Anonymous asked: What are your views on Open Theism?
I am not a proponent of it, hah. I read a bit about it after reading Greg Boyd’s take on it in his book Letters from a Skeptic. The book is wonderful, but his section on Open Theism disturbs me.
As many of you know, I am Reformed and believe in the 5 points of Calvinism (and the additional 2 points that Piper explains Calvinism). I do indeed believe God has plans for everybody and knows what we shall we do. Some bits from Scripture to prove this are Psalm 139:2, when it is written, “You know when I sit and when I rise” and the fact that only God knows the day of judgment (Matthew 24:36). There are countless of Scripture that even say that things were predestined by God (Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 1:5, John 1:12-13). The fact is that God knows all things.
Boyd writes, “When an individual inflicts pain on another individual, I do not think we can go looking for “the purpose of God” in the event… . I know Christians frequently speak about ‘the purpose of God’ in the midst of a tragedy caused by someone else… . But this I regard to simply be a piously confused way of thinking.” I have to disagree with Boyd on this statement.
I personally believe that the Devil pulls down folks with sin and causes destruction thinking that it will only disprove the glory of God. But I know that God shines through all things and that all things glorify God in some way. I have had pretty unhealthy influences throughout my life and unlike me they never experienced the redemption of God. But their emptiness and wickedness helped me realize the necessity of God, and in this way the wretchedness in their life has glorified God. You see, I sincerely do believe that God can pull out His light from every space of darkness. I know God’s Light shines through all things and in the end… everything shall glorify God. Even Hell glorifies God, for His wrath and power are revealed eternally (Romans 9:22).
Open Theism denies God’s plans and purposes in all things and almost tears down God’s supreme power. Let me tell you this: God is sovereign and unendingly powerful and knowledgeable.
For more reading on Open Theism:
- John Piper’s take on Open Theism
- Logical Refutation on Open Theism by the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM)
For more reading on Reformed theology’s take on evil, sin, and purpose:
