Topic: CONFESSIONS

Presenters: John Cobb

Another book by John Cobb, Confessions, has been published this spring in the “Theological Explorations” series by Process Century Press. Dr. Cobb says in his preface, “Before I died I wanted to write once to state, if only for myself, what I really feel most keenly about, without worrying about whom I might offend. . . .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 humanity.” He asks how, as a disciple of Jesus, we resist self-destructive planning toward nuclear holocaust and planetary destruction.

The first six chapters articulate commitments we need to gain from Jesus–loving enemies, loving Jesus’ Abba, serving Abba rather than money, opening science to wider truth, loving ‘the least of these’ (including non-humans), and finding Jesus’ proclamation of the baseileia tou theou in the quest for ecological civilization. The next chapters aim to overcome the Western Worldview by “thinking historically,” assisted by Alfred North Whitehead’s “Inclusive Vision.” Specific attention is given to what we can do in the United States, especially in our Foreign Policy. Americans can “learn the truth” and “challenge the goal” of US global domination. He closes the book with reflection on “The Gender of God and the Role of Women in the Church.” 

John invited the Rev. Bonnie Tarwater to write a final chapter, “Can Women Save Discipleship to Jesus?” An Appendix provides specific suggestions for “Guidelines for Earth Crisis Support Groups.” Drawing from her experience in Twelve-Step programs, Pastor Bonnie extends “an invitation to you to begin a group for sharing the truth of our interconnected lives.”

Bonnie Tarwater, pastor of Church of Our Common Home,  and Jeanyne Slettom, publisher of Process Century Press, will be available to join our conversation with John Cobb about his Confessions.  Read the book, or at least scan the table of contents and preface, and come prepared to “Ask Dr. Cobb” and to reflect on your own “confessions.”

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