I am excited about the speaker/theologian who has been invited for this JULY by West Coast Centre for (r)Evoluitonary Theology and Vancouver School of Theology – Thomas Oord. He comes from a Progressive Evangelical background and has been a key proponent of Open and Relational Theism, working hard at articulating a new understanding of how God works in the world. Oord’s thinking has actually gotten him fired from the Evangelical Seminary where he was teaching, but that seems to have spurred him on to dig ever more deeply into how one can affirm a loving and involved God while taking with the utmost seriousness, the realities of evil, pain and suffering, and the role of chance and randomness in the unfolding of reality.
Thomas Oord has recently published a new book, God Can’t, and has been on an extensive speaking tour, and much of what he will be sharing this July is rooted in the ideas found in this book. The book has been very well received—
If conventional notions of God make less and less sense to
you, you’ll find Thomas Jay Oord’s new book a breath of fresh air. Simply put,
“God Can’t” presents an understanding of God that thoughtful, ethical people
can believe in.
— Brian D. McLaren, author of The Great
Spiritual Migration
Victims of trauma sometimes hear theological responses that
imply their suffering is somehow “God’s will.” A more careful theological
reflection on the nature of the power of a God who is love can help. Oord gives
us a clear and compelling alternative in this profoundly insightful and
admirably concrete and accessible book.
— Dr. Anna Case-Winters, Professor of Theology
at McCormick Theological Seminary
So… let me encourage you to SIGN UP for the SUMMER SCHOOL COURSE at Vancouver School of Theology.
WHAT
— Thank Goodness, God is not in
control! [TH5/729] with Thomas Oord
Open and Relational theologies provide winsome resources for answering big
questions. This course answers two: Why doesn’t God prevent suffering and evil?
Can God stop climate change singlehandedly?
Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary
studies. He is known for his contributions to research on love, open and
relational theology, science and religion, and the implications of freedom and
relationships for transformation.
For a bit more information about the course check out https://vst.edu/course/th5-729-thank-goodness-god-is-not-in-control
WHEN: July 8- 12th, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 12 pm
WHERE: At Vancouver School of Theology, UBC Campus (6015 Walter Gage Road)
COST: $255 to audit; $330 for full credit.
TO REGISTER: – Go to the VST Website:– https://vst.edu/form-page/vst-summer-school-registration-form
(NOTE… VST makes a decision about whether a course gets the green light depending on how many people register before the end of May. So if you are interested, please register soon.)
Note that Thomas Oord will be giving a EVENING LECTURE (free) on TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 9th, 7-9 pm, at Canadian Memorial United Church (SW corner of Burrard and 16th Ave. (Title still to be determined.)
I hope to see you out at VST, or if that’s not possible, then perhaps at the Tuesday night lecture. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.
WEST COAST CENTRE FOR (r)EVOLUTIONARY THEOLOGY 