From Force to Persuasion: Process-Relational Perspectives on Power and the God of Love
Ebook
At the heart of process-relational theology in the tradition of Alfred North Whitehead (1861-1947) and Charles Hartshorne (1897-2000) is the rejection of coercive omnipotence and the embrace of divine persuasion as the patient and uncontrolling means by which God works with a truly self-creative world. According to Whitehead, Plato's conviction that God is a persuasive agency and not a coercive agency constitutes "one of the greatest intellectual discoveries in the history of religion." According to Hartshorne, omnipotence is a "theological mistake." What is behind these claims? Why do process-relational philosophers and theologians reject divine omnipotence? How have they justified a commitment to divine persuasion, and what kind of theoretical and practical implications are involved?
Featuring contributions from key process-relational thinkers, this book situates a shift "from force to persuasion" across multiple thresholds of discourse, from philosophy and theology to spirituality and politics to pluralism, axiology, and apocalypse. It aims to reawaken attention to the operations of divine persuasion as ever-loving and inherently noncoercive, but always at risk in an open and relational universe.
"From Force to Persuasion is a brilliantly woven collection of ideas from a diverse set of thinkers on the 'how,' 'why,' and 'so what' of divine power. These essays boldly assert God's power as a power of vulnerability, mutually held in the dynamic, co-creating relationship of God-world. What if we saw ourselves in solidarity with God, co-yearning for beauty, goodness, and love rather than subservient to some master plan? Read this book to join the movement of re-imaginers."
--Bonnie Rambob, co-editor of Partnering with God: Exploring Collaboration in Open and Relational Theology
"This book contains wisdom from different voices, yet they harmonize to offer us alternative visions to an authoritarian God in an authoritarian world. If the world is to tilt toward compassion, we must have an underlying philosophy and visionaries who see the possibilities. In a book dedicated to the memory of David Ray Griffin, we are assured that these explorations will continue to inspire us."
--Kathleen Reeves, director of spiritual care and bereavement, RIVA Hospice
"It is wonderful to see the continuing vitality of process philosophy and theology, as exemplified by this fine anthology. The wide-ranging essays in this volume do an excellent job of 'reawakening our attention to the operations of divine persuasion.' And as a long-time admirer of David Ray Griffin's work, I really appreciated the book's dedication to his memory."
--Steve McIntosh, author of The Presence of the Infinite: The Spiritual Experience of Beauty, Truth, and Goodness
- Title: From Force to Persuasion: Process-Relational Perspectives on Power and the God of Love
- Author: Andy Davis
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Print Publication Date: 2024
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666784442, 9781666784435, 1666784435, 9781666784428, 1666784427, 1666784443
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666784442
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-08-07T20:40:42Z