- May 17, 2021
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Open theism was taught by the medieval Jewish philosopher Gersonides, as well as other medieval Jewish thinkers, based on Genesis 22:12, as well as other scriptures where God appears to react based on human decisions.
Genesis 22:12
“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” He said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
The reason why open theism doesn't contradict God's perfection is because, according to open theists, the future is unknowable because, by definition, it doesn't yet exist.
Asking if God can know a future that doesn't exist yet is, according to open theism, like asking if God can create a rock so big that even He can't lift it.
Open theism, while not a majority position, has been taught in Adventism for a long time:
I wonder if the support for open theism in Adventism is for preventing another Great Disappointment.
Mark 13:32
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
One could say that Jesus voluntarily emptied Himself of foreknowledge in human flesh, but wouldn’t He at least remember the date of His return if that were the case?
The day and the hour of Christ’s return are not predetermined, but instead will come to pass at the appropriate season.
Acts 1:7
He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
The due season will come once the Gospel has been preached to all peoples, giving them a chance of repentance before the Second Coming, but the exact date is yet to be determined.
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
2 Peter 3
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…
I wonder how well-regarded Richard Rice and other Adventist open theists are within Adventism today. If their position were considered unacceptable to the governing body of the church, would they be censored or reprimanded?
Genesis 22:12
“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” He said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
The reason why open theism doesn't contradict God's perfection is because, according to open theists, the future is unknowable because, by definition, it doesn't yet exist.
Asking if God can know a future that doesn't exist yet is, according to open theism, like asking if God can create a rock so big that even He can't lift it.
Open theism, while not a majority position, has been taught in Adventism for a long time:
I wonder if the support for open theism in Adventism is for preventing another Great Disappointment.
Mark 13:32
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
One could say that Jesus voluntarily emptied Himself of foreknowledge in human flesh, but wouldn’t He at least remember the date of His return if that were the case?
The day and the hour of Christ’s return are not predetermined, but instead will come to pass at the appropriate season.
Acts 1:7
He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
The due season will come once the Gospel has been preached to all peoples, giving them a chance of repentance before the Second Coming, but the exact date is yet to be determined.
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
2 Peter 3
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…
I wonder how well-regarded Richard Rice and other Adventist open theists are within Adventism today. If their position were considered unacceptable to the governing body of the church, would they be censored or reprimanded?