Example of process theory research proposal

RESEARCH PAPER PROPOSAL ON PROCESS THEOLOGY

The importance of research being done in this branch of religion is so as to clearly bring out the relationship that exists between religious thoughts and the dynamic aspects of human life2. Additionally it brings out the relationship and comparisons that exist between traditions and religious practices. Several studies have shown that there exists a strong and inseparable relationship between traditions and contemporary religion. Historically, process theology has aroused various opinions from various schools of thought3. It is generally accepted that process theology originated from Europe, especially Great Britain and spread out through to the United States.

It was characterized by such groupings as the New England Theology, The great awakening. The initial forms of process theology were based upon personal and indigenous thinking. It involved such prominent figures as John Dewey, Charles Saunders and William James. It has led to the academic argument of the doctrine of God. The argument is hinged on the biblical and religious way of thinking vis-à-vis the philosophical school of thought. The philosophical aspect of God considers God as absolute and unconditioned, disputing the biblical claim that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but an interactive God, while the biblical aspect considers God as the creator and the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 4

PROCEDURE FOR THE STUDY

In carrying out the study, several means and procedures were followed to acquire results from which conclusions can be drawn. The bible is a fundamental source of information that was used to base the arguments on the topic5. The long tradition also offered fundamental information on the topic. Additionally, long tradition based on faith was used to offer more information on the topic. The philosophical categories that were utilized was based on the process philosophy, majorly developed by Charles Hartshorne and North Whitehead6. It is noted that within Christianity, there exists liberal thinkers to whom the idea of process philosophy has appealed to mostly. Evangelicals have also found it useful in their schools of thought. Unitarians have also been found to utilize the process philosophy without majorly including and appropriating much of the Christian’s scriptures as well as traditions7. Additionally, there are Buddhist and Jewish thinkers who have also made use of the process philosophy, but utilizing their own versions of the scriptures as well as their own set of traditions. Personal experiences were also utilized to conduct the study. This involved considering people’s individual experiences of their thoughts on theological processes8.

CONCEPTS OF PROCESS THEOLOGY

Process theology has various concepts upon which it is based. First there is the concept that God lacks omnipotence9. Process theology also argues that reality is not constituted by materialistic substances that are constant through time but by events that are sequential and pre-determined. It proposes that God interacts with the universe10.

ENDNOTES

1. Bube, Paul Custodio. Ethics in John Cobb’s Process Theology American Academy of Religion Academy Series. Atlanta, Ga.: Scholars Press, 1988.

2. McDaniel, Jay B., and Donna Bowman. Handbook of Process Theology. St. Louis, Mo.: Chalice Press, 2006.

3. Mesle, C. Robert. Process Theology : A Basic Introduction. St. Louis, Mo.: Chalice Press, 1993.

4. Markham, Ian S. The Blackwell Companion to the Theologians. 2 vols. Blackwell Companions to Religion. Chichester, U. K. ; Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.

5. McDaniel, Jay B., and Donna Bowman. Handbook of Process Theology. St. Louis, Mo.: Chalice Press, 2006.

6. Nash, Ronald H. Process Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1987. Philadelphia: Manchester University Press ;

7. Tehranian, Majid, B. Jeannie Lum, and Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research. Globalization & Identity : Cultural Diversity, Religion, and Citizenship Peace & Policy. New Brunswick, N. J.: Transaction Publishers, 2006.

8. Pinnock, Clark H., Paul A. Mickey, and Mark Lau Branson. Evangelical Theology : Conservative and Contemporary Thesis Theological Cassettes. Pittsburgh: Thesis, 1979.

9. Truesdale, Albert. God Reconsidered : The Promise and Peril of Process Theology. Kansas City, Mo.: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 2010. Westminster Press, 1982.

10. Trethowan, Illtyd. Process Theology and the Christian Tradition : An Essay in Post-Vatican Ii Thinking Studies in Historical Theology. Still River, Mass.: St. Bede’s Publications, 1985.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bube, Paul Custodio. Ethics in John Cobb’s Process Theology American Academy of Religion Academy Series. Atlanta, Ga.: Scholars Press, 1988.

Markham, Ian S. The Blackwell Companion to the Theologians. 2 vols. Blackwell Companions to Religion. Chichester, U. K. ; Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
McDaniel, Jay B., and Donna Bowman. Handbook of Process Theology. St. Louis, Mo.: Chalice Press, 2006.
McDaniel, Jay B., and Donna Bowman. Handbook of Process Theology. St. Louis, Mo.: Chalice Press, 2006.
Mesle, C. Robert. Process Theology : A Basic Introduction. St. Louis, Mo.: Chalice Press, 1993.
Nash, Ronald H. Process Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1987.
Philadelphia: Manchester University Press ;
Pinnock, Clark H., Paul A. Mickey, and Mark Lau Branson. Evangelical Theology : Conservative and Contemporary Thesis Theological Cassettes. Pittsburgh: Thesis, 1979.

Tehranian, Majid, B. Jeannie Lum, and Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research. Globalization & Identity : Cultural Diversity, Religion, and Citizenship Peace & Policy. New Brunswick, N. J.: Transaction Publishers, 2006.
Trethowan, Illtyd. Process Theology and the Christian Tradition : An Essay in Post-Vatican Ii Thinking Studies in Historical Theology. Still River, Mass.: St. Bede’s Publications, 1985.
Truesdale, Albert. God Reconsidered : The Promise and Peril of Process Theology. Kansas City, Mo.: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 2010.
Westminster Press, 1982.