John Cobb

Paper Summary:

A discussion of God, process and the future as seen in John Cobb's "Early Process Theology". The paper explores John's Cobb's natural theology derived froma Whiteheadian process philosophy. It discusses in particular the nature and power of God and creation. The writer explains that process theology has as its foundational premise that everything in the universe is in process.

From the Paper:

"Process theology can be neatly summed up in the reported words of a Greek philosopher: "You cannot step into the same rivers; for fresh waters are ever flowing in upon you" (Heraclitus, b. ca 540 BC). Process theology has as its foundational premise that everything in the universe is in process. In fact, "to be actual is to be a process' (Cobb & Griffin, p.14). Every entity is a process in that it is a sequence of successive stages or events. Therefore in this system, process or experience of change is the starting point, rather than substance or being. The process thought of Alfred North Whitehead (1861-1947) is what Cobb has attempted to within the context of a Christian theology without reliance on tradition or creeds. Cobb has written many books delineating his own type of process natural theology and applying it to different questions, ranging from the more practical to the more metaphysical or theoretical. He believes that everyone operates out of some type of natural knowledge, some without admitting or realizing it. In his process theology God and creation are continually in process and though order and individuality exist through the Logos, creation is still a battlefield of influences as each entity chooses in each moment whether to follow God or not. The best way in my opinion to look at the problems associated with this theology is to attempt to understand the relationship between God and chaos (that which existed prior to there being "some-thing"). Firstly, Cobb's method and approach to theology will be looked at, especially in relation to Gilkey's review of A Christian Natural Theology, this is followed by a look at process theology as developed by Cobb, as a system or answer to questions about God, process and the future."

More papers on John Cobb:

• Book Review # 122206 : "Matters of Life and Death"
• Persuasive Essay # 133705 : "John Hancock's Historical Significance"
• Descriptive Essay # 74927 : "The Christology of the Gospel of John"

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