Charles Robert Mesle (born ) is an American process theologian and was professor of philosophy and

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, until his retirement in 2016. After earning a

Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four year ...

degree in religion at Graceland University (1972) and a

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degree in Christian theology at

University of Chicago Divinity School The University of Chicago Divinity School is a private graduate institution at the University of Chicago dedicated to the training of academics and clergy across religious boundaries. Formed under Baptist auspices, the school today lacks any s ...

(1975), Mesle received a

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degree in philosophy and religion from

Northwestern University Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Founded in 1851, Northwestern is the oldest chartered university in Illinois and is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in the world. Charte ...

(1980). Mesle is the author of ''Process Theology: A Basic Introduction''. In this book he outlines three attributes of a process theology. There is a relational character to the divine such as: *God experiences both the joy and suffering of humanity. *God is not omnipotent in the classical sense *God exercises relational power and not unilateral control. In chapter 17, he formulates a process naturalism. As a naturalist his religious view is one without a divine being. There is only the finite world. His process naturalism shares with process theism recognition of the ambiguity of Existence. It also has virtually every value and ethical standard in common with process theism and religious in this respect. Consequently, Mesle is a religious naturalist.

Works

*''Process-Relational Philosophy: An Introduction to Alfred North Whitehead''. Templeton Foundation Press, 2008. *''Theology 9: Process Theology and Religious Pluralism'', Co-editor, with Joni Wilson, Graceland Press, 2002, and published in Korean, 2003. *''Theology V: The Jesus Seminar'' (editor) "Preface" & "Jesus the Challenge," Graceland/Park Press, Independence, MO 1998. *''Process Theology: A Basic Introduction'', with a concluding chapter by John B. Cobb, Jr., Chalice Press, 1993. *''John Hick's Theodicy'', with a response by John Hick, Macmillan in the UK and St. Martin's in the US, 1991. *''The Bible as Story and Struggle'', Herald House, 1989. *''Fire In My Loins: A Study in Faith and Belief'', Herald House, 1984

External links

Mesle's Homepage
* American Christian theologians Process theologians 1950 births Living people Year of birth uncertain Graceland University alumni Graceland University faculty University of Chicago Divinity School alumni Northwestern University alumni {{US-theologian-stub

Works

See also

External links