John B. Cobb, Jr. A Christian Natural Theology, 2nd ed. (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2007)
John Cobb received his MA in 1949 and PhD in 1952 from the University of Chicago. After graduating, he taught at Candler School of Theology (Emory University) until 1958 when he moved to Claremont School of Theology, where he stayed until his retirement in 1990. Cobb is a United Methodist theologian who played a crucial role in the development of process theology, and continues to exert influence in the refinement of process theology. Cobb is currently Ingraham Professor of Theology Emeritus at the Claremont School of Theology and cofounder of the Center for Process Studies, and is the author or coauthor of more than thirty books.
Cobb integrated Alfred North Whitehead’s metaphysics into Christianity, applying it largely to issues of social justice, and in this book to natural theology. When the first edition appeared in 1965, it was a groundbreaking, to say the least, in that it incorporated Whitehead’s metaphysical philosophy as a framework for developing a Christian natural theology. So significant was the book that it launched process theology as a leading alternative in the later years to the neo-orthodox theology best represented by Barth. In this second edition of A Christian Natural Theology, John Cobb offers changes at several points on which his current views are drastically different from those reflected earlier edition. Minor changes were made in chapters four and six (concerning Whitehead’s doctrine of God), as well as chapter seven (concerning the theological task of natural theology in particular and theology in general). Substantive changes, however, were made in chapter five (which concerns creativity and the concept of God, as well as the relation of time to God, amongst other things).
Within the preface to this new edition, Cobb notes that in today’s environ, it appears that the more education one receives, the less likely they are to believe in God. Cobb thinks that a kosher natural theology from a Christian perspective could well likely challenge the overwhelming spirit of doubt within the academy at large toward the notion of God. In fact, Cobb stipulates that is those individuals at the cutting edge of science adopted a worldview that was also supportive of the Christian faith, this quasi-hostile environment would evaporate in large measure in the course of a generation. Hence, Cobb sees the critical need of a natural theology, and therefore has refreshed this book in its second edition to attempt to influence those at the cutting edge of science and theology. Even though this book is primarily concerned with natural theology, Cobb is quick to remind us that a serious concern for natural theology does not militate against serious concern for the other tasks of Christian theology.
Chapter one introduces readers to Whitehead’s perspective and gives the meaning of some of his essential terms. Chapter two presents a number of themes within Whitehead’s doctrine of mankind that have bearing upon theological anthropology. Chapter three summarizes major features of the value theory developed by Whitehead, goes beyond it in some respects, but remains fully compatible with Whitehead’s direct statements. Chapter four surveys the development of the doctrine of God in Whitehead, primarily in a descriptive rather than critical manner. Chapter five expands the themes of chapter four more fully, and expresses Cobb’s own understanding of the implications of Whitehead’s theory to numerous pertinent issues, especially in regards to God and creativity. Chapter six projects a Whiteheadian understanding of religion. It includes a discussion of Whitehead’s own thought on this subject but also considers quite independently how Whiteheadian philosophy can account for types of religious experience not reflected upon by Whitehead himself. Here too, to the best of my knowledge, I am breaking new ground. Chapter seven is truly the apex of the entire book, as it explicates that understanding of theology and its problematic nature. Other than the obvious influence of Whitehead upon the thinking of Cobb, there is little that is not inspired indirectly by Charles Hartshorne, to whom also it is dedicated.
For patrons interested in process theology generally, and natural theology specifically, this revised second edition is required reading. The significant revisions to chapter five alone make this book worth its purchase price.
Bradford McCall
Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA