God of becoming and relationship The dynamic nature of process theology

Rabbi Artson introduces process theology to explain how Judaism is not an either/or assumption that asks believers to choose between their spirituality or their intellect. Process theology, we learn, derives from process thought, a way of accounting for the cosmos as a dynamic, evolving unity. Acounting for the cosmos leads to a God who allows good things to happen to bad people and vice versa. After his son's diagnosis of autism, Artson was unsatisfied with conventional religious answers about how such a thing could happen to his family. In contemplating this phenomenon, he develops a complex view of reality, one in which God is both dynamic and vulnerable, his role being to push his creations toward making the best choices for their lives. Yet the freedom God has granted allows humans to shape their own futures, though past choices inevitably affect future realities. Artson discusses process theology in relation to suffering, the afterlife, and religious practice, among other topics, all within a framework of both normative and mystical Judaism. Crisply written, this volume offers delicious food for thought and will be accessible to followers of various religions.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist

Artson (Passing Life's Tests: Spiritual Reflections on the Trial of Abraham, the Binding of Isaac) first introduces process thought and process theology into a Jewish context. Process thought is a method of thinking that counters the "fallacy of the dichotomy:" that one must choose one of a pair of opposites, for example, faith or knowledge. In process theology, God is not outside the world, unchanging and impassible, but interacts with it, using persuasion to lure creation toward the best possible outcome. Subsequently, Artson presents a fresh articulation of Judaism through the lens of process theology, producing a dynamic view of the God of Israel, the meaning of revelation, law and religious practice. Part of the genius of this melding is that it fits the oldest texts sacred to Jews. Hebrew Scripture itself is more replete with opposites-in-tension than absolutes: for example, between the particularity of a people and a universal vision of peace and justice for all humanity. Particularly illuminating and moving is Artson's epilogue, a personal letter to his son, whose autism stimulated Artson's journey toward this relational vision of Judaism. (Dec.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.