Overview of the Journey

As you read this chapter, note the elements of the journey:

• Experience as a source and norm for thinking theologically
• Mining as a metaphor for theological investigation
• The “supernatural existential”
• Theology as a form of imaginative, human construction
• Characteristics appropriate to theology’s work
• Evaluating theologies
• Process panentheism
• Fiction as a lens through which to view God
• Theology as the unblinking scrutiny of God

Discussion Questions — printout

1. Middleton’s first sentence defines “faith.” How would you define it?
2. How does Middleton’s background provide him with his essay’s presiding metaphor for thinking theologically? What are some of the metaphors you live by, and how do they shape the way you talk about God?
3. Are you able to relate to Rahner’s examples of our “spirit” or “openness” to God (p. 125)? If so, how? If not, why not?
4. How do you respond to Middleton’s conviction that all theologies are constructed activities?
5. How might a conservative or a liberal Christian criticize Middleton’s three criteria for evaluating God-talk?
6. Why did Middleton abandon classical theism? What reservations, if any, do you have about moving away from traditional ways of picturing God?
7. What are the merits and demerits of process panentheism?
8. How might the view that the future is the future for God, not only for us, influence the way you live your life?
9. Have any novels, short stories, or poems ever illuminated abstract theological concepts such as grace, God, forgiveness, Jesus, atonement, et cetera. If so, which?
10. Process theologians think God is a verb, not a noun. What is the difference?
11. Does the idea that God is subject to change as we are subject to change have any relevance to your faith community today? If so, how? If not, why not?

Class Exercises

• Form two groups. One group is to argue that the Bible upholds the notion that God does not change. The other group is to argue from the Bible against their view.  After the debate evaluate your own views.
• Write a sermon based on the insights of the process theologians mentioned in Middleton’s chapter.
• Have the group tackle the following question: “What is Theology?” Share and appraise the different answers.
• Discuss the differences between classical theism and process panentheism. Which perspective do you most value and why?
• Some might say that faith’s challenge is to evolve without ceasing, which implies it must present its truth afresh to each new generation. Have the group debate this idea.

Theological Terms — handout

• classical theology
• process theology
• panentheism
• supernatural existential
• Unmoved Mover 

Theological Personalities — handout

• Karl Rahner (1904–1984)
• Thomas Aquinas (c.1225–1274)
• Charles Hartshorne (1897–2000)
• Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955)
• Jack Miles (1942–)

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