S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

"Open theism," also known as "openness theology" and the "openness of God," is an attempt to explain the foreknowledge of God in relationship to the free will of man. The argument of open theism is...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Seth Freeman

Open Theism is a poorly supported, incorrect, philosophically based (as opposed to theologically/Scripturally) position that unfortunately has gained some traction over the past decade. 

It basically asserts that because we are completely free agents, it is logically impossible for God to actually know the future. For if God knew the future, then my choices would be determined and I would therefore not have the freedom to choose otherwise. Basically, if God knows that I will have a bagel for breakfast today, then I am not free to choose otherwise. 

The biggest problem with open theism is that it serves to create a completely different idea of the God presented in the Bible. The God of Open Theism has no clue what's going to happen tomorrow. This God is only interacting with humanity in a reactionary capacity, really just hoping that all the prophecies made in Scripture come true, but not actually knowing for certain whether or not they will. This God does change His mind, and His will is terribly difficult to accomplish. 

I much rather prefer to embrace the mystery of an omnipotent and omniscient God. Accepting that He is completely beyond my understanding and comprehension in His greatness and glory. 

For me, I think of it like this: I am free to eat a bagel for breakfast or have a bowl of cereal. The choice is completely mine. God already knows what I will choose. But the important thing is that His knowledge is based upon my choice - my choice isn't based upon His knowledge. Because I will choose the bagel, God knows I will choose the bagel. If I was going to choose the cereal, God would know I was choosing the cereal. 

Foreknowledge is simply an attribute that God possesses. Foreknowledge is different than predetermining an action.

October 30 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report