In this Pop-Up, Bruce Epperly will draw from his book The God of the Growing Edge: Whitehead and Thurman on Theology, Spirituality, and Social Change to explore the intersecting spiritual visions of two towering figures: Alfred North Whitehead, the eminent philosopher and process theologian, and Howard Thurman, the influential African American mystic, theologian, and civil rights leader. Investigating these thinkers’ complementary strengths offers a timely resource for contemplative activists seeking a deeper integration of spirituality and social transformation in our turbulent times.

Whitehead’s metaphysics provides a robust intellectual framework for understanding a universe of interconnectedness, change, and possibility, while Thurman’s lived experience of oppression and spiritual resistance infuses this framework with prophetic urgency and practical wisdom. Together, they offer a powerful and timely message for today’s world. Exploring this “growing edge” of faith offers a compelling path toward a more just, compassionate, and sustainable future.

This Pop-Up will also serve as a jumping off point for Bruce’s upcoming course with Process & Faith, Exploring Global Mysticism through a Process Lens, beginning May 6.

Quotes

“Always there seems to be something more to be experienced, to be felt, to know. My mind rejects any conclusion as being final. The greatest source of hope, therefore, for both the present and the future, is the awareness of the potential in me, in other people, in life itself.”

Howard Thurman, in an introduction to A Track to the Water’s Edge: An Olive Schreiner Reader

“The vigour of civilized societies is preserved by the wide-spread sense that high aims are worthwhile. Vigorous societies harbour a certain extravagance of objectives so that [people] wander beyond the safe provision of personal gratifications… the perfection of life resides in aims beyond the individual person in question.”

Alfred North Whitehead, Adventures of Ideas

About the Speaker

Bruce Epperly

Bruce Epperly, PhD has spent over forty years in the varied vocations of seminary and university professor, university chaplain, congregational pastor, and seminary administrator. He is the author of over sixty books in theology, spirituality, health and healing, scripture, politics, and ministerial excellence and wellbeing, including The Elephant is Running: Process and Open and Relational Theologies and Religious Pluralism; Process Theology: Embracing Adventure with God; Mystics in Action: Twelve Saints for Today; Prophetic Healing: Howard Thurman’s Vision of Contemplative Activism; and Francis of Assisi: From Privilege to Activism. Follow his work at Patheos: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/livingaholyadventure/

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