Two Forms of the Free Process Defense
One of the more interesting proposals for understanding God’s relation to evil in the natural world is the “free process defense.” Not many realize, however, this proposal comes in two forms. I affirm one not the other.
Polkinghorne’s Open and Relational Path
I’ve been thinking about the various paths Christians take to embracing open and relational theology. John Polkinghorne is among those for whom science led to open and relational themes. For Polkinghorne and many other science and religion scholars, it makes sense to say an open and relational God creates an open and relational universe. My […]
The Preeminence of Love in God
My version of open and relational theology says love is the preeminent attribute in God’s nature. As I read John Sanders’s work, he seems to think sovereignty precedes love in God’s nature.
Free Will in Philosophical Theology
The majority of great philosophers and theologians have believed in free will. Contemporary discussions of what free will is and how it might function, however, have not always been clear. In his new book, Free Will in Philosophical Theology, Kevin Timpe takes free will as his central concern to explore theological issues.
Evolution and the Freedom to Love
Contemporary theories in biology rely heavily upon the role of genetics. Genetic-oriented theories tend toward describing organisms as programmed or controlled by genes. If we want to affirm evolution and yet affirm the freedom to love, we must overcome the view our genes control us entirely.
John Wesley on Freedom
I’ve been thinking lately about the relationship between God’s love and creaturely freedom. Some people say we are free to do just about anything. Others don’t think we’re free in any genuine sense.
Open Theology and the Church of the Nazarene
Open theology has gained wide attention since the 1990s. It enjoys growing influence in the Church of the Nazarene.