John Cobb and the Soul of Claremont: A Legacy That Lives On
By Steve Horswill-Johnston
Dr. John B. Cobb Jr. (February 9, 1925 – December 26, 2024) was more than a theologian and philosopher—he was a mentor, a guide, and a presence that shaped lives, including my own. My first experience of Dr. Cobb lecturing in 1985 fundamentally shaped my understanding of God. I came to class for that first lecture with a tape recorder and questions—big questions about faith, reason, and how to reconcile intellect with spirituality. But what I encountered that day was something extraordinary. For the first time, someone invited me to bring both my brain and my feelings into a fuller, richer understanding of what I meant by God. Now, forty years later, I listened to that recording again. Its wisdom had not faded. I made a transcript and sent it to my sons, hoping they, too, might glimpse the depth of understanding that Dr. Cobb embodied.
Throughout my career in communications and as Executive Vice President of Claremont School of Theology (CST), I was fortunate to continue learning from Dr. Cobb. Whenever I needed his insight, he was there. He always took my calls, whether for an interview, a theological perspective, or just his steadying wisdom.
One memory stands out in particular—when we were working on the 66 Years on Route 66 event, marking CST’s departure from its historic Claremont campus. It was a time of uncertainty, a moment that felt like an ending. But Dr. Cobb helped provide clarity and meaning, framing the transition not as a loss, but as part of the larger process of growth and change. He saw theological significance in everything—from the grandest ideas to the smallest details—and he shared that gift with all who sought his counsel.
Dr. Cobb’s tenure at CST, spanning from 1958 to 1990, transformed the school’s intellectual landscape. His co-founding of the Center for Process Studies in 1973, alongside Dr. David Ray Griffin, was a defining moment for CST and for the global theological community. The Center became a gathering place for scholars, theologians, and activists who saw in process thought a framework that could integrate faith with science, philosophy with ethics, and spirituality with a deep concern for the planet’s future.
His work in process theology was groundbreaking, taking the philosophical insights of Alfred North Whitehead and weaving them into a compelling vision of Christian faith. His books, including A Christian Natural Theology (1965) and Christ in a Pluralistic Age (1975), helped define a new theological paradigm—one that embraced change, relationality, and the interconnectedness of all things. His commitment to ecological theology was also ahead of its time. His book Is It Too Late? A Theology of Ecology (1971) was prophetic in its urgency, calling for a theological response to the environmental crisis at a time when few in religious circles were discussing such matters.
But perhaps the most enduring aspect of Dr. Cobb’s legacy was the way he shaped the lives of those he taught and mentored. His students did not just leave CST with degrees; they left with a sense of purpose, a commitment to intellectual curiosity, and a belief that theology should always be in service to the world. To sit in a class with Dr. Cobb was to be challenged, inspired, and invited into a lifelong conversation about what it means to be human, what it means to be faithful, and what it means to be responsible for the world we share.
Even in his later years, long after his official retirement, Dr. Cobb remained deeply engaged in the work of CST and the Center for Process Studies. He continued writing, speaking, and advocating for the integration of process thought into broader theological and ethical conversations. His presence was a reminder that theology is never finished—that faith and reason must always remain in dialogue, and that the search for truth is a journey, not a destination.
Dr. Cobb shaped the very definition of what people think of when they think of Claremont School of Theology. His presence will always be in the air, no matter where the school is located now or in the future. His influence is woven into the DNA of CST—its scholarship, its mission, and its commitment to a theology that is always in process. While his physical presence may be gone, his legacy remains a living force, continuing to challenge, inspire, and shape the work of Claremont School of Theology for generations to come.
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