Tom Oord: How to Believe in God and Love After Tragedy and Abuse
Mar 25, 2025
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Tom Oord, a prominent theologian and author, discusses the transformative power of open and relational theology in the face of tragedy and abuse. He explores how understanding God's love can reshape our views on suffering and evil. Through personal anecdotes, he delves into the complexities of divine influence and human freedom. Oord emphasizes the significance of compassionate support in trauma healing and the nuanced relationship between miracles and human agency. His insights challenge conventional beliefs while promoting a deeper understanding of faith and love.
Tom Oord discusses open and relational theology as a framework for fostering trust in God amidst tragedy and suffering.
The podcast redefines God's nature as one of uncontrolling love, emphasizing that true love requires freedom of choice and cannot involve coercion.
Prayer is transformed into a participatory act of partnership with God, encouraging intentional actions that contribute to healing and community flourishing.
Deep dives
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Building Christian Spirituality
The podcast emphasizes developing a Christian spirituality grounded in love, aiming to foster a resilient faith that can be practiced in everyday life. Engaging conversations are held between the hosts and guests, who share insights from their personal experiences, literature, and workshops attended. The discussions often revolve around practical recommendations, such as participating in community events, workshops, and impactful talks by influential speakers. Through these interactions, listeners are encouraged to deepen their faith and embrace love as a core principle in their spiritual journey.
Wrestling with the Problem of Evil
A key focus in the conversation is the exploration of the problem of evil, particularly how it intersects with the concepts of divine love and free will. The guest, Dr. Thomas Ord, shares his perspective on why God does not intervene to prevent evil and suffering, proposing that God's nature is one of uncontrolling love. This view presents a nuanced understanding, differing from traditional beliefs that depict God as an omnipotent being who simply allows suffering for mysterious reasons. By acknowledging the reality of evil while maintaining faith in God's love, the discussion offers a pathway toward understanding and healing in the face of adversity.
Understanding God's Nature: Love Over Control
The podcast discusses the implications of viewing God as a being defined by love rather than control, leading to a more profound understanding of divine attributes. Dr. Ord argues that a loving God cannot exert control over human actions, suggesting that true love requires freedom of choice. This perspective reframes the relationship between God and humanity, emphasizing that God's inability to control is not a limitation but an expression of love. The conversation encourages listeners to reflect on their personal relationship with God, framing it as one that seeks cooperation rather than coercion.
The Power of Prayer and Participation
Prayer is redefined within the context of uncontrolling love, shifting its purpose from merely petitioning God to a form of active participation in divine work. The hosts discuss how prayer can serve as a medium for communion with God and a way to align oneself with God's intentions for the world. Emphasizing that prayer can catalyze change, they highlight the importance of intentional actions that contribute to healing and flourishing in life. This transformative understanding of prayer fosters a sense of partnership between individuals and God, encouraging listeners to embrace their role in enacting love in their communities.
Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. Oord is a best-selling and award-winning author, having written or edited more than thirty books. Academic Influence ranks him among the most influential theologians in the 21st century. Oord directs doctoral programs at Northwind Theological Seminary and directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology. He is known for his research and writing on love, open and relational theology, science and religion, evil and power, and the implications of freedom and relationships for transformation.
