God of Becoming and Relationship: The Dynamic Nature of Process Theology

by Bradley Shavit Artson

You no longer have to choose between what you know and what you believe―an accessible introduction to a theological game-changer. "I wrote this book for you if you want to be able to locate your life in a single, encompassing story, one that includes everything from the first moment the universe began until yesterday, a narrative that embraces deepest personal meaning, a yearning to love and be loved, a quest for social justice and compassion."
―from the Introduction Much of what you were told you should believe when you were younger forces you to choose between your spirit and your intellect, between science and religion, between morality and unchanging laws of nature vs. miracles that sound magical; a good God vs. the tragedies that strike all living creatures; a God who knows the future absolutely vs. an open future that you help to shape through your choices. This fascinating introduction to Process Theology from a Jewish perspective shows that these are false choices. Inspiring speaker, spiritual leader and philosopher Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson presents an overview of what Process Theology is and what it can mean for your spiritual life. He explains how Process Theology can break you free from the strictures of ancient Greek and medieval European philosophy, allowing you to see all creation not as this or that, us or them, but as related patterns of energy through which we connect to everything. Armed with Process insights and tools, you can break free from outdated religious dichotomies and affirm that your religiosity, your spirit, your mind and your ethics all strengthen and refine each other.

Genres: Judaism, Religion, Theology, Spirituality, Jewish, Philosophy, Christianity

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2013

Reviews

[Patricia Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a new day for Process Theology. Rabbi Artson's beautifully written book is a fresh birthing of process thought--and in the most natural place of all: Judaism. But this book is not just for Jews! As a non-Jewish process thinker (from the Protestant tradition of John Cobb and Marjorie Suchocki), I not only appreciate Rabbi Artson's insightful interpretation of process theology, but have gained a deeper appreciation of the Jewish tradition. In fact, I am convinced after reading this book that the Jewish faith is inherently process. But it took someone like Rabbi Artson with his keen intellect, accessible writing style, and deep faith to scrape off the heavy weight of Greek philosophy and get back to a fresh, living, breathing Judaism. What a gift he has given to the world! For example, seeing mizvot (commandments) through the eyes of a God whose power is persuasive rather than coercive, whose very essence is relational love, will liberate many Jews (and others) who seek an authentic spirituality. The last chapter of the book--which you might want to read first--will leave you deeply moved and brush away any doubt that process theology is a way forward for Jews and non-Jews alike who yearn for an intimate and authentic spirituality. Whatever your perspective on religion, this book will change the way you see God and the world. Especially if you are dealing with trauma or grief or agonizing over how to believe in God in a world filled with evil and suffering, you will find comfort and love here--the kind that does not bypass your mind or innate moral sense. (If you resonated with Rabbi Harold Kushner's classic book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, then you will love Rabbi Artson's book, too.) In God of Becoming and Relationship, Rabbi Artson has made a significant contribution to the community of diverse faiths in the belief that Process Thought is "a way to build communities that are robust in their pluralism and rooted in their streams of wisdom." Bravo, Rabbi Artson!

--Patricia Adams Farmer, author of Embracing a Beautiful God: Tenth Anniversary Edition and featured writer for the on-line magazine Jesus, Jazz and Buddhism: Process Thinking for a More Hospitable World

[Ryan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!

[Ari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very good as an introduction to Process thought. The way Artson links Process theology and Jewish tradition is genuinely interesting and convincing.

Would've given this 4 stars if not for the absolute hypocrisy in the author's discussion of the state of Israel. After an entire book espousing the need for compassion for others and the way G-d calls us to fight for liberation of all people, Artson uncritically regurgitates Zionist talking points and refuses to consider anti-Zionist arguments in good faith. For all his talk of G-d's love for humanity and the inherent dignity of others, Artson doesn't even spare a sentence to discuss the crimes of the Israeli state or the plight of Palestinians. I get that this is a book about theology, not politics, but why even dedicate a chapter to talking about Zionism if you're just going to skim over all the important parts of the discussion.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Begins with an exciting overview of process theology, thought and philosophy but the more specific it gets about Judaism, the less useful *I* found it. It remained fascinating and I leaned a lot of things about Judaism and Rabbinic thought. But as a guide to Process Theology it started strong, but lost some of it's steam.

[Adam Curfman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent and easy to understand (but not simple) overview of process theology. It also did a great job of showing the implications for everyday life and how this different understanding of God can change how we interact with the world.

While the book does come from a Jewish perspective, it definitely has plenty of applications to other faiths or belief systems and gave me a deeper understanding of progressive Jewish faith that I found very valuable.

[Micah · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of implicit connections between Judaism - especially the mystical and Hasidic traditions - and process thought, but they have never been (at least to my knowledge) systematically acknowledged and explicated as Rabbi Artson does in this book. What really distinguishes this book is not the mere acknowledgement of similarities, but the fact that he also interprets other cornerstones of Jewish thought that are not clearly process-friendly at first glance and then rereads them in a new way that is frequently invigorating. This is a very book that I'd definitely recommend to anyone interested in Judaism or Christians intrigued by process thought and its usefulness for interreligious dialogue.

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful and soulful introduction to Process Theology from a Jewish perspective. Artson's take here is the theology that I desperately want to believe, but this book wasn't as convincing as I had hoped. I think, truthfully, that without really wrestling with more of the potential issues that Process Theology brings up, it's impossible to really choose it as a life defining theology. That said, the book flows and is both witty and very accessible. Recommended, generally, but recommend reading Whitehead's 'Process and Reality' first.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

What we think of as the physical world is really made up of energy in constant movement and interaction. G-d both organizes this chaos and lures us as individuals to make optimal choices. That's my simplistic understanding of Rabbi Artson's view of Process Theology. Baruch hashem!

[Daniel Burstyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep putting this down. I love Rabbi Artson's work. I could listen to his voice all day. I wish he had more audio material online.