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The Uncontrolling Love of God

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About|Details|What our students say|Tutor(s)|Related short courses

Home Short Courses Ministry Theology, Imagination & Culture The Uncontrolling Love of God

The Uncontrolling Love of God course

To say that God cannot control anyone or anything has positive implications for thinking about suffering and evil.

The implications are even broader. It helps when thinking about dramatic religious experiences, or the lack thereof. It helps us make sense of scripture, both the profoundly helpful and hurtful parts. It helps us consider issues of climate change, politics, the hiddenness of God, and deconstruction.

But can a God who can’t control create the universe? Can this God “win” at the eschaton? How do we pray if God is uncontrolling? And what about miracles?

This course lays out all of the implications and proposes constructive answers to the biggest questions we should ask about an uncontrolling love theology.

with Thomas Jay Oord, PhD, a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. Oord directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology and doctoral students at Northwind Theological Seminary. He is an award-winning author and has written or edited more than thirty books. A gifted speaker, Oord lectures at universities, conferences, churches, and institutions.

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Book Event

Early bird online ticket #2647 £35

This is the early bird rate which cannot be used with any other discount offer. This is an online course delivered via Zoom.

Available Tickets: 8
The Early bird online ticket #2647 ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.
Online ticket #2647 £40

This is an online course delivered via Zoom.

Available Tickets: 35
The Online ticket #2647 ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

Details

Dates & Times

14 Oct 2025
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Category

Ministry
Theology, Imagination & Culture

Course code

2647

Other Notes

This is a half-day online course to be delivered via Zoom.

 

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What our students say

Riveting!

Book of Revelation course

Someone on the course said it was ‘riveting!’ This was exactly what I felt. The course was a total joy because of the tutor’s handouts, excellence and Sarum College hospitality.
Mark Oakley

Faith is an imaginative adventure

The Very Revd Dr Mark Oakley

I admire the work and tone of Sarum College very deeply. It is a community that takes theology and spirituality seriously, not as hobbies but as pursuits into understanding, and engaging in, a complex world.

Sarum College reminds us that faith is an imaginative adventure and that it is shaped by a questioning joy.

Vibrant approach to theology

Fr Azariah France-Williams

I’ve been particularly struck by the refreshing approach to theological education here. In a world, and indeed within parts of the church, where faith can sometimes feel stagnant or out of touch, Sarum offers a vibrant and relevant alternative. The courses encourage a bold exploration of profound ideas, connecting with truths that lie beneath the surface and fostering genuine personal growth, which feels particularly significant as I approach my 50th year. This counter-cultural spirit, which embraces depth and challenges ageism and fear, is truly remarkable. Sarum is a place where individuals can be transformed by engaging with a living and breathing faith.

 

 

Well worth taking the time

Disability Theology: Theory and Practice

I took time to attend the course out of a busy working week and it was well worth taking that time. I have so many things to ponder and reflect on from this course and a helpful further reading list to keep me going for a few months! Thank you Sarum College

 

Netflix, Theology and Pastoral Practice

Peter Butchers on his MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture student experience

How do cultural tropes, like those found in Black Mirror, help bridge the gap between what academic theology espouses and what the everyday Christian believes? In his research as a student on the MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture, Peter Butchers explored platonic philosophy, digital theology and eschatology, and pastoral practice around death and dying.

Read more 

Rewarding Sabbatical Stay

The Revd Greg Syler, is Rector of Ascension & St. George’s, Resurrection Parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC USA, spent part of his ministry sabbatical at Sarum College in spring 2022.

His account of the experience begins: ‘I loved spending nearly three weeks of my ministry sabbatical at Sarum College earlier this year.

Not only did I rest, and rest well in the comfortable care of the Sarum College staff, I experienced very significant renewal and fresh insights.’

Read more

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