Process Theology

Definition

Process theology is a theological perspective that emphasizes the dynamic and evolving nature of God and the universe, suggesting that God is not immutable but rather changes in response to the experiences of creation. This view contrasts with traditional notions of divine attributes such as omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence, proposing instead that God's power is persuasive rather than coercive, thereby allowing for human free will and the unfolding of events in the world.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Process theology was heavily influenced by the philosophical ideas of Alfred North Whitehead, who proposed that reality is fundamentally characterized by change and relationality.
2. In process theology, God's omnipotence is redefined; rather than having unilateral control over events, God influences creation through persuasion and encouragement.
3. This perspective challenges traditional views on divine hiddenness by suggesting that God's presence can be understood as working through relational processes rather than through direct intervention.
4. Process theologians often argue that human suffering and evil can be better reconciled with a God who is not all-controlling but rather all-loving and responsive to creation.
5. The view encourages an understanding of prayer and worship as ways to engage with a God who is actively involved in the world and responsive to human needs and desires.

Review Questions

• How does process theology redefine traditional attributes of God, particularly in relation to divine power?
  • Process theology redefines divine power by proposing that God's omnipotence is not about exerting control over creation but instead about persuasion. In this view, God influences events by working within the relational dynamics of the universe, allowing for genuine human free will. This perspective highlights a more interactive relationship between God and creation, emphasizing a cooperative process rather than a unilateral divine decree.
• Discuss how process theology addresses the problem of divine hiddenness and its implications for understanding God's presence in the world.
  • Process theology addresses divine hiddenness by suggesting that God's presence is found within the relational experiences of creation rather than through overt manifestations. This means that while God may not always be directly visible or intervening in ways traditionally expected, God's influence is continually at work through relationships and processes. Thus, the hiddenness can be seen as part of a deeper engagement with creation, where God's responsiveness unfolds in less obvious but profound ways.
• Evaluate the implications of process theology for understanding human suffering and evil in relation to God's nature.
  • The implications of process theology for understanding human suffering and evil are significant because it posits a God who is not all-controlling but rather all-loving and responsive. This allows for a more compassionate understanding of why suffering exists; it suggests that while God desires good for creation, the freedom given to creatures means that they can make choices that lead to suffering. Consequently, God's role becomes one of empathy and support rather than direct intervention, thus reframing how believers might understand divine involvement in their struggles.

Related terms

Open Theism: A theological view that suggests God does not have exhaustive foreknowledge of future free actions, allowing for genuine human freedom and a responsive relationship with creation.

Divine Relationality: The concept that God is deeply involved in the relational dynamics of the universe, shaping and being shaped by interactions with creatures.

Panentheism: The belief that God is in everything and everything is in God, positing a relationship where the world is part of God's being but does not fully encompass it.