Process Theology: An Introductory Exposition [Paperback]

John B. Cobb Jr. (Author), David Ray Griffin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1996

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John B. Cobb Jr. has held many positions including Ingraham Professor of Theology at the Claremont School of Theology, Avery Professor at the Claremont Graduate School, Fullbright Professor at the University of Mainz, and Visiting Professor at Vanderbilt, Harvard, and Chicago Divinity Schools. His writings include Christ in a Pluralistic Age: God and the World; and, with coauthor Herman Daly, For the Common Good, which was cowinner of the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order.

David Ray Griffin is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Theology at Claremont School of Theology, Professor Emeritus of Religion at Claremont Graduate University, and Co-Founder of the Center for Process Studies. He is the author of Two Great Truths: A New Synthesis of Scientific Naturalism and Christian Faith, and coauthor, with John B. Cobb Jr., of Process Theology: An Introductory Exposition. Author of numerous books in philosophy of religion, he has also published two popular books on the World Trade Center attacks: The New Pearl Harbor: Distubing Questions About the Bush Administration and 9/11 and The 9/11 Commission Report: Omissions and Distortions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664247431
• ISBN-13: 978-0664247430
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,424 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In the process of becoming..., January 14, 2004

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Process Theology: An Introductory Exposition (Paperback)

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.

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Still a good book after 25 years, December 25, 2000

By 

E. M. Dale (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Process Theology: An Introductory Exposition (Paperback)

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 interesting use of process thought in the area of eschatology. All in all, a benchmark text in the field of process theology, and even where it is dated, it still speaks. God Christ Church is another good example of a popular introduction to process theology.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the first books you should buy on Process Thought, September 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Process Theology: An Introductory Exposition (Paperback)

This book was a great help during college while majoring in Religion. Great reference tool for your research. Not easy reading, however. You will find yourself re-reading paragraphs now and then, but once you grasp it, you will have a challenging time criticizing it whether you are a traditional God believer or a free-form spiritualist. Quite compatible with most monotheistic religions, in my opinion.