The Amipotent God is Neither Externally Nor Voluntarily Limited
In my systematic theology of love, I argue that believers should reject the idea God is omnipotent. They should embrace the notion that God’s power is uncontrolliong love. I call this “amipotence:” ami=love; potence=power. The amipotent view stands between two adjacent concepts of divine power. SECOND ALTERNATIVE TO AMIPOTENCE One concept says God’s power is […]
Introducing Gino-Theology
In a recently published Substack essay, I looked at arguments for and against saying God is a being. I propose a new way to think about God I call “gino-theology.” In that Substack essay, I argued that we best think of God as an everlastingly becoming Spirit. That’s gino-theology. By “becoming,” I mean the Spirit […]
Is the World Eternal? Does it Predate God?
For more than a decade, I’ve argued that theists should reject the idea God creates something from nothing (creatio ex nihilo). I often explain why and offer an alternative view of God’s creating: creatio ex creatione sempiternalis in amore. You can find my arguments in the recently published T&T Clark Handbook on Suffering and the […]
The Story Behind Pluriform Love
I’ve written a book that ties together many of my primary thoughts about God and love. It’s called Pluriform Love: An Open and Relational Theology of Well-Being. The preface of Pluriform Love gives the background story to its writing. And it provides a taste of some of the book’s primary ideas. I thought I’d share […]
Partnering with God
I’m happy to announce the publication of a new book, Partnering with God: Collaboration in Open and Relational Theology! The title itself will strike some readers as audacious. After all, who can really claim to “partner with God”?! Partnering with God answers that question by claiming collaboration with the divine is a real possibility! Seventy-seven […]
Who is Open and Relational?
For several decades, I’ve opted to identify a few basic ideas that comprise the umbrella I call “open and relational theology.” Under that umbrella stand many people, movements, and claims. I’ve described this theology in my new book, Open and Relational Theology: An Introduction to Life-Changing Ideas. It will be available this summer. Open […]
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, […]
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 […]
Can an Uncontrolling God Do Miracles?
Readers of my book God Can’t appreciate that an uncontrolling God neither causes nor allows evil. But many assume this God cannot do miracles. Not so fast! In my book, Questions and Answers for God Can’t, I devote a chapter to answering the question: “If God is uncontrolling, how do we explain miracles?” This blog […]
Why Petition a God Who Can’t Control?
Most readers of my book God Can’t appreciate the idea God neither causes nor allows evil. An uncontrolling God of love is not blameworthy. But many wonder what a “God Can’t” view means for understanding petitionary prayer. In my followup book, Questions and Answers for God Can’t, I offer an answer. In fact, I devote […]