The Fallacy of Reductionism in Process Theology of Griffin

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Abstract

The process theology is one of the theological systems which spread during postmodern period. This kind of theology tries to revive the spiritual system. David Ray Griffin is one of the process theologians and has many systematic researches. According to his idea, spiritual system in pre- modern considers the world in a way that is subjugated to an all-powerful Being that unilaterally intervenes in all issues. The modern world view denies the God totally. Criticizing both of the world views, Griffin tries to apply some elements of both of systems to propose new theology which draws inspiration from Whitehead's process philosophy. Some important doctrines in process theology are pan-experientialism in which all of persons are ordered collections of transient opportunities of experiment, Whitehead's naturalistic theism, emphasis on Whitehead's non-sense perception and integration in religious, aesthetic, and moral intuition to the most general doctrines of science in an integrated world view. This article criticizes Griffin's opinions about process theology. The reductionism in his interpretation of the God's power and creativity and to devalue them into creature's power and creativity, without logical explanation and just to resolve some problems in traditional theology such as problem of evil and free will in human, are samples of reductionism in Griffin's thought.

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