Beyond the Unmoved Mover: Why Process Theology Offers a Better God for Our Time

By Adis Duderija, New Age Islam 27 August 2025 This piece was directly inspired by Centre for Process Spirituality . For centuries, the dominant conception of Godespecially in so-called monotheistic religions has been shaped by classical theism—a vision of the divine as omnipotent, omniscient, immutable, and wholly transcendent. Rooted in Platonic and Aristotelian metaphysics and systematized by thinkers like Augustine, Anselm, and Aquinas, classical theism portrays God as the unmoved mover, untouched by time, emotion, or change. While this model has offered philosophical rigor and theological stability, it has also left many modern seekers spiritually unsatisfied and ethically troubled. In a world wracked by suffering, ecological collapse, and moral complexity, the idea of a God who is impassible and unaffected by the world’s pain feels not only distant but morally inadequate. Enter Process Theology—a radically different vision of divinity that is dynamic, relational, and deeply attuned to the rhythms of life. God in Process Theology offers a rich and multifaceted map of this alternative, presenting six interwoven approaches that together form a theology of divine intimacy, creativity, and transformation. 1. A God Who Suffers and Rejoices With Us Unlike the God of classical theism, who remains untouched by human emotion, Process Theology begins with the idea that God is a companion to the world’s sufferings and joys. Drawing from Alfred North Whitehead’s concept of the “consequent nature of God,” this approach affirms that God is not a distant observer but a fellow sufferer who understands, a deep listener, and a great compassion. This is a God who feels, who responds, who co-experiences the beauty and tragedy of existence. Such a vision is not only more emotionally resonant but ethically superior. It affirms the dignity of human experience and offers a divine presence that is truly empathetic. In contrast to the cold perfection of classical theism, Process Theology offers a God who is perfect in love, not in detachment. 2. A God Who Guides Without Coercion Classical theism often imagines divine power as omnipotent control, a sovereign will that determines all things. Process Theology rejects this model in favour of persuasive power, i.e. a God who lures creation toward beauty, harmony, and intensity. God is the inner teacher, the initial aim in every moment, gently guiding without overriding freedom. This approach aligns with contemporary understandings of agency, evolution, and moral development. It affirms that God works with the world, not over it, inviting each creature to participate in the unfolding of novelty and meaning. Such a God is not an authoritarian figure but a co-creator, empowering rather than dominating. 3. A God Who Is Interwoven With the Cosmos Classical theism draws a sharp line between Creator and creation, often leading to a dualistic worldview that devalues the material world. Process Theology, by contrast, sees the universe as “God’s body” or “World Soul” , the visible side of God’s life, and the objective content of God’s ongoing experience. God is not separate from the world but intimately interwoven with it. This panentheistic vision is not only more ecologically responsible but more spiritually inclusive. It invites reverence for the Earth, for diversity, and for the sacredness of all life. In a time of environmental crisis, such a theology fosters a sense of cosmic kinship, reminding us that to harm the planet is to wound the divine. 4. A God Who Is the Everlasting Song of the Universe Where classical theism emphasises divine immutability and perfection, Process Theology celebrates divine dynamism. God is the living whole of the universe, the adventure of the universe as One, the weaver of wholes, and the harmony of harmonies. This is a God who evolves, who responds, who sings the universe into being moment by moment. Such a vision is not only more compatible with modern science but more spiritually inspiring. It affirms that we are part of a cosmic symphony, co-creating with God through our choices, relationships, and creativity. It replaces static perfection with living beauty, inviting us into a theology of participation rather than passivity. 5. A God Who Transforms Through Love Classical theism often struggles to account for change, novelty, and moral growth. Process Theology places these at the centre of divine action. God is the spirit of creative transformation, the power of love, forgiveness, and adaptation in human life. God is the indwelling lure toward wholeness, constantly inviting us to become more than we are. This is a theology of hope that is not grounded in divine intervention but in divine empowerment. It affirms that transformation is possible, that healing is real, and that love is the most powerful force in the universe. In contrast to the static perfection of classical theism, Process Theology offers a God who is perfecting, always moving toward greater beauty and justice. 6. A God Who Is the Deep Mind of the Universe Even as Process Theology affirms divine immanence, it does not abandon transcendence. It speaks of God’s primordial nature, a timeless mind filled with pure potentialities, a placeless place where divine decisions for order and love are made. This is not the frozen eternity of classical theism but a source of possibility, a wellspring of creativity. This metaphysical depth provides coherence to the process vision. It affirms that beneath the flux of existence lies a divine intentionality expressed as a commitment to love, order, and novelty. It bridges mysticism and philosophy, suggesting that the deepest truths of reality are not only logical but also experiential. Forms of Islamic mysticism such as that of Ibn ‘al Arabi and the School of Love resonate strongly with this understanding of the Divine and can be further developed for the purposes of a systematic Islamic process-relational theology. ( This author is a book series editor of a recently established book serieson Islam and process-relational thought published by Routledge) Why Process Theology Is a Better Alternative Process Theology is not merely a revision of classical theism—it is a paradigm shift. It replaces the metaphysics of stasis with a metaphysics of becoming, the ethics of control with the ethics of compassion, and the spirituality of detachment with the spirituality of participation. It offers a God who is more relatable, more ethical, more scientifically credible, and more spiritually nourishing. In contrast to the God of classical theism who is often portrayed as remote, immutable, and morally inscrutable—Process Theology offers a God who is deeply involved, emotionally present, and ethically compelling. It affirms that God is not the cause of suffering but the companion in it; not the controller of history but the co-creator of its possibilities. This theology is especially vital today. In a world facing climate catastrophe, social fragmentation, and spiritual disillusionment, we need a vision of God that speaks to our deepest needs and highest aspirations. Process Theology offers such a vision—a God who is with us, for us, and within us. Conclusion: A Theology for the Future The image "God in Process Theology" is a manifesto for a new way of thinking about divinity. It invites us to move beyond the limitations of classical theism and embrace a God who is alive, responsive, and loving. It offers a theology that is not only intellectually robust but existentially transformative. In the words of Charles Hartshorne, one of process thought’s great champions, “God is supreme in love, not in coercive power.” That simple shift changes everything. It opens the door to a spirituality of compassion, creativity, and hope—a theology not of fear and submission but of joy and co-creation. And perhaps, in embracing this vision, we can begin to heal not only our understanding of God but our relationship with the world, with each other, and with ourselves. ------ Checkout Dr. Adis Duderija’s personal website at: https://dradisduderija.com/ A decades old patron of New Age Islam, Dr Adis Duderija is a Senior Lecturer in the Study of Islam and Society, School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science; Senior Fellow Centre for Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue, Griffith University | Nathan | Queensland | Australia. His forthcoming books are (co-edited) - Shame, Modesty, and Honour in Islam and Interfaith Engagement beyond the Divide (Springer) URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/unmoved-mover-theology-god-time/d/136621 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism