Religious Socialism Podcast · DSA Religion and Socialism Commission

The Uncontrolling Love of God | Jeff Wells

·45 min·4 clips

A former Trotskyist revolutionary explains how a spiritual reawakening led him to become a Methodist pastor.

This episode of the Religious Socialism Podcast features host Ralph and guest Jeff Wells, a United Methodist pastor and co-editor of "Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God." Wells shares his journey from being a Trotskyist organizer to a clergyperson embracing open and relational theology. The conversation centers on the theological perspective that God is loving but not controlling, contrasting it with traditional Calvinist views of predestination. They discuss how this theology addresses the problem of suffering by positing a God who accompanies and lures creation toward goodness without determining outcomes. The episode highlights the multi-faith appeal of process thought and its natural alignment with socialist and ecological principles. Wells explains the origin of his book, which features 68 contributors offering sermons, essays, and worship resources from this theological viewpoint. He describes the book's diverse content, including a funeral sermon, a wedding sermon, and an essay on a transgender naming ceremony. A key insight is that this theology provides a constructive foundation for progressive Christians who have deconstructed their faith but seek a spiritual path. The discussion notes how the theology encourages a shift from rugged individualism to a focus on interconnectedness and relationality. Wells shares that the editing process deepened his appreciation for the "open and relational" stream, particularly its resonance with those leaving evangelicalism. He recommends specific essays in the book, like Jonathan Foster's "Deep Withness" and Sheri Kling's work on composing hymns. The tone is conversational and educational, blending personal narrative with theological explanation. Listeners interested in progressive Christianity, process theology, or the intersection of faith and leftist politics will find this episode engaging. Those seeking dogmatic theological debate or a conservative perspective may prefer to skip it.

As heard by us

A measured look at how process theology moves from sermons into congregational practice.

The episode follows Jeff Wells as he connects Preaching the Uncontrolling Love of God to a pastoral interest in process theology and to a worship series that brought those ideas into the congregation in 2021.

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Why you'd press play

If you want process theology tested in a real congregation, press play.

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