Robert John Russell’s Theology of God’s Action

This essay explains and analyzes Robert John Russell’s theory of divine action. Russell’s proposal has exercised significant influence on others working in the area of science and religion with interests in Christian systematic theology. It would be valuable to trace the lines of that influence, but I do not have space to do that here. I can testify to his influence in more personal terms, however. For years I was Bob’s semi-regular passenger as he drove to work in his storied old green Volvo. We spent countless hours discussing theology and science, divine action, and every topic under the sun in that car; not even engine fires distracted us. He was then and continues to be a marvelous conversation partner. He sees deeply and broadly, registering connections across disciplines as easily as within them. It is in such conversations that I most appreciate his Gilbert-and-Sullivan ability to talk quickly: there is a lot to say when you see as much as he does all at once. I have always treasured his insight, support, and friendship, and I am honored to continue our conversations in this critical and appreciative reflection on his theory of divine action. It would be possible to start in on Russell’s network of theological ideas from any point and thereby contextualize his theory of divine action. I shall begin with his theory of special divine action and then work outward to his sensitive theodicy, his Trinitarian understanding of God, and his theological interpretation of history, including the creation and consummation of the universe, though I have space only to situate these later ideas. Along the way I will try to press Russell’s personalist theological perspective from my own more mystical perspective of God as ground and power of being. I do not seek to convert him to my way of thinking because the spiritual resonances and intellectual structure of our two views are quite different and I know he likes his more. Nevertheless, I do intend to make a serious challenge to him. In particular, I want to invite him to give the ancient Greek heritage of Christian doctrine more weight in his theology, which seems to me too much in thrall to biblical portrayals of God as a divine person instead of to the unchanging God of the philosophers, to Jerusalem instead of to Athens. I would never expect him to follow me as far as I go toward Athens. I would be happy to know, however, that he was inspired by this latest of our conversations to contemplate adjusting the balance. The main focus of my attention will be on Russell’s contributions to the Divine Action Project, a series of research conferences and publications jointly sponsored by the Vatican Observatory and Russell’s own organization, the Arbortext Advanced Print Publisher (formerly 3B2) {Jobsin}S96646/12 Gods Action Chapter 11.3d Date 30/1/06 Time 11:05am Page 147 of 170