ORT Shorts

In this episode, Dr. Oord discusses the recent Speaking to a Modern World conference which took place in Charlotte, NC gathering together Open and Relational Theologians from across the country.   The conference was hosted by Russ Dean, co-pastor of Park Road Baptist Church, who has written a new book entitled The Story as We Have Received It:  On the Making of Gospel Truth To access audio recordi...

In this episode, Dr. Oord engages the new book from pediatrician and Open and Relational theologian Dr. Chris Hanson. Dr. Hanson's book, entitled Open and Relational Parenting: Loving Parents Reflecting a Loving God , bridges child development research with open and relational theology to present a transformative model for modern parenting which rejects authoritarian parenting styles often ro...

In this episode Dr. Oord engages with the work of Tracy Tucker and his new book, Can We Talk About Death?: An Open and Relational Vision. For chaplain and theologian Tracy Tucker, both the language of life and death reflects one's thoughts and convictions and his new book explores (un)healthy language and pathways for speaking about death and walking alongside those approaching the end of lif...

In this episode, Dr. Oord engages the theme of prayer in conversation with Gayle Hansen Browne's new book, Wild Geese Rising: Living Prayer as Moment-by-Moment Contemplative Action . For Hansen Browne, prayer arises as a way of beholding and befriending life. This book transforms the practice of “saying our prayers” into an instinctive way of living prayer as moment-by-moment contemplative ac...

In this episode Dr. Oord discusses the annual upcoming Theology Beer Camp which will include special Open and Relational Theology pre-sessions. This year Theology Beer Camp takes place October 16-18 in St. Paul, Minnesota with the pre-Theology ORT sessions taking place the morning of October 16. For information and registration visit: https://www.theologybeercamp2025.com/

In this episode, Dr. Oord discusses the theme of divine hiddenness in conversation with a new book by Tim Miller entitled The Silence of the Lamb: Exploring the Hiddenness of Christ and God In the book, Tim Miller highlights a variety of explanations over the centuries for why a God of love might exist yet seem so silent and hidden, giving particular attention to Process and Open and Relational id...

In this episode, Dr. Oord interacts with the new book from Chris Baker, The Invitation: How Open and Relational Theology Enhances N.T. Wright's Use of Vocation in Atonement. In this new book, Chris Baker attempts to express the strengths of N.T. Wright's connection between vocation and atonement as seen through the lens of Open and Relational Theology.

In this episode Dr. Oord engages with the book written by Tripp Fuller entitled, Divine Self Investment: An Open and Relational Constructive Christology. In the book, Fuller offers a robust constructive Christology that engages three theological registers - historical, existential, and metaphysical.  Beginning Christology not from above or below but from within the Disciple’s confession of Jesus a...

In this episode Dr. Oord discusses an essay from Michael Rose entitled, A Beautiful Hope.  This essay is one of many compiled in volume 1 of a 2 volume work which interacts further with the ideas of amipotence in Dr. Oord's book, The Death of Omnipotence and Birth of Amipotence.

In this episode, Dr. Oord discusses an essay from Andre Rabe entitled, The Miraculous Nature of Our World in which he discusses and nuances an Open and Relational understanding of miracles . This essay is one of many compiled in volume 2 of a 2 volume work interacting further with the ideas of amipotence in Dr. Oord's book, The Death of Omnipotence and Birth of Amipotence.

In this episode, Dr. Oord re-engages with a new book from C.S. Pearce and Philip Clayton entitled, Science and the Sacred: Beyond the Gods in Our Image. In this beautifully written book, an atheist (Pearce) and a theist (Clayton) explore the intersection points of science and the Sacred. Despite their differences, both authors find themselves in agreement that believing in a God who is both good a...

In this episode Dr. Oord engages with a new book from C.S. Pearce and Philip Clayton entitled, Science and the Sacred: Beyond the Gods in Our Image. In this beautifully written book, an atheist (Pearce) and a theist (Clayton) explore the intersection points of science and the Sacred. Honestly acknowledging their differences, they discover unexpected common ground across every branch of science and...

In this episode Dr. Oord engages with a new book from Clifford Chalmers Cain entitled, God, Pandemics and the Holocaust . In the book, Cain honestly explores conceptions of God no longer satisfactory to human experience, and understandings of God that can make sense in a world that is both wonderful and woeful.

In this episode, Dr. Oord discusses an essay from Josh Patterson entitled, Amipotence (Perhaps) in which he engages with the work of John Caputo . This essay is one of many compiled in volume 2 of a 2 volume work interacting further with the ideas of amipotence in Dr. Oord's book, The Death of Omnipotence and Birth of Amipotence. Josh will also be a speaker at the annual Open and Relational C...

What drives some people to embrace high handed leaders and Christian Nationalism while other people don't?  This is the question explored in this episode where Dr. Oord shares an excerpt from the book he co-authored with Tripp Fuller entitled God After Deconstruction .  In a chapter on Christian Nationalism Oord and Fuller engage with the work of Dr. John Sanders who, in his book Embracing Pr...

In this episode, Dr. Oord engages with the book entitled The Old Testament and Process Theology by Robert Gnuse. Gnuse writes in his book commenting on the relationality of God with creation in the Old Testament, "To speak of God as active in human history implies that God can enter into a process of interrelationship involving contingency and change-- not only for humanity, but for God.&quot...

In this episode, Dr. Oord discusses an essay from Doral Hayes entitled, Uncontrolled Worship.   This essay is one of many compiled in volume 2 of a 2 volume work interacting further with the ideas of amipotence in Dr. Oord's book, The Death of Omnipotence and Birth of Amipotence. Doral Hayes will be one of the speakers at the upcoming Uncontrolling Love of God Conference in the UK on June 4-6...

In this episode, Dr. Oord discusses a book of 12 essays edited by Dr. Andrew Davis entitled, From Force to Persuasion: Process-Relational Perspectives on Power and the God of Love Each of the 12 essays, written from esteemed process-relational theologians, focuses on reframing understandings of divine power in light of the essential divine attribute--love.

In this episode, Dr. Oord discusses an essay from Shaleen Kendrick entitled, Neural Relational Amipotence. This essay is one of many compiled in volume 2 of a 2 volume work interacting further with the ideas of amipotence in Dr. Oord's book, The Death of Omnipotence and Birth of Amipotence. Shaleen Kendrick will also be one of the many speakers at ORTCON25. ORTCON25 the annual Open and Relati...

In this episode, Dr. Oord discusses a new book from Keith Ward entitled, Karl Barth on Religion: A Critique .  In this study, Keith Ward offers a detailed critique of Barth's views on religion and revelation as articulated in Church Dogmatics. ORTCON25 the annual Open and Relational Conference (ORTCON25) will take place from June 30 - July 4 at the beautiful Grand Targhee Resort in the Grand...

In this episode, Dr. Oord discusses an essay from Chris Hanson entitled, Theology, Pediatrics and Everyday Life. This essay is one of many compiled in volume 2 of a 2 volume work interacting further with the ideas of amipotence in Dr. Oord's book, The Death of Omnipotence and Birth of Amipotence. Chris will also be a speaker at the annual Open and Relational Conference (ORTCON25) will take pl...

In this episode, Dr. Oord engages with the recently published book, Whitehead and Teilhard: From Organism to Omega .  The book, edited by Ilia Delio and Andrew Davis, is a compilation of essays interacting with the work of philosopher Alfred North Whitehead and paleontologist and theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. The Center for Christogenesis will be hosting an upcoming online conference May...

The first ever Open and Relational Theology in the UK will take place June 4 - 6 at the Highgate House Conference Centre, a beautiful venue in Northampton, United Kingdom, perfect for deep conversations and meaningful connections.  Accommodation is ensuite and full board. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to delve into the mysteries of divine love! For more information and registration for the co...

In this episode Dr. Oord engages with the new book from Michael Brennan entitled Flourish: An Open and Relational Queer Theology .  Michael Brennan will be one of many speakers at the upcoming Open and Relational Theology Conference (ORTCON25) June 30 - July 4. For information and registration visit:  https://c4ort.com/ortcon/

The annual Open and Relational Conference (ORTCON25) will take place from June 30 - July 4 at the beautiful Grand Targhee Resort in the Grand Teton mountains of Wyoming. ORTCON25 brings together scholars, leaders, pastors, and activists.  The conference provides workshops, lectures, and social activities to deepen relationships and present new ways of imagining God and the universe. A number of Op...