What is the Churches philosophical stand on these doctrines?

[Patty23]

Hello everyone!

I just want to know what is our Churches’ on these philosophical doctrines.

Process thought,
Pierre Tielhard de Chardin’s theories and,
Phenomenology

Thanks I hope to hear from you guys.

 

[awatkins69]

Process thought is downright heretical. It is completely contrary to the doctrine of the Incarnation, the traditional attributes of God, Catholic philosophy, etc.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s work was condemned by the Holy Office, and rightly so. He was critiqued by Thomists such as Jacques Maritain and Etienne Gilson, who essentially give the traditional Catholic philosophical viewpoint.

Phenomenology is a little bit different. It’s actually been developed by orthodox scholars and the whole idea of intentionality was prefigured by the medieval Catholic scholastics. Max Scheler, Dietrich von Hildebrand and Saint Edith Stein are good examples of Catholics working within the field.

Hope that helps!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . .
Phenomenology is a little bit different. It’s actually been developed by orthodox scholars and the whole idea of intentionality was prefigured by the medieval Catholic scholastics. Max Scheler, Dietrich von Hildebrand and Saint Edith Stein are good examples of Catholics working within the field.

Hope that helps!

I think one can add Pope John Paul II to that list.

 

[Patty23]

Thanks! Can you expound more why process thought is heretical in itself and with regard to the incarnation?

 

[awatkins69]

Thanks! Can you expound more why process thought is heretical in itself and with regard to the incarnation?

Well, it’s mostly in regard to the influence of process theory on philosophy and theology, especially the influence of Alfred North Whitehead. In effect, process theologians deny the Incarnation of Christ in the individual person of Jesus. Advocates of process theology are also prone to religious indifferentism, arguing that all religions are manifestations of Divine providence, and that all Scripture is just human interpretation of the Divine rather than an example of God giving infallible guidance. There are many other examples than this. One can see how these opinions are irreconcilable with Catholic doctrine and philosophy.

If you’re interested in an analytic criticism of process philosophy and theology, I must admit that it would be far beyond the scope of my abilities. I wonder if there are others here more capable than I who could help, if that is even what you’re looking for. But I hope that at least show you where problems arise between traditional Catholic philosophy and process philosophy. God bless!

 

[MormonHero]

Is there an official response to Process Theology from the Magisterium?

 

[Patty23]

Well, it’s mostly in regard to the influence of process theory on philosophy and theology, especially the influence of Alfred North Whitehead. In effect, process theologians deny the Incarnation of Christ in the individual person of Jesus. Advocates of process theology are also prone to religious indifferentism, arguing that all religions are manifestations of Divine providence, and that all Scripture is just human interpretation of the Divine rather than an example of God giving infallible guidance. There are many other examples than this. One can see how these opinions are irreconcilable with Catholic doctrine and philosophy.

If you’re interested in an analytic criticism of process philosophy and theology, I must admit that it would be far beyond the scope of my abilities. I wonder if there are others here more capable than I who could help, if that is even what you’re looking for. But I hope that at least show you where problems arise between traditional Catholic philosophy and process philosophy. God bless!

Thanks. I was listening to one of Peter Kreeft’s lectures and he mentioned process theology having a negative tone about it. I have so much respect for Peter Kreeft that is why I became curious about process theology and process thought.

 

[awatkins69]

Is there an official response to Process Theology from the Magisterium?

Not directly. However, all the doctrines that are associated with it directly contradict Church doctrine, and so it’s not necessary to condemn it specifically. It’s kind of like Nietzsche. The Church didn’t need to give an official condemnation because his contradicting Church teaching was obvious. Unlike the heresy of modernism, which had to be condemned officially and publicly because some Catholic professors were embracing it. And now that people aren’t required to take the oath against modernism it’s obvious why it was so necessary by the modern effects.

 

[awatkins69]

Thanks. I was listening to one of Peter Kreeft’s lectures and he mentioned process theology having a negative tone about it. I have so much respect for Peter Kreeft that is why I became curious about process theology and process thought.

I’m glad that helps. Yeah, Kreeft is pretty orthodox and is a pretty good apologist as well. Where was he talking about process thought though? Whenever I hear him he’s debating things like the existence of God and problem of evil.

 

[Patty23]

I downloaded his lectures on his website i think there are 30 of them. I’m forgot what specific lecture it was mentioned so you have to listen to all of them haha. He did not discuss about process thought but mentioned it along with the other forms of dangerous philosophical errors like reductionism and deconstructionism.

 

[Patty23]

Not directly. However, all the doctrines that are associated with it directly contradict Church doctrine, and so it’s not necessary to condemn it specifically. It’s kind of like Nietzsche. The Church didn’t need to give an official condemnation because his contradicting Church teaching was obvious. Unlike the heresy of modernism, which had to be condemned officially and publicly because some Catholic professors were embracing it. And now that people aren’t required to take the oath against modernism it’s obvious why it was so necessary by the modern effects.

I think I disagree with you that process theology is obviously heretical like Nietzche’s philosophy. I know some seminaries that offer process theology and the professors are priests who sincerely love God. But I still know that their love for God doesn’t make their teachings right. I can’t speak of any heresy related to process theology and process thought as of now. As I’ve said in my previous post, Peter Kreeft is the one who provoked my thoughts on process theology. I kinda trust him more than any contemporary philosopher.

 

[awatkins69]

I downloaded his lectures on his website i think there are 30 of them. I’m forgot what specific lecture it was mentioned so you have to listen to all of them haha. He did not discuss about process thought but mentioned it along with the other forms of dangerous philosophical errors like reductionism and deconstructionism.

Neat. I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks.

 

[MormonHero]

Well, it’s mostly in regard to the influence of process theory on philosophy and theology, especially the influence of Alfred North Whitehead. In effect, process theologians deny the Incarnation of Christ in the individual person of Jesus.

Process theologians don’t deny the Incarnation.

 

[awatkins69]

Well, they don’t technically. However, they say that God became incarnate in all of us, in some sort of strange modernist way. And it’s not the same as the Mystical Body of Christ, because for them there was no individual Christ. God bless.