John B. Cobb

John B. Cobb Jr. is an American philosopher and theologian who is the leading figure in process theology, the attempt to synthesise Alfred North Whitehead's process philosophy with Christian theology. His A Christian Natural Theology demonstrated in detail how Whitehead's metaphysical categories could be deployed in Christian theological thinking, providing an alternative to both classical theism and secular naturalism.

Cobb has engaged seriously with Buddhism, ecology, and economics, arguing that process thought provides resources for a philosophy that takes evolutionary development, ecological interdependence, and the intrinsic value of non-human life seriously. His concept of God as the lure toward greater complexity and beauty—rather than as omnipotent ruler—has made him a significant voice in constructive theology and environmental ethics, and in dialogue with Buddhist and other non-Christian traditions.