BearK Loc: TN

When it comes to prayer, remember why Jesus was always heard by His Father - He gave God His heart and His time, God in turn gave Jesus His ear. We can all learn from that, if it is important give God your time, you have given Him your heart.

GOOD NEWS

NPP said both boys are doing well in school (private school is year round) and SWMBO is very busy with her training articles and two training classes, plus working with Chaos, who is a real charmer.

I am so low on good news, I feel like making something up so it sounds good, but that wouldn't be honest. I can tell you that my aching back muscles feel better after my yoga class this AM. That's good, because those muscles were really sore.

I can possibly get a laugh out of you by telling you about my hedge trimming, which is why I have sore muscles. Hopefully, in a year or two the gap I made in one bush will grow out. At least, I didn't kill it - good news.


NEEDS

We have needs, but this is important enough that I feel it should be brought to the top, so everyone will know what is going on. Our need to pray for our churches must be elevated to priority because the Progressive agenda is bringing out '"PROCESS THEOLOGY" the short definition is: the philosophical and theological position that God is changing as is the universe. Therefore, our knowledge of God must be progressing as we learn more about Him, and it can never rest in any absolutes, which is why process theologians deny the absolutes of God's immutability and truth. We MUST be in prayer that our churches stay on the true message of the Bible and let their 'business' side take care of itself. Their real business is to lead their flock, have it be with the truth. Thank You, Lord.

Not everyone has the same depth of strength, they feel, "why did God let this happen to me?" They neglect to give Satan credit for evil, and then turn their hearts to God and say, "Thank You, Lord for pulling me through this." So, keep the weak in your prayers, we are all weak at times and can use all the prayers we can get.

Lord, we humbly come to You with our prayers of blessings and our prayers of need. We ask that You look down upon these, your servants, who are in need of Your loving and healing touch in their lives. Our need for You grows, as does our sincere appreciation for all the blessings You bestow upon us and our dear loved ones.

NPP has asked that we keep Sheila in prayer as she is undergoing a special experimental cancer treatment. She has had previous cancer treatments two or three years apart, this will be her last time. She has teenage boys who need prayers as well, and comfort. Seeing their mother go through this cannot make the boys feel really encouraged, no doubt they are full of hope, but also fear as they have never known her to be cancer free. Please keep this family in prayer. Dear Lord, we ask that You place Your healing hand over the entire family, to heal Sheila, and to comfort her husband and the boys.

NPP has asked that we also pray for Jori who was in a car accident six months ago, has had six surgeries and is held together with metal rods. Rehab is tough and she is starting to loose her will to keep fighting even though the rehab is going well. there is only so much pain people can take. Pray that the good Lord strengthen her will to keep her fighting spirit, and that the power of our prayers may bring to her Gods' love to encourage and strengthen her.

NPP's back surgery has been postponed for a while, but he will be having cataract surgery next month. He's not looking forward to it, but your eyes are so valuable, Charlie didn't even mind it. We ask dear Lord, you have this be a piece of cake, and have all go well for NPP's eyes. They are such a blessing from You.

Slatten had us pray for Red, a friend, who was in the ER in Waco, he has come home, but struggling somewhat. All of his friends, in the area, are looking out for him. Barbara and Manny are still having their problems, although he hasn't heard from them for a few days now. It is awfully hard to keep in touch with them as they are very reclusive. Dear Lord, You know the problems and the needs here, we ask that in Your mercy You care for them.

Armageddun's dear wife needs our prayers as she suffers from fibromyalgia. I do believe our foods (think GMo's), preservatives, medications injected into animals, and possibly pollution in general is causing these autoimmune diseases. If GMO's will poison bugs - what are they doing to us? God has given us wonderful bodies but some people have better constitutions to withstand the onslaught of these poisons better than others.

NanaSue also suffers from fibromyalgia, so I am praying both women will find a diet regime that will bring them relief. Diet helped my Rheumatoid Arthritis - an autoimmune disease, and it helped a Dr. Wahls with MS, so I am praying it will help them.

Dear Lord, cover these two wonderful women with your healing hand and bring healing and relief from this disease. In Jesus name we ask.

Searching has not let me know how her baby llama is doing, but with her 'mothering' touch, we pray your little one is doing well.

bdamage brought a need to us for a neighbor named Dutch. She is in her late 80's. Things seem to be going downhill for her, the hospital has inserted a feeding tube. BD is caring for her golden retriever, Julie. Lord, we place Dutch in Your hands.

Roxy can use continued prayer as she is looking to more surgery come fall. The Lord has been good to guide the hands of the doctor's so far, and her strong faith carries her through. We keep you in prayer, Roxy, as we know the Lord knows His sheep and He cares for them.

Rufus can use our prayers, to help him stay away from threads that send him into 'outer space.'

NPP has brought a new prayer partner in "gapamen," and she needs prayer. her husband left her and their daughter, she hasn't been able to get child support and she is having back surgery next month. Dear Lord, this woman is in need of Your help in so many ways, come upon her so she will feel Your comfort, and lead her to get the help and resources she needs.

Grugore asked for prayer concerning a situation in his life. The Lord knows your problems, your hopes or desires, so we ask whatever it may be He will come into your life to help you solve it.

Cantbeleve has been missing for some time now, his partner had some health issues so let's keep them in our prayers.

Please continue to pray for a young man, call him Marie's ward, who has been trying to conquer his drug addiction. This may be improving, let's pray for good results. All families, who have loved ones caught in the grip of this foul scourge can use prayer, and those who are affected by this situation.

Please continue to pray for the well being of the baby girl yet to be born.

Protect our children Lord, the world is coming up with such evil it is mind-numbing. Demons are abounding for their last hoorah, keep them at bay, Lord. WE NEED YOU!

Be with our troops, particularly the ones facing enemy forces. Keep them safe, and keep them and their families in Your care. We pray in Jesus name, thanking You, and praising You.

If the Lord doesn't answer your prayer right away, don't be a quitter, continue to stand on His Word, and continue to thank Him for your healing, and for the answer to your prayer. DON'T GIVE UP. continue to praise the Lord!

Also, remember, if you receive a word for someone, never just slough it off, it just may bring comfort to them.

We have people on OPP that suffer personal problems, depression, uncharted changes that cause dilemma, worries over family members, and finances, problems that are far too common place now. Some would like their names mentioned, others do not, so for the names we know -- Lord, You are aware of each individual on OPP, if they have asked for prayer we pray You will soon help them, and bring relief for their situation, if they have not asked - we pray You respond to their problems regardless. We thank You for Your caring hand to pass over them and ease whatever their ills may be. We pray in the name of Jesus, to the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost. Amen.

The following is a list of our Prayer Team Members in alphabetical order, please go through each name to bring it before God, He knows their situation and will help them accordingly.

alabuck, Archie Bunker, Armegudden, AuntiE
Bhamer, Bdamage,BearK, BigMike, Blade_Runner, bylm1, BOHICA, Brucey, Btfkr
Caboose, Cant Believe, Cold Iron, Conservative, Coos Bay Tom
DanceTherapist, Deb Bus, Don G. Dinsdale, Faithistheword
Gapamen, Gilda Grumble, Greyfox, Grugore, Hemiman
Iowajurist, Jack Sequim Wa, Jetson, Jimahrens
Larry, Liberty Tree, Lindajoy, Loki
MajorAhrens, Melbell, mcmlx, MiamiPhil77, MrEd, MsAtta2d, Mwdegutis
NanaSue57, No Propaganda Please, Poppa Gringo, Oldroy, Oliver, Opmember
Pennylynn, Rainrider, Ranger7374, Rebecwi333, Rhomin57, Rich boise,
Ricktloml, Robby1, RockKnutne, Roxy, Rufus, Rumitoid
Searching, Semper-Fi, Slatten49, Son of Witless, Swampbug
Texacan, Theo, Tmcsea1
Workinman, Wuzblynd, Wolf counselor, Worried for Our Children
USA 11, VE'hoe, 4430, 7boncos5680

Lord, first we ask that You forgive us our sins, next we ask that You come into our lives and touch us. Touch us Lord with Your healing hand, increase patience and fortitude where needed, increase our faith to know You are there, to know You hear us, and You care. Thank You, Lord for watching over each of us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Try to find a reason to laugh, or least smile each day - it's medicine for the soul. If for no other reason, you can smile because Jesus loves you - just as you are.

bahmer

Amen and Amen. It appears that you will have a reason for smiling each and every day as you look out at that bush in front of your house. Have a great day and we will pray for all.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

I checked out Process theology and found this article that sounds as if it represents the concepts well.


Why I Am Not a Process Theologian

Lutheran theologian Robert Jenson once quipped that the only thing wrong with process theology is that it is such an attractive alternative to Christian faith. I agree.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying people who believe in process theology cannot be Christians. Lots of people are Christians whose theology is profoundly messed up. Maybe the majority of Christians’ theology is profoundly messed up!

What I am saying is that insofar as a person believes in process theology they are Christian in spite of their theology, not because of it. But, again, I would say the same about lots of Christians and their theologies. Don’t get me started…

So why did Jenson say that and why do I agree?

I can’t speak for Jenson, but I suspect he said it for the same reasons I would. (I’ve read enough of Jenson and have been with him enough to be able to make an educated guess.)

But first, before I explain, let me say that many, many people I know who think they believe in process theology really don’t. Like many theological labels and categories, over time, “process theology” has been stretched to cover much, much more than it originally covered. Many people who claim to believe in it simply don’t know what it is, historically-theologically, or what it entails logically.

When I talk about “process theology” I mean the type of (so-called) Christian theology based on the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead (sometimes as modified by Charles Hartshorne) and expressed above all, prototypically, by John Cobb, David Griffin, Norman Pittenger, Delwin Brown, et al.

In other words, “process theology” is not just any relational theology. It is a type of relational theology, but not the only one. And, I would add, not the best one. (For example, Jürgen Moltmann’s is a relational theology and, in my opinion, much better than process theology.)

Many people have taken a course that included a little process theology or have read a book by a process thinker or just heard about process theology and jumped on the bandwagon without really knowing all that it involves. So—just because you call yourself “process” doesn’t mean you are.

So what are the essentials of process theology? My description will be of an “ideal type” based on the consensus of the most noted and influential process theologians (some of whom are mentioned above).

First, process theology assumes that to be is to be in relation. It is a relational, organic worldview.

Second, process theology avers that God is not an exception to basic ontological rules but is their chief exemplification.

Third, process theology asserts that omnipotence is a theological mistake; God is not and cannot be omnipotent. God’s only power is the power of influence (persuasion).

Fourth, process theology is a form of theistic naturalism; it does not have room for the supernatural or for divine interventions (miracles).

Fifth, process theology denies creatio ex nihilo, creation out of nothing, and affirms classical panentheism—God and the world are mutually interdependent. There is a sense in which God is dependent on the world (beyond self-limitation).

Sixth, process theology refers to God as “dipolar”—having two “poles” or “natures”—one primordial and one consequent. God’s primordial pole is potential only and consists of ideals. God’s consequent pole is actual and consists of God’s experience. The world contributes experience to God. God has no primordial experience. (Theologian Austin Farrer referred to this as process theology’s lack of “prior actuality in God.”)

Seventh, process theology regards God as radically temporal; God learns as history unfolds and how history unfolds is ultimately up to creatures (actual occasions). (“God proposes but man disposes.”)

Eighth, process theology reduces God’s creative activity to bringing about order and harmony insofar as possible. God is not the actual creator of the world or any actual occasion (the basic building blocks of reality). God can only create, however, with creaturely cooperation.

Ninth, process theology views Jesus Christ as different in degree but not in kind from other creatures. His “divinity” consists of his embodying the self-expressive activity of God (“Logos”) which is “creative transformation.” He is not God incarnate in any absolutely unique sense that no other creature could be.

Tenth, process theology denies any guaranteed ultimate victory of God or good over evil. The future is “more of the same” so far as we know. Ultimately, that is up to us, not God. God always does God’s best, but he cannot guarantee anything.

Now, if that is an accurate brief summary of the essential points of process theology, which I believe it is (allowing that there are people who call themselves “process” who may disagree with one or two points and who may add to it something others would not), here is why I think it is not a form of Christian theology.

First, process theology’s ultimate authority for belief is not divine revelation but philosophy and, in particular, Whitehead’s organic metaphysic (sometimes as altered by Hartshorne). That becomes the “Procrustean bed” on which revelation must fit. It is not merely influenced by or integrated with that philosophy; that philosophy is its very soul and foundation.

Second, process theology’s Jesus Christ is not God and Savior in any recognizable sense. Its Christology tends to be either adoptionistic or Nestorian (as in the case of Norman Pittenger).

Third, process theology has very little, if any, room for the Trinity. Attempts by process theologians to include the Trinity in their theology have been weak and mostly modalistic. (Catholic process theologian Joseph Bracken has attempted to develop a trinitarian process theology, but I’m not convinced it works.)

Fourth, process theology denies miracles including the bodily resurrection/empty tomb of Jesus Christ.

Fifth, process theology constitutes radical accommodation to secular modernity.

Sixth, process theology denies the efficacy of petitionary prayer.

Seventh, process theology has no realistic eschatology.

Eighth, process theology makes God dependent on the world and not as a matter of voluntary self-limitation (as in the case of Moltmann, for example).

Ninth, process theology reduces salvation to actualization of God’s “initial aim” and thereby falls into a kind of Pelagianism (except that for most process theologians everyone is or will be “saved” in the traditional sense of reconciled with God).

Tenth, process theology is so esoteric as to be impossible for most people to understand. It uses conventional Christian language but means something so different that only people steeped in process philosophy could possibly guess at its meaning. The meanings bear little resemblance, if any, to orthodox Christianity.

Is there anything redeemable in process theology? Not that I cannot find elsewhere.

Why is process theology so popular? I think it’s because it seems to solve the theodicy question. If process theology is true, there is no theodicy question. Evil exists because God is not omnipotent and creatures, having free will and some degree of self-centeredness, often resist God’s initial aim for them. I’m not sure that begins to explain evils such as the holocaust.

But process theology solves the theodicy issue at too high a cost. The God of process theology is hardly worshipful. In order to be worshipful God must be both great and good (but not one at the expense of the other). The God of process theology is not great enough to be worshipful. He/she/it is great enough to be admirable but not worshipful.

A better solution to the theodicy issue may be found in God’s self-limitation in creation. This is the alternative presented by Moltmann, among others. I highly recommend Greg Boyd’s book Is God to Blame? for those attracted to process theology but wanting a more orthodox alternative. (For those who object that Boyd is an open theist, this particular book does not depend on that.)


Related posts from Roger E. Olson:

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

I just got a call from Sheila's husband. She passed away this afternoon. Thank God she is now out of pain. Our prayers are with her family.

BearK Loc: TN

Dear Lord, comfort the family, have them feel loved and sheltered by other family members and neighbors who appreciate them, and are in pain with them. Bless this family, and the boys, hold them near, dear Lord, I pray. Amen

NPP, thank you for the explanation regarding Process Theology. I've been reading the books of Enoch (there are 3 of them) - they say the eternal, never-ending fire is real for the evil. As for me (and no doubt you) the faith God put in my heart is real, the Bible confirms it to me, and there I will remain.

bahmer

Amen and Amen both for Sheila's family and her husband and children and for your faith. I also believe that the never ending fire is for real and that the faith that God put in my heart is real and we all should remain in that state.

BearK Loc: TN

When we allow ourselves to drift from that faith, we are like a rudderless ship - no direction, no purpose, no control.