Process Theology: An Introductory Exposition

by John B. Cobb Jr., David Ray Griffin

Process Theology is an introductory exposition of the theological movement that has been strongly influenced by the philosophies of Alfred North Whitehead and Charles Hartshorne. It offers an interpretation of the basic concepts of process philosophy and outlines a "process theology" that will be especially useful for students of theology, teachers of courses in contemporary philosophy, ministers, and those interested in current theological and philosophical trends.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, Metaphysics, Spirituality

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

John Boswell Cobb Jr. was an American theologian, philosopher, and environmentalist. Cobb was regarded as a preeminent scholar in the field of process philosophy and process theology, the school of thought associated with the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. He was the author of more than fifty books. In 2014, Cobb was elected to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides nothing less than a whole new matrix through which to see the world, and new possibilities from which to live and love in the world. And, most importantly, the concept of God as Creative-Responsive Love (not Controlling Power), of the future as truly open (not predetermined by divine fiat), of the Earth as filled with subjects (not objects), and of the self as a community-experience (not an individual agent) will make the reader more gracious, more considerate, and more prone to fulfilling of his or her purpose.

[E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wrote my dissertation on Whitehead and read extensively in process philosophy while in graduate school. I had never read this standard text in process theology.

When, in conversation, people have asked about process theology, I have often said that I'm a process philosopher and not a process theologian, that I haven't read the major works in that school of theology, and that theologically my concerns and major influences have been different -- Yoder, Hauerwas, Cone, Moltmann, McClendon, etc. The metaphysical issues in theology don't interest me that much (though recently they've started coming around again); it is generally the ethical and political issues that have animated me for the last decade or so. I felt like I figured out all the core metaphysical issues back in my 20s.

And that's when I was deep into process stuff, so, yes, I do have a process approach to these theological questions, but one that I didn't work out while reading process theology.

Process philosophy has deeply influenced my approach to ministry, and I feel that pastors ultimately work their theology out in a dialogue between what they are reading and the lived experiences of their congregation. Adventure and journey metaphors, the open future, our role as co-creators, are all central components to my theologically thinking (influences from liberation theology are independent of these).

Cobb & Griffin's book is a nice introduction. A little dated now. And their particular concerns aren't always those of other process thinkers -- they admit as much. Better introductions to Whitehead's thought exist, and I can imagine a better introduction for the lay reader to some key topics in process theology.

One thing that did strike me when reading the book is how process theology became so dominant for a period that pretty much everyone I know thinks in ways influenced by it, even if they are not aware of it.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read on the subjects of Process Theology, specifically, and Process Philosophy, more generally - not including, generously, Rev. John Polkinghorne, who does not claim to be a Process Theologian, anyway. I admit I have a long way to go, but this book has certainly sparked my interest to delve deeper. It was not an easy read. I recommend that despite the title this is not for a beginning reader of philosophy and theology. This book does, however, do a very good job at justifying its premise: the concept of a God is justifiable and reasonable, when limited in scope to being the ultimate source of all "creative potentiality." And, most importantly I think, the book touches upon what may be the ultimate hope, which traditional Christianity has barely articulated with any deep understanding until Whitehead: we each have "everlasting" meaning because once we choose to participate in God, we have participated in indelibly imprinting ourselves "forever" upon all of Creation through Him. Or, as Whitehead puts it, “The many become one, and are increased by one.”

[kamila gutierrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished it over spring break and really surprised I did so because I am so tired. It was a good overview of process theology and I have a lot of ideas for my paper now!

[Eli Randolph · Rating 1 out of 5]

no

[Daniel Crouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Process Theology delivers much of the merit of open theism with all of the pitfalls of Whitehead's philosophy. This book, specifically, is accessible and worth the read if you're interested in this way of thinking.

[Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to this field of theology as it existed in the 1970's. While I'll have to read some more recent works in the area, I felt as if some of the most important points were covered. I felt that concepts of creativity, Christology, peace, and evil were handled particularly well.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

TWO PROMINENT THEOLOGIANS EXPLAIN THE PHILOSOPHY OF WHITEHEAD AND HARTSHORNE

Retired theologians and philosophers John B. Cobb and David Ray Griffin (who has more recently become well-known for his views on 9/11: e.g., Debunking 9/11 Debunking) wrote in the Foreword to this 1976 book, "This book is an introductory exposition of the theological movement that has been strongly influenced by the philosophies of Alfred North Whitehead and Charles Hartshorne... Process theology speaks about God. Whitehead and Hartshorne have both used the word 'God' frequently and without embarrassment. However, they have been conscious that what they have meant by the term is philosophically and religiously opposed to much that has been meant by 'God' in metaphysical, theological, and popular notions...

"In the present book we have, besides explicating some of Whitehead's basic ideas, simply spelled out our own views. For this reason we have not called this 'an introduction to process theology' but 'an introductory exposition.'" (Pg. 7-8, 10)

They point out, "Whitehead's analysis of basic features of reality has religious implications congenial to Christian faith." (Pg. 30) They add, "We have faith in the continued fruitfulness of returning to the first accounts of and reactions to Jesus' life for new insights because of the repeated fruitfulness on this return in the past... The present book is based upon the conviction that a return to Jesus for inspiration is still fruitful." (Pg. 40)

They note, "Process theology sees God's fundamental aim to be the promotion of the creatures' own enjoyment. God's creative influence upon them is loving, because it aims at promoting that which the creatures experience as intrinsically good. Since God is not in complete control, the divine love is not contradicted by the great amount of intrinsic evil, or 'disenjoyment,' in the world. The creatures in part create both themselves and their successors." (Pg. 56)

They assert, "Process theology also says that God is responsible for evil but not indictable for it... it does not deny that there is genuine evil... there are events that would have been better otherwise, all things considered... other events could have occurred then and there that would have been better. This is one of those universal convictions to which any philosophy or theology must be adequate if it is to be acceptable.

"Process theology distinguishes between divine responsibility and blameworthiness ... [because] the power of God is persuasive, not controlling. Finite actualities can fail to conform to the divine aims for them... evil is not necessary. But the possibility for the deviation is necessary; hence the possibility of evil is necessary." (Pg. 69)

They continue, "God did not bring about creatures such as us ... simply because freedom is in itself a great value, but because beings capable of the values we enjoy must necessarily have these other capacities. The question as to why God did not make sinless robots does not arise. God is partly responsible for what we normally call evil... Had God not led the realm of finitude out of chaos into a cosmos that includes life, nothing worthy of the term 'suffering' would occur...

"God is responsible for these evils in the sense of having encouraged the world in the direction that made these evils possible... Hence, the question... reduces to the question as to whether the positive values enjoyed by the higher forms of actuality are worth the risk of the negative values, the sufferings. (Pg. 74-75)

They argue, "Process theism... cannot provide the assurance that God's will is always done. It does affirm that, no matter how great the evil in the world, God acts persuasively upon the wreckage to bring from it whatever good is possible...God does not act ex machina to prevent the consequences of destructive human acts. Critics object that a being not able to guarantee a favorable outcome to the process does not have the sort of power that is essential to deity... The future is open and we are free because of God. The power to open the future and give us freedom is a greater power than the supposed power of absolute control, for a power effective over free beings is a far greater power than what would be involved in the manipulation of robots." (Pg. 118-119)

This book---while, under its own terms, is not an "introduction" to process theology, exactly---is nevertheless a very helpful resource for anyone wanting to know more about this complex theology and philosophy.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read about the depiction of Whitehead conception of God and its link to Christianity. It is full of beautiful insights about how most of classical theology can be mistaken and how faith, and thus our lives, should or could be lived.
It is then in no way only about theology, it is also a deeply philosophical and political book.

[John Wessels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very grateful for this book. I learnt so much. An excellent introduction.

[Ben Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Frankly, this book verges on incoherence. It is also simply incompatible with biblical Christianity.

[Aaron Lewis · Rating 1 out of 5]

🤡

[Trinki Brueckner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenging. I think Process Theology is the precursor to Constructive Theology. Both are what I'd call liberal theology. I should probably read it again.

[Brady Graves]

For PhD seminar — I’ll include my actual review later, but tldr: heterodox deconstructionist nonsense.

[John Roberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to Process Theology.

[Larry Branch · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have a Process Meetup group in DC and we are using this book. Please join us.

[Bfleegs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Highly philosophical and difficult to read for me as a non-philosophy student. However, it was helpful for me to understand this theological system.