Big God Questions: Aliens, Hope, the Cross, & Divine Hiddenness
Jan 28, 2021
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Thomas Jay Oord, a renowned theologian specializing in Open and Relational theology, tackles thought-provoking questions about faith and existence. They discuss the implications of extraterrestrial intelligence on theology, suggesting that faith can evolve and coexist harmoniously with diverse beliefs. Oord also challenges conventional views on Jesus' death, presenting it as a dynamic relationship with humanity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, hope, and inclusive dialogue in spiritual experiences.
Engaging with deep theological questions through community fosters diverse interpretations, as highlighted in the upcoming 'Becoming Christian' class.
The emergence of extraterrestrial life does not contradict the nature of God for open and relational theologians, suggesting divine involvement across creation.
Hope should arise from a collaborative relationship between divine engagement and human action, underscoring the importance of communal efforts.
Deep dives
Exploring Faith Questions
The episode discusses a variety of deep theological questions sent in by listeners, emphasizing the importance of community and conversation in exploring these topics. The hosts outline their upcoming course titled 'Becoming Christian', which aims to interpret the Apostle's Creed from an open and relational theological perspective. This perspective encourages reflection on God's nature, Jesus' role, and the implications of faith in today's context. The idea is to confront challenging aspects of traditional creeds while remaining open to diverse interpretations and understandings.
Extraterrestrial Life and Theology
The hosts address the intriguing question of how open and relational theologians would react to the discovery of extraterrestrial life with higher sentience than humans. They express the belief that the existence of such beings would not necessarily be surprising or contrary to their understanding of God. Instead, they suggest that an omnipresent God is likely to be engaged with all of creation, not just humanity, and may even find other beings that cooperate better with divine intentions. This insight leads to discussions about the broader implications of life beyond Earth and humanity's place in the universe.
The Future of Christianity
A listener questions the longevity of Christianity and what might follow after it. The hosts reflect on the potential evolution of religious beliefs and practices as humanity progresses, referencing historical ideas from thinkers like Schleiermacher. They argue that Christianity, while significant, is not bound to last forever and may transform or be surpassed by other forms of spiritual expression. Yet, they highlight that core values such as love and relationality—central to the Christian faith—will endure regardless of the specific religious context.
The Significance of Jesus' Life
A question arises about how to emphasize Jesus' unique role within Christianity without diminishing the validity of other religious traditions. The hosts navigate this delicate topic by suggesting that personal faith experiences can coexist with respect for other beliefs. They argue that emphasizing one's relationship with Jesus does not inherently negate the integrity of others' faiths. Instead, it is about individual commitment while acknowledging the diversity of spiritual experiences across different traditions.
Finding Hope in the Present
A poignant question regarding where to find hope amidst societal challenges leads to a discussion about the nature of hope from an open and relational theological view. The hosts emphasize that hope should not be seen as entirely dependent on divine intervention or solely human efforts but rather a combination of both. They point to the importance of community engagement and collective actions that reflect love and kindness as sources of hope. This perspective encourages listeners to recognize the ongoing presence of divine love in everyday interactions and challenges.
In this Big God Questions live stream Thomas Jay Oord joins me to tackle a stack of questions people just like yourself sent in. If you enjoyed this, then you should click on to OpenAndRelationalTheology.com and join our upcoming class Becoming Christian. In the class we will be going line by line through the ancient Apostles' Creed from an Open and Relational perspective. It is a 'pay-what-you-can' class, so there's no need to miss out for financial reasons.