief Intro

This book is a brief, but solid, introduction to process theology. For those who have been wondering what process theology is about, and for those who have never heard of process theology, this book brings to life an alternate view of Christian theology and is well worth the effort.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book takes less than an afternoon's thoughtful reading, and for me it was a fine introduction and review of process theology, as well as a quick look at its history and its luminary thinkers, both past writers such as Alfred North Whitehead, as well as present ones, like John Cobb. Bruce Epperly takes a very pastoral rather than a heavily theoretical approach to this relatively new field of theology, and the book is flavored with examples of pastoral encounters with suffering congregants or those struggling with their backgrounds in dogmatic religious traditions. He tells stories of people who have been helped by seeing "God" as he does: an intrinsic part of our universe and even ourselves, heavily dependent upon our puny though collective human efforts such as prayer or good deeds, always in the "process" of becoming something new and unforeseen, calling out to us to help accomplish the positive, hoped for but not guaranteed. This is in stark contrast with a more traditional, transcendent, omnipotent and all-foreseeing God for whom there is no mystery, and certainly very little interdependence with humans, because everything is known.

Epperly's perspective is necessarily Christian, with a heavy emphasis on Christ as the ultimate expression of God's process of "becoming" one with us in our full humanity. But he repeats several times that every expression of truth is ultimately from God, not just the Christian expression, and that truth like God, is universal and unitary. For me process theology is a very appealing way of reaching across a divide between church-going believers and secularists of a scientific bent who still intuit a spiritual dimension to their existence. As short, sweet and non-technical as the book is, it left me hungering for more. I will particularly be looking for writers and thinkers who apply process theology to Judaism, perhaps to Islam as well as Buddhism (where it may land very naturally, I imagine) and to scientific materialists with little or no religious commitments (which is where I think Whitehead himself started, and this represents a large part of today's Western world).

[Tina T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Process Theology: Embracing Adventure with God by Bruce G. Epperly is a refreshing and accessible entry point into a theological framework often regarded as intimidating and abstract. What makes this book stand out is Epperly’s ability to translate complex process thought into language that is both practical and spiritually engaging, without diluting its depth or significance.

Rather than presenting theology as a static system, Epperly invites readers into a living, relational vision of God one who is dynamically involved in every stage of human existence. His portrayal of God as present from conception, active in the unfolding of daily life, and welcoming us into future communion after death offers a hopeful and participatory spirituality. The emphasis on joy, embodiment, healing, and shared responsibility for the world makes this book especially compelling for readers who want theology to shape how they live and serve others.

[Baylor Heath · Rating 3 out of 5]

“God meets us in burning bushes and when we ask for God’s name, the Great Mystery responds, ‘I am what I am becoming.’”

I am becoming very compelled by process theology and this was a great little introduction to it. However, possibly by nature of its length, Epperly makes a lot of broad brush statements about how process theology approaches things without substantiating. I am already warmed up to the process approach, but a skeptic would find this book lacking, especially in biblical support. Also, the book could’ve used better editing. There are several sentences missing words and with strange syntax.

All in all, I liked this and Epperly. I’ll be checking out other books from this series.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

An brief into to a complex topic

Epperly offers a friendly and simple introduction to a complex form of theology. However Whitehead Process Thought and Theology offer a new way for both Christians and spiritual seekers to look at and understand the interplay of the Divine and humanity, as well as the planet.

[Lee Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Process Theology looks at God as not immutable and eternal, but as temporal and affect-able. It describes a God who is personal, who we can share a relationship with, and who cares about all living things. These are my own words, gleaned from the feelings Epperly’s work left me with.

I confess to feeling ungrounded through half of the book. I had not heard of Process Theology before, and it was ambiguous and difficult for me to pin down. Epperly’s approach is to prance around it in circles, poking it open here and there with a stick. Consequently, though I developed a sense for Process Theology, I never nail down a definition … and when I went in search of a definition through Google, I felt just as discombobulated. Had I trusted Epperly and let him continue his dance around the outside, I would have been better off. I would have slowly begun to grasp the point: that God is a partner with us in healing the world. God and the world are profoundly interdependent.

The result of this way of interacting with God is a vibrant, living faith that never turns stale. Process theology affirms that God still speaks to us today, that our understanding and growth continues with new revelation. Christians are not alone in sharing in the Divine. Wherever truth and healing are present, God is its source, and through respect for other religions, we can grow in spiritual wisdom. Epperly finds no contradiction here with John 14:6, which states that “no one comes to the father except through [Jesus].” Epperly’s revelation of “Christ” as a life-giving reality permeating multiple belief systems is refreshing, affirming pluralism and goodness.

I really enjoyed this book, and was left hungering for more. This is another Topical Line Drive booklet by Energion Publications, short and sweet–just 40 pages. I noted on the back cover that Epperly had previously authored a book titled Process Theology: A Guide for the Perplexed. If I can get my hands on a copy, I’ll let you all know what I learn.

Bruce Epperly is Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Continuing Education at Lancaster Theological Seminary, Pennsylvania, USA.

[Darin Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This brief overview captures the gist of process theology and can serve as reasonable introduction to its broad themes for the newcomer, but little beyond that. Epperly writes from a distinctly Christian perspective and it is hard to distinguish this book from many popular works on liberal, christian theology. He mentions in passing how process theology embraces and incorporates all traditions but does little to explain the ramifications of this openness. It is unfortunate that Epperly chose to write this book as a gloss of a very rich school of thought. His other works, especially "Process Theology: A Guide for the Complex" take a much deeper look while still remaining accessible.

[Sandy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good "primer" or introduction to process theology written in a very accessible manner.

[Joan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thin, lightweight and not in a good way, each chapter begins with an often trite Illustrative anecdote. The expositions that follow are mostly forgettable.