C12. Process Theology: A New Way of Looking at God and the World

Process theology offers a new way of looking at God and the world, rejecting traditional categories and concepts. Based on the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead, one of the most original thinkers of the twentieth century, it emphasizes process or becoming as the basic reality rather than substance or being. Not just momentary actualities, but even God is part of this ongoing process of creativity that characterizes the concrete world. Process theology rejects traditional views of divine omnipotence, omniscience, and impassibility, as well as images of God as Cosmic Moralist, Controlling Power, and Sanctioner of the Status Quo. As such, it presents a view of God that many find more appealing than the classical view of God.

Optional Reading: Process Theology: An Introductory Exposition; John B. Cobb, Jr. and David  Ray Griffin,  Westminster Press (1976),   ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0664247431 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0664247430

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Rev. Dr. Gary Shahinian earned a Ph.D. degree in Philosophy from the Free University of Amsterdam, Netherlands. He wrote his doctoral dissertation on the problem of evil in the thought of Alfred North Whitehead, the father of Process Philosophy. He wrote his Master’s Thesis on the problem of evil in the thought of David Griffin, a leading contemporary process theologian. He has taught philosophy and theology courses at Redeemer College in Ontario, Dordt College in Iowa, and Worcester State University.