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The dangers of open theism
- Thread starter StartedAtEly
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- Mar 18, 2004
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It is a "forbidden topic" in Theology (it can only be discussed in UTD), but the faith groups have a slightly more relaxed attitude and it can be discussed but not promoted.
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To be honest this guy seems very Calvinistic. Which is fine, but he is def. misrepresenting Open Theism a bit. Its not so much that God doesn't know whats going to happen but that He knows every path that can be taken. It is more of a time theory anyway. To Open Theist the future simply hasn't happened yet. When it does occur God knew completely what that option was but Open Theist would say God is living and aware of changes in human free will. Thus, He knows every outcome and every choice that can ever be made. Does the future surprise God? No. Does He even know the outcome? Yes. Again Open Theism is a theory on time. My own belief differs from Open Theism but I still think it raises some good questions and has some good ideas to offer.
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Resha Caner
Expert Fool
Since "open theism" is a term already laden with bad connotations by many in the Christian community (and there are versions of open theism that promote some very poor theology), it's not one I would claim to own.
But I do ascribe to "voluntary nescience," which is always listed as a form of open theism, and then never discussed as people go on to bash the bad forms.
What I try to do is walk the line between two unacceptable extremes. At the deterministic extreme, people take the position that God created evil, and yet somehow he's not responsible for it (which does not agree with scripture). At the other extreme, people take the position that God doesn't know the future because he can't know it (which does not agree with scripture).
The voluntary nescience I try to explain takes the middle ground. Whatever it is that God knows, that does not determine the evil we do. The details of how that works can be hard to understand. I have something that works for me, but not everyone I've discussed it with agrees. Hmm. Maybe it's because we're finite and we'll need to wait for God to explain how this all works.
But I do ascribe to "voluntary nescience," which is always listed as a form of open theism, and then never discussed as people go on to bash the bad forms.
What I try to do is walk the line between two unacceptable extremes. At the deterministic extreme, people take the position that God created evil, and yet somehow he's not responsible for it (which does not agree with scripture). At the other extreme, people take the position that God doesn't know the future because he can't know it (which does not agree with scripture).
The voluntary nescience I try to explain takes the middle ground. Whatever it is that God knows, that does not determine the evil we do. The details of how that works can be hard to understand. I have something that works for me, but not everyone I've discussed it with agrees. Hmm. Maybe it's because we're finite and we'll need to wait for God to explain how this all works.
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Wanda Lee
Newbie
I think that many who believe in Open Theism want to think they are capable of having all the answers. God is God and we are human with limited knowledge.
If you haven't read "There Really Is A Heaven," it as some things that would apply here. It is the story of a 4 year old boy who nearly dies and goes to heaven. I am skeptical of most near death experiences - this one is very different with credible proof he truly was there.
If you haven't read "There Really Is A Heaven," it as some things that would apply here. It is the story of a 4 year old boy who nearly dies and goes to heaven. I am skeptical of most near death experiences - this one is very different with credible proof he truly was there.
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- Mar 18, 2004
- 71,373
- 8,027
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
- Faith
- Calvinist
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Republican
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I heard this 'idea' Open Theism in a bible study at a home as a guy had argued that it's true!! But the church he goes to is big on 'letting' or allowing false teachings to freely reign in its pews.Scarry.
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