Homebrewed Christianity How Modern Metaphysics Killed God with John Cobb #FANiac
Feb 4, 2016
John Cobb, a leading philosopher and theologian in process theology, challenges the metaphysical assumptions that have shaped our understanding of God. He discusses how these assumptions have permeated both academia and the church. The conversation delves into the significance of the incarnation, prayer, and the evolution of God, urging listeners to rethink divine action. Cobb also emphasizes the interconnectedness of all entities and advocates for a compassionate, active engagement of faith in addressing modern global challenges.
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How Modern Metaphysics ‘Killed’ God
- Modern metaphysics (Descartes → Darwin) removed God as a causal explanation in nature and made God irrelevant to physical processes.
- That metaphysical shift forced belief into a powerless, non-intervening God unlike the biblical God.
Whitehead’s Event-Based Alternative
- Alfred North Whitehead offered an alternative metaphysics that treats events and relations as primary instead of inert substances.
- Whitehead's framework enables a coherent theological picture where God remains causally relevant without violating nature.
Vision vs Hearing In Western Thought
- Western philosophy privileges vision and static substance, while the Bible emphasizes hearing and events.
- Translating a story-oriented biblical world into a vision-oriented metaphysics distorts God's character and action.