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[Sticky] Welcome to Christian Process Explorations!

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(@sherikling)
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Welcome! We are so glad that you have enrolled in this group. Please feel free to start new threads of topics for discussion and to respond to others.

Of course, we expect that we would all conduct our conversations in respectful and relational ways and approach differences of opinion with curiosity and grace.

We look forward to engaging with you in these rich explorations!

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(@bluelotus)
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Hi all,

Is “Creativity “ the same as God’s primordial nature?

Thanks, Rick Cosci 

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Posts: 5
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(@sherikling)
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Hi Rick,

Sorry that I'm only now seeing this. That's a really great question. 
In some ways, Whitehead talks about the primordial nature as Eros, and also as being less concerned about morality. He seems almost willing to equate the primordial nature with creativity, but then I think he loses his nerve there and wants to keep a separation.

Most process theologians don't want to make God the possible cause of evil and suffering, and so they want to keep creativity separate from God. Whitehead considered Creativity one of the four "principles" at work in the cosmos (the principles are 1) the spatio-temporal process of forming and perishing entities; 2) eternal objects, or possibilities available to be actualized; 3) God, the dipolar entity that envisions value, offers relevant possibilities in the form of eternal objects, and receives the actions of the world, holding them in divine memory and responding with compassionate and redemptive love; and 4) creativity, the active principle that answers the question of “why”—why there is anything at all rather than nothing.”)

But personally, I'm willing to at least explore the possibility that the primordial nature and creativity are the same.

Sheri

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