Finally, a theology that stops treating God like a cosmic vending machine.
This piece makes prayer sound less like begging and more like collaboration. Less “Dear Santa in the Sky,” more “Hey Partner in the Project of Existence, let’s keep this thing evolving.”
If divine love is a current, process theology is just learning how to swim with it. And maybe, just maybe, that’s the point.
Beautifully written, Tim. You made faith sound like jazz again.
I came across a seniour member of Wells Cathedral clergy. He gave a lecture in a seminar on Islam and Christianity. To the room of about 30 people he tried to persuade us to pray Islamic prayers.
I asked him afterwards if he thought Mohammed was a genuine prophet, yes or no? He refused to give a straight answer.
Two weeks later an inter-faith service was held in the cathedral. An imam preached from the Koran.
What is wrong with them? Don't they understand that Islam is anti-Christ?
So you don't feel that God has reached out to all peoples all over the earth, and "spoken" to them in ways that make sense to them? In other words, attempt to reach people where they're at?
As someone who also attended Catholic school as a non-Catholic, I know exactly what you mean about those early prayers — the kind that sometimes felt like reciting a recipe instead of feeling a connection. But your reflection reminded me why that connection was never really lost — it just gets buried under all the noise of human reason, ego, and confusion.
I don’t believe God or prayer are complicated at all. The battle’s not between heaven and earth — it’s between the human heart and the human mind. When the mind quiets down, the heart remembers what it already knew: faith doesn’t need to make sense to work.
Your closing prayer was powerful, sincere, and needed. Amen to that — and may we all keep learning how to co-create light in the middle of the world’s noise.
That's put beautifully: "When the mind quiets down, the heart remembers what it already knew". I'd be very interested to hear more of what you mean by what follows: "faith doesn’t need to make sense to work." And also: so you pray? What is your faith like?
My faith’s been tested plenty, and I’ve veered off the path more than once — sometimes by choice, sometimes by circumstance — but I’ve never lost sight of where the path leads.
For me, faith doesn’t have to make sense to work, because it’s not a formula; it’s fuel. It’s that small voice that kicks in when logic runs dry. I’ve learned that when I try to think my way through faith, I overcomplicate it. But when I feel my way through it — with trust, humility, and sometimes plain old stubborn hope — I find my footing again every time.
I may not always walk the straightest line, but I know who walks beside me.
Finally, a theology that stops treating God like a cosmic vending machine.
This piece makes prayer sound less like begging and more like collaboration. Less “Dear Santa in the Sky,” more “Hey Partner in the Project of Existence, let’s keep this thing evolving.”
If divine love is a current, process theology is just learning how to swim with it. And maybe, just maybe, that’s the point.
Beautifully written, Tim. You made faith sound like jazz again.
This is a beautiful essay, Tim!
I haven't had a chance to read much of the book yet, but I look forward to getting to your essay!
Same here. My copy just arrived a couple of days ago. I plan to take it to Theology Beer Camp and read it during my travels.
Thanks much Chris
Thank you.
Something has been troubling me greatly.
I came across a seniour member of Wells Cathedral clergy. He gave a lecture in a seminar on Islam and Christianity. To the room of about 30 people he tried to persuade us to pray Islamic prayers.
I asked him afterwards if he thought Mohammed was a genuine prophet, yes or no? He refused to give a straight answer.
Two weeks later an inter-faith service was held in the cathedral. An imam preached from the Koran.
What is wrong with them? Don't they understand that Islam is anti-Christ?
The details are here:
https://hellish2050.substack.com/p/wells-cathedral-epicentre-of-chrislam
So you don't feel that God has reached out to all peoples all over the earth, and "spoken" to them in ways that make sense to them? In other words, attempt to reach people where they're at?
Thanks for the recommendation of the book. About prayer: I enjoyed Divine Echoes by Karris exploring prayer from an Open perspective.
Thanks. That book looks really good!
brother.
As someone who also attended Catholic school as a non-Catholic, I know exactly what you mean about those early prayers — the kind that sometimes felt like reciting a recipe instead of feeling a connection. But your reflection reminded me why that connection was never really lost — it just gets buried under all the noise of human reason, ego, and confusion.
I don’t believe God or prayer are complicated at all. The battle’s not between heaven and earth — it’s between the human heart and the human mind. When the mind quiets down, the heart remembers what it already knew: faith doesn’t need to make sense to work.
Your closing prayer was powerful, sincere, and needed. Amen to that — and may we all keep learning how to co-create light in the middle of the world’s noise.
— Jerry Chiles
That's put beautifully: "When the mind quiets down, the heart remembers what it already knew". I'd be very interested to hear more of what you mean by what follows: "faith doesn’t need to make sense to work." And also: so you pray? What is your faith like?
Yes, I do pray, Tim. Always have.
My faith’s been tested plenty, and I’ve veered off the path more than once — sometimes by choice, sometimes by circumstance — but I’ve never lost sight of where the path leads.
For me, faith doesn’t have to make sense to work, because it’s not a formula; it’s fuel. It’s that small voice that kicks in when logic runs dry. I’ve learned that when I try to think my way through faith, I overcomplicate it. But when I feel my way through it — with trust, humility, and sometimes plain old stubborn hope — I find my footing again every time.
I may not always walk the straightest line, but I know who walks beside me.
J.C.
—
Beautifully put!
Thank you brother.