Friday's thoughts

Alfred North Whitehead is a Process Theologian. He sees God in the matrix of the natural world. He believes God is the call to adventure. He is convinced God is a part of the world that is helping us move toward a better world, and part of the forces that are at work in our lives helping us move toward becoming better people.

I am suggesting that Whitehead followed three forces in his life:

1. He followed the logic of the mind. He thought religion ought to be informed by reason. He was taken by the structures of the natural world; the intricate patterns in the universe; the working out of predictable equations. He followed the logic of the mind and he thought religion need not be opposed to science. He thought science had much to teach religion.

2. He followed the language of the heart. He understood that logic and reason have limits and we have to listen to the whisperings of love and the mystery of life as we almost, but not quite, know it.

3. He followed the luring of the dream. He believed something is acting on us and calling us to do something or to become something. He thought this was found in the vision of things as they could be or in the imperative of things as they should be. He thought every human being has an opportunity to participate in the creative process.

It seems to me that Whitehead, as he was being influenced by the logic of the mind, the language of the heart, and the luring of the dream was being informed and directed by God. God is found in logic, in love, and in visions of the future.

This theology appeals to me. It is something that makes sense to me. It can understand it and yet it is beyond my understanding.

What strengths or weaknesses do you see in this? If you have thoughts about it write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing for others to read your response click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles