What is Process Theology? Let Monica A. Coleman Tell You!
Apr 27, 2012
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Monica A. Coleman, an Associate Professor of Constructive Theology and African American Religions, dives into the world of Process Theology. She emphasizes the accessibility of this theological framework and its relevance to personal agency and divine response. Coleman challenges traditional views of sin and highlights the emotional toll on both humans and God. She discusses creative transformation, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the community's agency in fostering justice, offering fresh insights into faith that engage the listener's understanding of existence and relationality.
Monica A. Coleman describes process theology as a transformative view of God, emphasizing divine change and responsive evolution with creation.
The theology highlights the interconnectedness of individual actions, illustrating how personal choices ripple through the community and divine relationship.
Coleman presents God's persuasive power as a means of encouraging moral decision-making, fostering genuine freedom and collaboration between humanity and the divine.
Deep dives
Introduction to Process Theology
Monica A. Coleman introduces process theology as a transformative perspective for understanding God and existence. This theology posits that God is intricately involved in the world and experiences everything alongside creation, emphasizing that God's nature is characterized by change and responsiveness. For instance, Coleman highlights the idea that God 'grows' and evolves based on the experiences and choices of humanity and the world at large. This notion invites individuals to recognize their agency in shaping the future and their environment through conscious choices, which leads to a deeper relationship with the divine.
Interconnectedness and Decision-Making
The concept of interrelatedness is central in process theology, illustrating how individual actions influence the wider community and the divine itself. The choices made by each person resonate across the network of existence, reinforcing the idea that decisions can contribute positively or negatively to the common good. Coleman uses the metaphor of an amoeba's movement to describe how individuals can choose their paths, highlighting the importance of conscious decision-making. This theology emphasizes that every action has a ripple effect, influencing not just oneself but also the relationships and connections that comprise the collective experience.
God's Responsive Power
In process theology, God's power is characterized as persuasive rather than authoritative, marking a departure from traditional views of divine intervention. Coleman explains this through relatable analogies, such as a parent encouraging a child to maintain a clean room not through coercion, but by communicating the benefits of such actions. This persuasive nature of God’s power allows for genuine freedom of choice among creation, where each individual can choose to align with divine calling or not. Consequently, the relationship with God is dynamic, fostering an ongoing collaboration between the divine and humanity while emphasizing the importance of personal agency in moral and ethical decision-making.
Eschatology and Creative Transformation
Coleman discusses eschatological vision within process theology, which breaks from conventional views of an afterlife to focus on 'creative transformation' in the present. This perspective suggests that what occurs in this life is significant and contributes to a shared vision of the future, encouraging communities to strive for justice and love as embodied by Jesus. The idea posits that individuals should work towards embodying the values of the kingdom of God here and now, adhering to principles of equity and communal well-being. By highlighting a living, evolving relationship with God, this theology inspires individuals to engage in social and personal transformations, moving towards a more just and loving world.
Honor of Ancestors and Community
A significant aspect of the conversation involves the honoring of ancestors and how this practice aligns with process theology. Coleman asserts the richness of African American traditions, which emphasize the importance of ancestral memory and the continuity of relationships beyond death. By recognizing ancestors, communities can foster connection and continuity, allowing previous experiences to inform present values and social conscience. This approach encourages individuals to draw wisdom from the past while actively engaging in the present, establishing a link that enhances both spiritual and communal identities.
Today the Emergent Village Theological Conversation on Process Theology comes to you! This is audio from Session One where we introduced Process Theology. Monica A. Coleman is Assc. Professor of Constructive Theology and African American Religions at Claremont School of Theology and is your guide into Process Theology! She is the author of Making a Way Out of No Way: A Womanist Theology (Innovations: African American Religious Thought), The Dinah Project: A Handbook for Congregational Response to Sexual Violence, and a contributor to the newCreating Women’s Theology: A Movement Engaging Process Thought. There are a couple videos from the EVTC from Monica. She discusses Life After Death & Creative Transformation. Check them out and share them! You can follow her blog and all the other media projects that she does at http://monicaacoleman.com/. She is indeed a master tweeter and Patheos Progressive Christian Blogger. * SUPPORT the podcast by just getting anything on AMAZON through THIS LINK.We really appreciate your assistance in covering all the hosting fees which went up 20 bucks a month due to the growing Deaconate! [caption id="attachment_7833" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Click To Subscribe in iTunes...this SHOW is going SOLO!!!"][/caption] [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="189" caption="One Click to the Homebrewed Hotline!"][/caption]
