Life (and God) is Like a Movie
My new book introduces open and relational theology to the general public. The manuscript is currently in the review stage. But here’s an excerpt to give you a taste! TIME Before the digital age, movie-makers shot movies on film. A filmstrip comprising single images moved rapidly through a projector’s light beam. Although images were static, […]
God as Emotional Friend
“God experiences emotions.” Open and relational theologians believe this statement is true. But it carries baggage. What do they mean by it? I’m nearly finished writing a book introducing open and relational theology. I write in an accessible way and explain the basic ideas. It should help both newbies and vets to identify the core […]
Why We Embrace Open and Relational Theology
I’m writing a book introducing open and relational theology. It’s aimed at the general public and for use in classrooms, small groups, and personal enrichment. Early in the book, I list reasons people are attracted to open and relational theology. Many of the reasons come from posts on social media. Whole books have been written […]
Is Progress Possible?
The idea life could get better strikes some as naïve. It’s easy to lose hope in a pandemic and amid political strife. Pessimists Some people point to the pandemic, wars, ecological disasters, political elections, racial injustice, and more that’s wrong in the world. To them, it’s absurd to think things could get better. The world […]
Open Theism and Divine Limitations
In his book The Future of Open Theism: From Antecedents to Opportunities (IVP Academic 2020), Richard Rice does a myriad of helpful things. He reports on the origins of open theology, describes contemporary debates among open theists, and looks at where open theism might move in the future. Rice rightly calls openness theology a “paradigm […]
All Will Eventually Cooperate with God
In a series of essays on this website and in books, I’ve argued that God requires creaturely cooperation for love finally to win. To put it another way, the ultimate victory of good over evil requires creatures to cooperate with God. I’m not saying God alone will right all wrongs and bring about universal salvation. […]
A Thanksgiving Prayer to an Uncontrolling God
The uncontrolling love view has positive implications for prayer at Thanksgiving. Thanking an uncontrolling God makes a lot of sense. Thanking a controlling God doesn’t. Each November, Americans gather to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Words of thanks sometimes enter the public news or get expressed at civic gatherings too. It’s natural to wonder, “What do […]
Does Jesus Influence Today?
In his ground-breaking book, Divine Self-Investment: An Open and Relational Constructive Christology, Tripp Fuller offers exciting proposals for making sense of Jesus in the 21st Century. I previously offered an overview of Fuller’s key ideas. That essay and this are part of my response to Fuller’s book at the upcoming Christ Among the Disciplines online […]
Tripp Fuller’s Open and Relational Christology
Tripp Fuller’s book Divine Self-Investment: an Open and Relational Constructive Christology makes an important contribution to understanding Jesus of Nazareth. In this essay, I summarize Fuller’s book. I show how he affirms Jesus as a special expression of divine self-investment. As one who joins Fuller in embracing an open and relational theological vision, I am […]
Did God Resurrect Jesus Singlehandedly?
In books and articles, I’ve argued authentic miracles never involve God’s action alone. Miracles require God and creation. But is this true of Jesus’ resurrection? Many Christians think Jesus’ resurrection the most important miracle of all. The biblical writers say “God raised Jesus from the dead” (Acts 4:10; 5:30; 1 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 1:20; Heb. […]