Process Theology & Religious Pluralism - With Bruce Epperly

A Grief Observed is a collection of C.S. Lewis's reflections on his experience of bereavement after the death of his wife, Joy Davidman, in 1960. The book explores the processes undergone by the human brain and mind during grief, questioning the nature of grief, faith, and theodicy. Lewis writes candidly about his anger and bewilderment towards God, his struggle to maintain his faith, and the gradual reacceptance of his theories on suffering. The book is compiled from four notebooks Lewis used to vent and explore his grief, offering profound insights into the human experience of loss and the search for meaning in the midst of suffering.

The Shack tells the story of Mackenzie Allen Phillips, a father of five, whose youngest daughter, Missy, is kidnapped and murdered during a family outing. Years later, Mack receives a mysterious note from 'Papa' (God) inviting him to the shack where Missy's body was found. There, Mack encounters three figures representing the Trinity: Papa (God the Father), Jesus, and Sarayu (the Holy Spirit). Through conversations with them, Mack gains a new understanding of God's love, forgiveness, and the reasons behind suffering and evil. The book explores themes of love, relationships, and the transformative power of redemption through forgiveness.

In 'The Problem of Pain', C.S. Lewis addresses the age-old question of how a good and all-powerful God can permit pain and suffering. Lewis argues that human suffering is a consequence of the existence of evil and free will, and that God uses suffering as a tool to draw us nearer to Him. He categorizes pain as both physical and emotional, serving as a warning signal that alerts us to potential harm and compels us to make necessary changes. Lewis also discusses the Fall of Man and how it led to chaos and disaster, emphasizing that God's goodness is not negated by suffering but rather evidenced through His merciful intervention. The book concludes by reassuring that God's wisdom is infinitely superior to ours and that pain eventually leads us back to a loving relationship with our Creator.

The book is divided into two sections: 'The Teachings' and 'A Structural Analysis'. It describes Castaneda's experiences with Don Juan Matus, a self-proclaimed Yaqui Indian Sorcerer, between 1960 and 1965. The narrative includes encounters with teaching spirits, divination, and transformations induced by the ingestion of peyote, jimson weed, and magic mushrooms. The book challenges traditional perceptions of reality, emphasizing the importance of shifting one's perception and consciousness to achieve true freedom. Despite its initial presentation as an anthropological work, it is now widely considered to be a work of fiction.