Thomas Oord - Reimagining the Divine After Omnipotence (N328)
Sep 10, 2024
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Thomas Oord, a theologian advocating for a radically loving but non-omnipotent God, shares his groundbreaking ideas on divine power. He discusses the implications of this view on creation, evolution, and suffering, challenging traditional beliefs about God's control. Tom reflects on his personal experiences, including a heresy trial over his LGBTQI+ affirming stance, and emphasizes hope without guarantees. The conversation dives deep into the nature of love, human agency, and the significance of compassion in faith, encouraging a fresh perspective on spirituality.
Tom Oord argues for a vision of God as radically loving and uncontrolling, reshaping perceptions of divine intervention and free will.
The concept of suffering is explored through the lens of a loving God who empathizes with human pain rather than imposing control over it.
Listeners are encouraged to redefine prayer as a cooperative relationship with God that opens possibilities for engagement rather than mere intervention.
Deep dives
Post-Festival Reflections
Joy discusses returning from the Greenbelt festival, expressing mixed feelings about her experience. She shares that while the event was overwhelmingly vibrant and disorienting, it ultimately leaned towards a positive outcome. Attending the festival presented a fantastic opportunity for her to connect with Nomad listeners and therapists in person, which she cherished. Joy highlights that engaging with a community and witnessing her children enjoy the event contributed significantly to her overall enjoyment.
The Nature of God and Love
The conversation shifts to a deep exploration of the nature of God, particularly focusing on the concepts of love and power. Tom Ord challenges traditional views of an all-powerful God, advocating instead for a model where God's love is inherently uncontrolling. He argues that genuine love does not impose control over others, allowing for a relationship that fosters mutual agency. This perspective raises significant questions about the problem of evil and invites listeners to reconsider how they perceive divine love and intervention.
Rethinking the Problem of Evil
Tom Ord articulates a fresh perspective on the problem of evil by stating that if God is genuinely loving, then God would not interfere with human free will. He suggests that the ability to love involves a relational dynamic that necessitates cooperation rather than control. This framework challenges listeners to reflect on how suffering coexists with a God who is loving and compassionate, further emphasizing that God operates through a process of continual creation and healing. The discussion suggests a hopeful engagement with faith that doesn’t shy away from the complex realities of existence.
Prayer and Human Experience
The episode delves into various models of prayer, with Tom proposing a cooperative relationship between God and humanity. He presents a fourth model wherein prayer is not only a way to connect with God but can also open new possibilities for divine action in the world. This perspective encourages a redefinition of prayer as a means of engaging with one another and with God, rather than merely seeking interventions. Listeners are prompted to consider how their actions and intentions could harmonize with a divine presence that involves itself in the ongoing journey of life.
God as a Fellow Sufferer
Tom underscores the concept of God as a fellow sufferer, proposing that God empathizes with human pain and hardship rather than controlling it. He highlights that God's love persists even in the face of suffering, demonstrating a profound connection and understanding of human experiences. This view offers comfort by portraying a God that deeply engages in the emotional and spiritual turmoil of humanity rather than standing apart. This relational dynamic reshapes the understanding of divine presence as profoundly supportive during challenging times.
Blurred Lines Between Faith and Meaning
Tim and Joy discuss the complexities of maintaining faith amidst experiences of doubt, emphasizing the desire for ultimate meaning in life. They express a shared longing for a relationship with a loving God that transcends traditional dogma, highlighting the challenges of letting go of old beliefs. This existential quest blends their life experiences and spiritual reflections, urging a deeper inquiry into the meaning of love, existence, and their ties to a higher power. Both hosts express hope for a loving presence tied to their journeys, navigating complexities within the landscape of faith.
Theologian Thomas Oord joins us again to explore a vision of God as radically loving but not omnipotent. We look at the implications of challenging this traditional notion of divine control and how it has reshaped Tom’s understanding of creation, evolution, suffering, liberation, the nature of God's power and the potential for hope without guarantees.
Throughout the conversation Tom reflects on how these ideas have shaped his life, including his recent experience of a heresy trial for his LGBTQI+ affirming stance. It’s a fascinating conversation about faith, suffering, and the enduring nature of love.
Following the interview Nomad hosts Joy Brooks and Tim Nash reflect on the conversation and ponder how Tom’s understanding of a loving who can’t control might shape their evolving faith.