Process Theology: God's Changing Nature
AQA A Level Religious Studies Year 13 Revision Lesson 60 minutes
Do Now: Quick Recall
What can you remember about Situation Ethics? Explain Paley's watch analogy Define PINT (Religious Experience) What is the main guiding principle in Situation Ethics?
What is Process Theology?
God and the universe are both in constant flux and change Revealed through quantum mechanics and modern science Human knowledge of God must be progressing We cannot have absolute knowledge of God Challenges traditional concepts of divine immutability
David Ray Griffin: Key Figure
Retired American professor of philosophy of religion Founded the Center for Process Studies in 1973 Major critic of traditional creation doctrine Developed panentheistic understanding of God-world relationship Influenced by Alfred North Whitehead's process philosophy
Griffin's Challenge to Genesis
{"left":"Traditional Translation: 'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth'\nGriffin's Translation: 'When God began to create the heavens and the earth'\nImplies God worked with pre-existing chaotic matter","right":"Challenges creation ex nihilo (out of nothing)\nSuggests God as organizer rather than absolute creator\nMatter has some independence from God's will"}
Rejection of Divine Omnipotence
God cannot be all-powerful if matter can resist God's will Chaotic matter has some independence God works through persuasion, not coercion Evil exists because God cannot eliminate it completely God experiences all suffering and evil within the universe
Panentheism: God in All
'The universe exists within God and God exists within the universe' God is the soul of the universe God experiences literally everything that happens Different from pantheism - God is more than the universe
God's Method: Persuasion Over Time
God cannot force change - only persuade Works over long periods of time Persuades chaotic matter into more complex forms From electrons and atoms to molecules From simple to complex life forms Explains evolutionary development
Revision Activity: Compare and Contrast
Create a table comparing Classical Theism vs Process Theology Include: God's power, relationship to time, response to evil, creation method Work in pairs for 8 minutes Be ready to share one key difference
Strengths of Process Theology
Addresses the problem of evil more satisfactorily Compatible with modern scientific understanding Makes God more relatable and empathetic Explains why prayers aren't always answered Provides framework for understanding evolution Avoids making God responsible for natural disasters
Criticisms of Process Theology
Undermines traditional Christian doctrine Questions God's sovereignty and ultimate control May not provide sufficient basis for worship Conflicts with biblical portrayal of God's power Could lead to religious relativism Challenges hope for ultimate justice
15 Mark Exam Question
'Process Theology provides a more convincing understanding of God than classical theism.' Evaluate this view. You have 25 minutes Remember: AO1 (knowledge) + AO2 (evaluation) Use specific examples and scholars