Divergence of Evangelical and Process Theologies

Iendeavour to identify how Process theology approaches the diverse traditions and theologies that are typically identified as Evangeli cal.1 By Evangelical, I have in mind what is labelled as such in the American context, although most of my comments will hold true of the thought and practices of Evangelicals worldwide.Evangelicalism is a broad socio-theological movement, and the dogmatic claims made by its members are quite diverse.Considering this, Evangelicalism is an essentially contested tradition, and within it an intense debate and contest about how best to develop and explain its essential ingredients occurs.2Because who should be identified as Evangelical and what counts as Evangelical theology are hotly contested issues, I begin by noting how process theology might consider five affirmations that many would consider the core of Evangelicalism.3These five characteristics of Evangelical thought provide orienting concerns from which one might gauge various affinities and disparities that Evangelical theology might have with Process theology.I will look at the fifth affirmation, having to do with the doctrine of God, in greater detail than the others.In that discussion, I address in particular the dialogue that has emerged between process theology and a way of Evangelical thinking called "Openness Theology

Linguistics · Sociology · Christian Theology and Mission · Computer Science · Philosophy · Religion, Society, and Development

• American evangelicalism

  James Davison Hunter•American evangelicalism•1983

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• Evangelicalism

  James Davison Hunter•Evangelicalism•1987

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