John B. Cobb

This book delivers an unsettling but urgent message to all educators . . . Today, humanity finds itself on the cusp of a long period of inexorable decline and disruption, the likes of which no previous generation has experienced. Large-scale behavioral changes are imperative, not necessarily to "save the planet" but to reduce unnecessary pain and suffering. Yet, the vast majority of educators are still functioning in the "normal" mode, teaching the same subjects and skills, year after year, even as the nature of the challenges our students will face is undergoing dramatic changes. This mismatch is causing a moral and spiritual crisis that is threatening to make our lives and our work meaningless. Teaching at Twilight invites all educators to take an unflinching look at the rapidly deteriorating state of the earth's life-support system, become aware of its implications for human civilization, and rethink their responsibility in light of that awareness. The book attempts to answer, from an educator's viewpoint, the practical but challenging question that Roy Scranton posed a few years ago: "We Are Doomed. Now What?"

This book delivers an unsettling but urgent message to all educators . . . Today, humanity finds itself on the cusp of a long period of inexorable decline and disruption, the likes of which no previous generation has experienced. Large-scale behavioral changes are imperative, not necessarily to ""save the planet"" but to reduce unnecessary pain and suffering. Yet, the vast majority of educators are still functioning in the ""normal"" mode, teaching the same subjects and skills, year after year, even as the nature of the challenges our students will face is undergoing dramatic changes. This mismatch is causing a moral and spiritual crisis that is threatening to make our lives and our work meaningless. Teaching at Twilight invites all educators to take an unflinching look at the rapidly deteriorating state of the earth's life-support system, become aware of its implications for human civilization, and rethink their responsibility in light of that awareness. The book attempts to answer, from an educator's viewpoint, the practical but challenging question that Roy Scranton posed a few years ago: ""We Are Doomed. Now What?""

For 50 years, John B. Cobb, Jr. has been teaching readers that theology is not confined to biblical and doctrinal exegesis but rightly includes economics, politics, education, and science. His prophetic warnings about climate change date back to the early 1970s; his critiques of higher education and American foreign policy are incisive. But for all the pertinence of his views, Cobb has refrained from giving them full expression-until now. In the preface to this book, which he aptly names his "confession," Cobb writes: "My original intention was to write this manuscript primarily for myself. I felt that all my previous writings were written from the perspective of, or directed to, the church community, the theological community, the process community, or a particular organization. I did not state anything in those writings that I do not believe, but not everything that I believe came to expression. My personal priorities were not often clearly expressed. "Before I died, I wanted to write once to state, if only for myself, what I really felt most keenly about, without worrying about whom I might offend. That primary concern has, for many years, been the global crises and the policies of my own country that, on the whole, speed up the move to the destruction of civilization and the physical world that supports life. I have felt called by Jesus' Abba to do what I could for the healthy survival of the biosphere and for an ecological civilization for humans."In these pages, a "here I stand" near the end of a long and prestigious career, Cobb declares his faith, tells us his view of the world, names the dangers we face, and urges us to act.

In a process-relational world, to love God is to be swept up into God's own love for the world. It is to become a participant in God's great compassion. To develop spirituality in this relational world of ours is to develop the habit of attentiveness to the call of the Spirit, which will lead us ever more deeply into lives that are marked by compassion of God.These nine essays form an integral whole, combining a careful analysis of relational dynamics with very practical suggestions for personal and communal ways of intensifying our spirituality. The essays flow from the wellsprings of spirituality in each of our authors; they are "lived" essays, and not simply theoretical discussions. To read the essays, then, is to be invited into the privilege of seeing how the call of the Spirit has been answered in each of these three lives. One can join with them by reading this book meditatively, reflecting on one's own responses to the issues named. But one can also read this book as a kind of manual, giving tested instruction for persons and for communities to focus intentionally on increasing our spiritual awareness. In this sense, then, perhaps the book functions according to its apt title-it may, indeed, represent for us the call of the Spirit. Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki, Professor Emerita, Claremont School of Theology

How do our spiritual beliefs and practices link to our ethics and our care for the natural world around us?John B. Cobb, Jr. and Jay McDaniel join together to provide a view of life that is refreshing, challenging, and expansive. It could even be called all-encompassing. Rather than looking just at how human life can be preserved, with the world itself and the universe beyond as a sort of backdrop, they look at life and divinity in all things, and ask us to look for a way of life that affirms God's presence everywhere.As a result of such an affirmation we may need to change not just our practices, but our very goals. We may need to allow our ambitions to be tempered by the needs of others, not just other human beings, but other living creatures, and all nature.If you would like to develop and consider a world where humanity fits with the web of all life, if you would like to find a way of living non-destructively, if you would like to find a God who suffers with you while working with you to heal and prevent suffering, this book is for you.

What would Jesus do? This is an old question that Christians of each successive generation have had to pose anew if they want to be faithful disciples. In other words, what does it mean to be a follower of Jesus today? A simple answer that has served Christians for centuries is to do as he did. To turn that simple prescription into a plan for living, many have turned the socio-economic emphasis discerned in the gospels into a contemporary ethic of justice. Less discernable, however, has been the political reality of Jesus's teaching and the existential stakes behind it. In this book, Cobb argues that Jesus's mission was to save his people from their bent toward a violent, military-style attempt to overthrow their Roman occupiers. Jesus believed this attempt would be self-destructive, so his mission was to teach the way of nonviolence. Saving his people from Rome and from themselves was the most inclusive mission possible at that time. To follow Jesus today is to adopt the most inclusive mission of our day. That is, our mission must be to save the world from its self-destructive path to climate chaos and to establish instead an ecological civilization.

The church has emphasized ideas about God that have marginalized Jesus' understanding of his spiritual Father, his Abba. We commonly think of God as a demanding lawgiver and judge, an omnipotent ruler, or an ultimate philosophical principle. None of these works well today, p>ln contrast, Jesus' View of God as spiritual Abba still truly works when it is given a chance. Christians should be open to accepting the ideas of the one they call Lord and Savior. In Jesus' Abba, one of the greatest theologians of this generation boldly argues for a new view of God, through the eyes of Jesus John B. Cobb Jr. interprets the whole of Jesus' life and ministry, and death and resurrection, in light of Jesus' understanding of God. He also shows that Paul shared this understanding and that it played a central role in Paul's churches. Ultimately, Cobb argues that Jesus' View of God fits our actual experience today, that it is supported by the evidence of the sciences, and that it encourages appreciative learning from other wisdom traditions and cooperation with them in redeeming the world.

Living Options in Protestant Theology: A Survey of Methods is a book written by John B. Cobb Jr. that explores the different methods used in Protestant theology. The book is divided into three parts: Theological Method, Theological Options, and Theological Issues. In the first part, Cobb discusses the various methods used in Protestant theology, including historical, biblical, philosophical, and experiential. In the second part, he examines the different theological options available to Protestants, including liberal, conservative, and evangelical. Finally, in the third part, Cobb addresses some of the key theological issues facing Protestants today, such as the nature of God, the role of the church, and the relationship between faith and reason. Throughout the book, Cobb provides a thoughtful and nuanced analysis of each method and option, and offers insights into how they can be used to address the challenges facing Protestant theology in the modern world. Overall, Living Options in Protestant Theology is an essential resource for anyone interested in the study of theology, and provides a comprehensive overview of the different approaches and perspectives that exist within the Protestant tradition.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Increasingly world religious traditions present not just an intellectual or apologetic challenge to Christians but a daily encounter, a source of religious practices, and even live religious options. How are Christians to relate to these traditions and the neighbors and friends who live by them? This lively and engaging book is a great resource for faithful wrestling with the new realities in their historical and theological dimensions.

Can a livable society also be sustainable? How can we move beyond anthropocentrism without surrendering humanity's unique contribution to the globe? What of the contradictions conservative economics seems to reveal in so-called liberal approaches to economics and ecology? Does Christianity have anything to say about living in a world of limits? In 'Sustainability', John Cobb argues that reflections on ecological issues inevitably raise religious questions as well. Admittedly, traditional Christian teaching to subdue the earth had contributed to the mindset responsible for the crisis we are facing today. But Christianity can contribute to the discussion of how to keep the planet from ecological disaster. For one thing, Christianity can keep ecological issues closely tied to those of social justice -- a necessity for a sustainable society. Christianity can also make clear the need for individual change of heart (conversion) that is a prerequisite to real social and economic change. As the Earth Summit testified, our world stands in need of new visions, to nurture new ways of integrating its human, mineral, animal, vegetable, and energy components. 'Sustainability' is John Cobb at his best . . . timely, incisive, and vigorous. Good news John Cobb's book shows that, yes, our society can be both sustainable and livable -- news for Christians to read and heed. -- Carol J. Adams author of 'The Sexual Politics of Meat' and editor of 'Ecofeminism and the Sacred' John Cobb has become a major spokesperson in the American Protestant community for the integration of ecology, economics, and Christian theology. For him, the shaping of this critical discourse is a matter of the greatest human urgency, if we are to find the vision and will to save a dying planet. In 'Sustainability' we have Cobb's careful and lucid translation of this complex discussion into language readily accessible to the lay person. -- Rosemary Radford Reuther Professor Emerita, Pacific School of Religion John B. Cobb Jr., formerly professor of theology at Claremont School of Theology, is a major interpreter of process thought. His books include 'Christ in a Pluralistic Age', 'God and the World', and 'A Christian Natural Theology'.

Injured in an automobile accident, Jennifer has been in a coma for three months. When her friends learn that she is near death, they search for a way of coping with the tragedy and finally turn to prayer. Their journey into the nature and mystery of intercessory prayer begins with their first anguished words, Dear God, please don't let Jennifer die. When Jennifer's condition improves for a time, then stops short of complete recovery, her friends begin to ask questions: What is intercessory prayer? Can we really influence God's actions? Why are some prayers answered and others seemingly ignored? Why does God allow evil to exist in the word? As Jennifer's friends continue their experience with intercessory prayer, they seek counsel from their pastor and others. In the process, they learn to assess different theological viewpoints. Praying for Jennifer is a fictional account centered around students and those to whom they turn for guidance: a church education leader, two pastors, a workshop leader, and a teacher. The probing questions the group deals with are common to all who search for an understanding of intercessory prayer.

A distinguished thinker ponders the meaning of Wesley's theology. John B. Cobb, Jr., draws on the historical, critical, and literary work that has characterized Wesley studies in recent years, but moves beyond them to propose one way of reconstructing and reappropriating essential elements of Wesley's thought in service of the church's life and mission.

Many critics of mainstream economics have been calling for a new compass to guide national economic policies because the existing one, the GNP, is broken. They propose a "green national product" which would address the long-term health of the planet and its inhabitants, and focus on sustainability. Toward this end, they propose an Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW), which takes into account such elements as adjustments for income distribution, environmental damage, the value of housework, and resource depletion. Experts in the field of economic development present comments and criticisms regarding the creation of the ISEW and its outcome. The book concludes with the authors' direct response to those critical suggestions, culminating with a revised Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare. Contributors: Robert Eisner, Alan H. Young, Carol S. Carson, Robert R. Gottfried, Thomas Michael Power, E.J. Mishan, Jan Tinbergen, Richard D. Lamm, and Hans Diefenbacher. Co-published with the Human Economy Center.