Sheri D. Kling - Process & Faith, Oct 2024

 

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Recently I had open heart surgery and have been recovering these past several weeks. In lieu of my occasional essays I will provide readers with additional process resources which may be read here and then linked over to process websites for future readings and study along with my own here.

Below is the inter-religious process site, Process & Faith, tended by Sheri Kling, a process scholar and theologian. She has chosen to interlink the world's major religions to Whitehead's process philosophy and thereby bring a point of common ground between process Christianity (mainly Protestantism, but some Catholicism and Eastern Christian sects) with process Islam, process Buddhism, process Judaism, and so forth.

Too, Chad Bahl is a Facebook friend of mine whose latest work is being promoted this month on the Process & Faith website. Hence, I've included Chad's book and Youtube video herein.

As I recover I urge exploration of the sites I will share in the week(s) ahead. Mainly Jay McDaniel's writings which he has been airing out on Facebook. For my own ambition, I am thinking of relearning Whitehead's Process Philosophy and Cobb's Process Theology through Andrew Davis' insights which I'll share in time.

Further, I hope to begin piecing together how we should begin learning to read the bible  in a process-based evangelic which I'll call a process of post-evangelic, metamodern, and process theological cultural "eyes" and understanding.

Since I was raised as a fundamental Baptist and my training is in Reformed theology and evangelical Calvinism, recent "maga-shunning" ex-vangelicals might find comfort in my site as I explore pushing out the boundaries of my former faith via process theology. If I were to rewrite this site and my journey again, I think I might do it by way of writing process commentaries on the books of the bible just like theologians of old did via their own background and training. Perhaps in a year or so I might start this as I've been contemplating writing a commentary on the book of Colossians lately. We'll see.

Otherwise, I wish to tie together my many past hundreds of articles previous developed on the theme of Evolution and God with a final series on The Evolution of God and Religion. Much of it is charted out... I just have to put it all together.

As always, Relevancy22 tells of mine own journey out of traditional evangelic Calvinism through evangelical Arminianism into Open and Relational theology and finally, into Open and Relational PROCESS theology. Both of which Chad Bahl and Thomas Oord do assent by way of seeding process thought into evangelicalism by way of Oord's own version of Open and Relational thought reform.

Myself, I'm just going to state process theology outright - whether it's accepted by my past fellowship or not. I feel that the future of Christianity is dependent on process thought if it is to survive outside of the mythic and existential-subjectivism that it currently has lapsed into.

Christian processualism expands the Christian faith; recenters it into God's love and Christ Jesus alone (without the typical doctrainnaires of the Institutionalized Church); and expands the entire study of systematic theology from the Godhead through to Eternity.

Process Christianity proposes an Open Faith, and Open Future, and an Open Godhead, as I've explained over the years. It's now up to my readers to grasp the subject, learn the subject, and learn to speak it better than I have in the years ahead if it is to find any footing in the Christian faith.

Blessings,

R.E. Slater

October 24, 2024

Faith & Feeling: Process Pop-Up

by Process & Faith

88 views Oct 17, 2024 #theology #spirituality #faith

For both Schleiermacher and Whitehead, God is not “up there somewhere.” Rather, God is most readily found by looking inward, to where God is experienced.

In theological circles, German philosopher Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768–1834) may be best known for his text, On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers, his effort to defend religion from Enlightenment skeptics. He’s also been a subject of interest to process thinkers like Philip Clayton, Thandeka, and, more recently, Chad Bahl. In his doctoral research, Chad has been putting Schleirmacher’s thoughts on faith and feeling into conversation with the work of Alfred North Whitehead.

He has found that “In both process thought and Schleiermacher’s philosophy, the essence of existence is not lifeless matter or dogmatic precepts. Rather, it is lived experience. In this lived experience, we are interconnected both as human beings and in fellowship with the Divine.”

Schleiermacher is known for talking about faith as a feeling of “absolute dependence.” Resonant with Whitehead’s thinking about God’s aims for every actual event, Chad describes this as a “natural result of being in tune with our deepest intuitions. It arises from our recognition of the presence and purpose of God in our lives.” As we cultivate our awareness of God—through spiritual practices like contemplation—this feeling naturally arises as a kind of “God-consciousness” that is “developed as we experience community with others, fellowship with the Divine, interaction with nature, the Gospel story, and much more.”

While each of us may experience the Divine differently, it is this “personal perception, (not reason, dogma, or scientific proof), which serves as the centering principle for faith.” According to Chad, attuning to this interior faith and feeling is crucial to human life. “We become fully actualized human beings when we realize fellowship with the Divine in our experiences of both Creator and creation.”

About the Speaker:

Chad Bahl, DThM candidate at Northwind Theological Seminary, specializes in the study of Open and Relational Theology. Bahl is the author of God Unbound: An Evangelical Reconsiders Tradition in Search of Truth, the author/editor of Deconstructing Hell: Open and Relational Responses to the Doctrine of Eternal Conscious Torment, and, most recently, the author of Mornings with Schleiermacher: A Devotional Inspired by the Father of Modern Theology.

Process & Faith is a multi-faith network for relational spirituality and the common good. 

Support our work at https://processandfaith.org/give/

Join the Process & Faith community: https://processandfaith.org

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Greetings Russ, Every now and then, a sentence stops you in your tracks and makes you think, “those few words express so much!”    I found one of those in Chad Bahl’s latest book, Mornings with Schleiermacher, A Devotional Inspired by the Father of Modern Theology. Chad’s doctoral research has been focused on Friedrich Schleiermacher and Alfred North Whitehead, and Chad recently led a Process Pop-Up for us. In his book, he’s gathered up key nuggets on faith and presents them as daily devotions.   The theme of his ninth day is “Beauty and Peace.” He begins with Schleirmacher: “One can say that the distinguishing essence of Christianity exists not in action, but in rest… The highest human perfection is portrayed as rest in the contemplation of God and God’s self.” Chad then ties that to Whitehead on God’s vision for beauty and Jesus’ declaration of the peace he would leave with his followers.   But it’s Chad’s own sentence that captured me. He writes, “We are given Peace so that we can join God in the creation of Beauty.” Such a simple yet profound sentence.   I recently had the opportunity to hear Dr. Barbara Rossing, a New Testament professor at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, speak about the book of Revelation. (Her book The Rapture Exposed: The Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation is on this topic.) Dr. Rossing mentioned that she’d learned from a Hebrew scholar that a frequently appearing line in the book of Genesis most often translated as “And God saw that it was good,” could also be translated as “And God saw that it was beautiful.”   Maybe Beauty has been the point all along!   Whitehead suggests that the divine vision for Beauty is only finally achieved when the discordant elements that exist in such tension and suffering in the world pass or perish into the ever-enlarging consequent nature of God and are held and harmonized there into a greater whole with everlasting value. This may be what is meant by “the Peace of God that passes all [temporal] understanding.”   For Whitehead, this is the kingdom of heaven and the love of God for the world. This is the way that the particular sufferings of the world achieve peace. And those transformed conditions then become the redeemed possibilities that initiate every new moment of becoming and offer us our own pathway to Beauty.   As Whitehead describes it, “What is done in the world is transformed into a reality in heaven, and the reality in heaven passes back into the world.” Another beautiful turn of phrase.    May these and other sentences inspire you to create more beauty of your own in the world!   Relationally yours, Sheri D. Kling, Ph.D. Director Please consider making a donation to Process & Faith today Process and Presence: Explorations in Process Philosophy and Zen Buddhism Monthly on Tuesday, 4:00 - 5:00pm Pacific. 10/22, 11/26, 1/28, 2/25, 3/25 (skipping December).   Beginning October 22, this learning circle will have five monthly sessions. Led by Reverend Reirin Gumbel (resident priest, Milwaukee Zen Center) and Jay McDaniel (Chair, Center for Process Studies), this conversation will explore the synergies between Zen Buddhism and Process Philosophy, with a particular emphasis on Taoism as a foundational source for Zen. NOTE: Registration for this offering has filled, but you can email info@mkzen.org to be added to a waitlist. Subsequent sessions of this learning circle will be offered in the future. Online Workshop with Sheri Kling November 12 & 19, 7:00-8:30PM Eastern.   P&F director, Sheri Kling, is offering a two-session online workshop with Ilia Delio’s Center for Christogenesis (of Villanova University) in November. In the workshop, “Healing Our Collective Pain: Worldviews, Dreamwork, and Transformation,” Sheri will draw from the process thought of Alfred North Whitehead and the analytical psychology of Carl Gustav Jung as integrating resources to address the fragmentation of western culture. She’ll also introduce dream work as a spiritual practice for transformation.  Readings on Faiths Around the World: In the Beginning… Creativity Three Mondays, November 18, 25, and December 2. 8:30am Pacific / 10:30am Central.   In this learning circle, Terry Goddard will lead discussions on Gordon D. Kaufman’s In the Beginning… Creativity. In this little book Kaufman suggests a different way in which to conceive of God—as creativity.  In some ways his claim is not unlike that of Alfred North Whitehead.  Whitehead suggested creativity not as God but as the ultimate in the universe.  However, in many other ways Kaufman’s thought is very different as his book reveals. Interweavings: Sacred Practices, Dynamic Texts (NEW DATE) Wednesday, November 13, 5pm PDT/8pm EDT   How might ancient texts speak to us afresh today? Can pre–modern practices be revitalized and re-imagined to address modern concerns? Rabbi Leila Gal Berner and Sheri D. Kling strongly believe that there is still something life-giving in both ancient texts and pre-modern practices, and that both can be explored in dynamic ways while still being grounded in timeless wisdom. In this event, Rabbi Berner and Dr. Kling will share their own experiences with reshaping traditional practices to reawaken modern sensibilities to potentially transforming encounters with texts and with God. Renewing Faith Online Conference January 23-25, 2025   Process & Faith invites you on a sacred online journey to renew your faith and explore how we live into Christian process and open & relational theology together. During this multi-day online event, we’ll explore several core themes of Christian faith—not academically, but in “big conversations” and practices. Christian Process Explorations (Ongoing) Fourth Monday of every month, with Sheri Kling and Jay McDaniel 5:00 PM Pacific / 8:00 PM Eastern (Monday, October 28, November 25)   This Learning Circle focuses on the exploring, sharing, and practice of Christian process-relational theology, as relevant to all age groups: children, teenagers, adults, senior citizens. This Learning Circle is co-sponsored by the P&F Christian Path Group. Process & Faith on YouTube! We continue to add to our Process & Faith YouTube channel with recordings of our public offerings! Subscribe and enable notifications to stay updated with our latest releases! Here are the recordings of our latest events:  Faith and Feeling | Process Pop-Up Resources & Partner News Christian Lectionary Commentaries Process & Faith publishes lectionary commentaries for Christian clergy and faith communities, thanks to the leadership of Rev. Dr. Nichole Torbitzky, associate professor of religion at Lindenwood University who is coordinating the effort. You can access each week’s commentaries at this with the button below. The Center for Process Studies CALL FOR PAPERS: Is It Too Late?: Toward an Ecological Civilization   We are pleased to officially announce this call for papers for the “Is It Too Late?: Toward Ecological Civilization” conference, commemorating the centenary of eco-sage John B. Cobb Jr. This significant event will also mark a decade since our transformative 2015 “Seizing an Alternative” conference and the founding of the Institute for Ecological Civilization. Held in conjunction with the 18th International Forum on Ecological Civilization and the 7th International Youth Forum on Ecological Civilization, the conference will take place at Claremont School of Theology in Westwood, Los Angeles. The Living Earth Movement/Church for Our Common Home The Living Earth Movement is currently offering a free download of a PDF book by John B. Cobb, Jr. and Jeff Wells, entitled Is International Cooperation Possible? A Bold Appeal for a Living Earth.   The Living Earth Movement is a co-sponsor of the Church for Our Common Home, a community that meets in person (Dallas, OR) and online on Sundays at 4pm Pacific. They also offer Earth Crisis Support Groups and Potluck Parties in Oregon and New York. For Your Reading and Viewing Pleasure On the Web Process Theology in French!   A former student of John B. Cobb, Jr. and now Christian pastor in France, Rev. Roger Foehrle, has created a website about process theology in the French language, “Dieu pour nous -Théologie du Process.” Please share it with your French-speaking friends. The Importance of Happiness During Challenging Times   This month, we’d also like to share a new series of animated videos by Jewish creator Hanan Harchol on “The Importance of Happiness During Challenging Times.” In this three-part series, Hanan looks at happiness vs. pleasure, the importance of relationships, social media, disconnection and addiction, loneliness, and the choices we can make that will lead to happiness. There are links to all the videos below as well as to a study guide. New from SacraSage The Quest for Thin Places: How to Find Spirituality after Deconstruction   Religious deconstruction is not a linear process. We won’t one day “arrive” and figure it all out. There is no “end” to the deconstructing and reconstructing cycle. In this book, Dana Robert Hicks outlines a cyclical model of continuous deconstruction and reconstruction. The model helps facilitate the deepest longings of the human heart: the experiences of awe, wonder, and transcendence. Find it here. Beyond Fairy Tales: A Couple’s Guide to Finding Clarity, Doing the Work, and Building a Lasting Relationship   Let’s be real—love isn’t all roses, margaritas, and sunsets; it’s messy, complicated, and sometimes really hard. It’s not about chasing some perfect ending, but about ditching the fantasies, learning to love each other as you are, and doing the gritty, beautiful work of thriving together. Beyond Fairy Tales will show you how to make that journey a reality. Find it here. Why the Church of the Nazarene Should Be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming   A growing number of people are calling for fresh conversations about sexuality and gender. And many want fundamental change. This book gives voice to those people. There are strong reasons the Church of the Nazarene should become fully LGBTQ+ affirming. The writers of these essays – whether queer or straight – lay out those reasons, share their experiences, and explain why change is needed. Find it here. Community Found: A Process for Getting to Good Together   The stories in this book provide compelling evidence that community is the key to sustainability—our getting to good together. Discover what happens when a divided and left behind people experience community. Witness how a small dying town with a single story of pervasive decline and a draining economy restores life to themselves and their town, and in the process light a path towards shared goodness that others can follow. Find it here.