What is Process Theology?

Personally, I believe we need God today for a couple of simple reasons. The idea of God appears to be the concept that connects the most people to our common humanity most passionately. In practical terms, you could say it works better than any other idea we know. Second, our acknowledgement of God keeps us in touch with our humility. It reminds us that individual human beings are not the highest or ultimate creations of our Universe. Back in the 19th Century, some determinist-minded scientists introduced our culture to the idea that everything is matter subject to forces of energy. The law of gravity replaced God in the minds of some. 20th Century theories about Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, and organic life appear to have overturned that determinism but that word has not reached everyone yet. Now, it appears that there is uncertainty and free will in the Universe after all. Life as we know it is about making good choices. But, most of us are still bogged down the 19th Century dualism; Science over here and Religion over there. So, Process Theology is about finding ways for these two disparate fields of knowledge to communicate with each other again. Robert Mellert's little book is a very important contribution to that effort. Many of the books on Process Theology are not very easy to read. This one is more than readable. It's enjoyable. As a practicing Catholic, Mellert relates the fundamental concepts of process theology to traditional Christian Theology. I believe these are the kinds of ideas that can bring rationally-thinking seekers back into the churches. We need someone to bring this important book back into print!