Henry Nelson Wieman
Encyclopedia
Henry Nelson Wieman was an American philosopher and theologian. He
became the most famous proponent of theocentric naturalism
and the empirical method
in American theology and catalyzed the emergence of Religious Naturalism
in the latter part of the 20th century.
In 1971 - "How can we interpret what operates in human existence to create, sustain, save and transform toward the greatest good, so that scientific research and scientific technology can be applied to searching out and providing the conditions - physical, biological, psychological and social - which must be present for its most effective operation? This operative presence in human existence can be called God..." In this statement he is redefining God in a way that some Religious Naturalists would latch on to.
His was a naturalistic worldview, and as it was religious, a form of neo-theistic Religious Naturalism. For Wieman, God was a natural process or entity and not supernatural. This God was an object of sensuous experience. His God concept was similar to The All
concept of Spinoza and theistic sectors of classical Pantheism
and modern neo-Pantheism but with a liberal Christian tone to it. He had been ordained a Presbyterian
minister in 1912 but in 1949 while teaching at the University of Oregon
became a member of the Unitarian Church
. Nevertheless, he was at the extreme edge of Christian modernism, critical of 20th Century supernaturalism and neo-orthodoxy.
Wieman helped start Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science
which was prompted by discussions at the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science
. Six days after his death in 1975, he was awarded the Unitarian Universalist Association
Award for Distinguished Service to the Cause of Liberal Religion.
became the most famous proponent of theocentric naturalism
Naturalism (philosophy)
Naturalism commonly refers to the philosophical viewpoint that the natural universe and its natural laws and forces operate in the universe, and that nothing exists beyond the natural universe or, if it does, it does not affect the natural universe that we know...
and the empirical method
Empirical method
The empirical method is generally taken to mean the approach of using a collection of data to base a theory or derive a conclusion in science...
in American theology and catalyzed the emergence of Religious Naturalism
Religious naturalism
Religious naturalism is an approach to spirituality that is devoid of supernaturalism. The focus is on the religious attributes of the universe/Nature, the understanding of it and our response to it . These provide for the development of an eco-morality...
in the latter part of the 20th century.
Religious Naturalism
Wieman was instrumental in shaping thinking about Religious Naturalism. In 1963 he wrote, "It is impossible to gain knowledge of the total cosmos or to have any understanding of the infinity transcending the cosmos. Consequently, beliefs about these matters are illusions, cherished for their utility in producing desired states of mind. . . . Nothing can transform man unless it operates in human life. Therefore, in human life, in the actual processes of human existence, must be found the saving and transforming power which religious inquiry seeks and which faith must apprehend."In 1971 - "How can we interpret what operates in human existence to create, sustain, save and transform toward the greatest good, so that scientific research and scientific technology can be applied to searching out and providing the conditions - physical, biological, psychological and social - which must be present for its most effective operation? This operative presence in human existence can be called God..." In this statement he is redefining God in a way that some Religious Naturalists would latch on to.
His was a naturalistic worldview, and as it was religious, a form of neo-theistic Religious Naturalism. For Wieman, God was a natural process or entity and not supernatural. This God was an object of sensuous experience. His God concept was similar to The All
The All
The All is the Hermetic or panentheistic view of God, which is that everything that is, or at least that can be experienced, collectively makes up The All...
concept of Spinoza and theistic sectors of classical Pantheism
Pantheism
Pantheism is the view that the Universe and God are identical. Pantheists thus do not believe in a personal, anthropomorphic or creator god. The word derives from the Greek meaning "all" and the Greek meaning "God". As such, Pantheism denotes the idea that "God" is best seen as a process of...
and modern neo-Pantheism but with a liberal Christian tone to it. He had been ordained a Presbyterian
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
minister in 1912 but in 1949 while teaching at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
became a member of the Unitarian Church
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
. Nevertheless, he was at the extreme edge of Christian modernism, critical of 20th Century supernaturalism and neo-orthodoxy.
Wieman helped start Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science
Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science
Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science is an academic journal published quarterly by Wiley-Blackwell.Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science is a premier scholarly journal publishing in the area of religion and science dialogue since 1966 until present....
which was prompted by discussions at the Institute on Religion in an Age of Science
Institute on Religion in an Age of Science
The Institute on Religion in an Age of Science is a non-denominational society that promotes and facilitates the ongoing dialectic between religion and science. Both members of IRAS and non-members congregate at the IRAS conference held annually at Star Island in New Hampshire.-History:IRAS...
. Six days after his death in 1975, he was awarded the Unitarian Universalist Association
Unitarian Universalist Association
Unitarian Universalist Association , in full the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in North America, is a liberal religious association of Unitarian Universalist congregations formed by the consolidation in 1961 of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of...
Award for Distinguished Service to the Cause of Liberal Religion.
Major publications
- Religious Experience and Scientific Method - Macmillan, 1926
- Religious experience and scientific method Arcturus books - Southern Illinois University Press, 1971
- The Source of Human Good - Southern Illinois Univ. Press, 1967
- The Wrestle of Religion with Truth - Macmillan, 1929
- Is there a God?: A conversation by Henry Nelson Wieman - Willett, Clark & Company, 1932
- Now We Must Choose - The Macmillan company, 1941
- American Philosophies of Religion - Henry Nelson Wieman, Bernard Eugene Meland, Willett, Clark & Company, 1936
- Seeking a Faith for a New Age ; Essays on the Interdependence of Religion, Science, and Philosophy - Scarecrow Press, 1975, ISBN 0810807955
- Religious Inquiry: Some Explorations - Beacon Press, 1968
- Methods of Private Religious Living - Macmillan, 1929
- Man's Ultimate Commitment - Southern Illinois University Press, 1958
- Religious Liberals Reply - Beacon Press, 1947
- The Growth of Religion - Henry Nelson Wieman, Walter Marshall Horton - Willett, Clark, 1938
External links
- Unitarian Universalist Association Unitarian Universalist Association
- Henry Nelson Wieman: Philosopher of Natural Religion, Notable American Unitarians 1936-1961 Notable American Unitarians 1936-1961Unitarian Universalist Association Unitarian Universalist Association Unitarian Universalist Association