Greg Boyd - Q & A - What is Open Theism?

[chamomiletea]

I have always believed this before I found a name for it. Sitting in a Presbyterian pew perhaps makes me an outsider but I really don't mind. I believe God is my co-pilot and we work as a team. The outcome unfolds and is not preordained. God reveals as an awesome power for good. But, I know realized there are some dark forces out there which can bring us down. I didn't use to believe it and blamed it all on humans. Now after direct experience, I see that the dark forces too work in partnership with people-work through people. Form a strong relationship with Jesus and find hope and direction in the bible and through fellowship. This is the key. I love your videos, Dr. Boyd. I had been searching for someone who resonated with what I have been discovering through research and life experience.

[MarkusGhambari]

People who think Open Theism somehow degrades God's character, are no different that Muslims and Jews who believe a crucified Christ somehow degrades God's character. My answer to them is "For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." ~1 Corinthians 1:25

[Actuary]

Huge fan of Greg’s ministry. I personally find the idea of open theism interesting, and seems to be consistent with a being wanting to have genuine fellowship with another being. Regardless, I appreciate the fact Greg is coming from a place of sincerity, and welcomes even those who disagree.

[sorenpx]

If Open Theism is accurate then how does God declare the end from the beginning? (Isaiah 46:10)

[pastormikeleiter]

What did the open theist say to God?





SURPRISE!

[mikecude]

We we abandon classical theological views and accept new views...we’re going down a rough road

[JoshuaCoe]

Question to Open Theists.... So, I have read a lot on Open Theism and listened to Greg Boyd preach a few times. Great guy and I have much respect for Him as a Christian, as I do any Christian. I often find His interpretations of Bible verses to be pleasant to read and thoroughly enjoy his writings. My question is, what does the concept of prayer look like to an Open Theist. For Christ says to ask in His name, and we shall receive. But my question is how do you as an Open Theist view prayer. Does God only answer a prayer if other agents comply to His will and help put together His plan like a young boy puts together a puzzle? I am just curious as to see if prayer is any different to an Open Theist. Thank you, and God bless you brothers and sisters. 
-  Joshua

[farhan]

This Calvin vs Armenian vs Open debate has a parallel in Islam. We have the Qadariyya, who denied destiny/fate and God's will (Open), Jabariyya, who denied free will (Calvinist) and the Orthodoxy who had a balance between Free Will/Fate and I suspect most closest align to the Christian Arminian position.

[Megaritz]

I'm not an Open Theist, or any kind of theist, but here's my gist of the counterargument to your concern: God doesn't know what everyone will do, but he has certain plans of his own. God plans for Jesus to return in time (unless one is a preterist, and I don't know whether Boyd is or not) under the right circumstances--perhaps regarding a certain amount of evangelism having been accomplished, etc. Then he will initiate the end-of-ages events, ending with Satan's defeat under God's direction.

[rileytoews]

"...I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose..." - Isaiah 47:9-10

[nolandprice]

Having the freedom to choose in this life, is not ever to be merited to our own personal spiritual credit, but rather a necessary responsibility that we must bear as created beings.

[Fickoch]

To believe or not to believe (in anything or anyone) is a choice given to us by free will.

Most of us know in our hearts what is "right" and what is "wrong" ... if even only for us, personally.

Whether one sees this as "innate gifts of God" or "discernment through evolution" is not at issue, nor would either choice of viewpoint "condemn" or "save" a person in and of itself.

We are truly free to use our innate discernment in order to carry us as well as our neighbor/brethren through life, the key word there being ...life.

If it was one's personal interest to study and challenge initially perceived Biblical conflicts or "contradiction, discrepancy and error" as opposed to following another man's views, eventually, once the full context of research is uncovered with regard to historical evidence, Biblical accuracy, archeological evidence, etc., one may be led to see something that others cannot or in some cases, will not see.

Deep immersive research of language, history, Biblical corruption, etc., uncovers and flushes out perceived Biblical contradictions.

Any of us who believe can get all the answers we seek, just by asking Him from the heart.

Those who do not believe (formerly myself for 43 years) are left with open-ended puzzles and questions pertaining to the world and its manifold evils, which continue to vex the soul and mire down the person with issues.

The choice is ours. God didn't want robots... He wanted company.

YHVH Bless!

[contenderfortruth]

God said there us no one like me, I know the end from the beginning.

[Wunji]

"In no way is it implied that God is limited in His knowledge. The future does not exist. There's nothing to know." - Then Revelation is fiction?

[coachuppercut]

Open theism destroys the sovereignty of God, prophecies, it destroys the scriptures

[timioszander]

Open theists believe that God knows everything. But the future doesn't presently exist so there's nothing to know. For example, it is not now true that you will eat bacon tomorrow for breakfast. Nor is it false. It will BECOME true or false when you make your decision whether to eat bacon. If it were either true NOW, you wouldn't have the free will not to eat bacon tomorrow morning. If it were false NOW, you wouldn't have the free will to eat bacon tomorrow morning.

[allgreekme]

How does God's foreknowledge fit into this view of divine providence? Does he not use this attribute in order to fulfill his purposes--like the Calvinists believe, or does he employ it, like the Arminians think?

[pekkle]

There are diff branches w/in "Open Theism." To be honest, I'm not sure where I fit in all this. Some say, "God allows Himself to not know" (a famous theologian, Dallas Willard, is sympathetic to this view) and some ppl say "God knows only what He decides to know." So to answer your question, "I don't know."

[mozzarella]

"If you are curious to seek and find a way that they balance, I can describe it in a PM to you."

[mcjohnston]

* The Lord frequently changes his mind in the light of changing circumstances, or as a result of prayer (Exod. 32:14; Num. 14:12–20; Deut. 9:13–14, 18–20, 25; 1 Sam. 2:27–36; 2 Kings 20:1–7; 1 Chron. 21:15; Jer. 26:19; Ezek. 20:5–22; Amos 7:1–6; Jonah 1:2; 3:2, 4–10). At other times he explicitly states that he will change his mind if circumstances change (Jer. 18:7–11; 26:2–3; Ezek. 33:13–15). This willingness to change is portrayed as one of God’s attributes of greatness (Joel 2:13–14; Jonah 4:2). If the future were exhaustively and eternally settled, as classical theism teaches, it would be impossible for God to genuinely change his mind about matters.

* God sometimes expresses regret and disappointment over how things turned out—even occasionally over things that resulted from his own will. (Gen. 6:5–6; 1 Sam. 15:10, 35; Ezek. 22:29–31). If the future was exhaustively and eternally settled, it would be impossible for God to genuinely regret how some of his own decisions turned out.

* At other times God tells us that he is surprised at how things turned out because he expected a different outcome (Isa. 5:3–7; Jer. 3:67; 19–20). If the future was eternally and exhaustively settled, everything would come to pass exactly as God eternally knew or determined it to be.

* The Lord frequently tests his people to find out whether they’ll remain faithful to him (Gen. 22:12; Exod. 16:4; Deut. 8:2; 13:1–3; Judges 2:20–3:5; 2 Chron. 32:31). If the future were eternally and exhaustively settled, God could not genuinely say he tests people “to know” whether they’ll be faithful or not.

* The Lord sometimes asks non-rhetorical questions about the future (Num. 14:11; Hos. 8:5) and speaks to people in terms of what may or may not happen (Exod. 3:18–4:9; 13:17; Jer. 38:17–18, 20–21, 23; Ezek. 12:1–3). If the future was exhaustively and eternally settled, God could never genuine speak about the future in terms of what “may” or “may not” happen.