Thomas Jay Oord

Thomas Jay Oord (b. 1965) is a philosopher and theologian who specializes in research related to love, relational thought (including relational theism,) and science and religion.

Education

Dr. Oord holds a PhD and MA from Claremont Graduate University, an MDiv from the Nazarene Theological Seminary and his BA from Northwest Nazarene University. He has also been ordained in the Church of the Nazarene. He currently teaches in the School of Theology and Christian Ministries at NNU.

Philosophical and Theological Contributions

Oord's contribution to love studies begins with his definition: to love is to act intentionally, in sympathetic response to others (including God), to promote overall well-being. He intends for this definition to be adequate for research in science, theology, and philosophy.

Oord has critiqued the ways the classic forms of love -- agape, eros, and philia -- have been defined by theologians and philosophers. He offers his own alternative definitions:

- agape: a love the promotes overall well-being when confronted by that which generates ill-being (or, to use biblical language, returning evil with good)

- eros: a love that promotes overall well-being by affirming that which is valuable or beautiful

- philia: a love that promotes overall well-being when cooperating with others

As a relational theologian, Oord believes that the fundamental nature of all things existing is relational. What it means to exist is decided by the decisions made in relation to the influence of others, including God. Oord argues that God is also relational, and God and creatures mutually influence one another. While creatures influence God, God's essence remains constant. But God's influence precedes each moment of creaturely existence. This preceding divine influence is the inspiring and empowering of prevenient grace.

Oord's contributions to science and religion research are varied. Oord argues that love and altruism are important theological and scientific categories for contemporary research. He has worked to demonstrate the possible compatibility of theology and some forms of evolutionary theory. And Oord has argued that the traditional doctrine of creation out of absolutely nothing does not make scientific, theological, or biblical sense in light of the problem of evil and the centrality of divine love relations.

Thomas Jay Oord is currently theologian and philosopher at Northwest Nazarene University, theological consultant for the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, academic correspondent and contributing editor to Science and Theology News, and officer in a variety of scholarly societies. Oord is also an ordained minister in the small holiness movement denomination called the Church of the Nazarene.

Selected Bibliography

Relational Holiness: Responding to the Call of Love. (with Michael Lodahl) (2005)

Science of Love: The Wisdom of Well-Being. (2004)

As editor and contributor:

Philosophy of Religion: Essay Introductions. (2003)

Thy Name and Thy Nature is Love. (with Bryan P. Stone) (2001)

Generation Xers Talk about the Church of the Nazarene. (1999)

External links

1965 births | Living people | American philosophers | 21st century philosophers | Theologians

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Thomas Jay Oord

Education

Philosophical and Theological Contributions

Selected Bibliography

External links