The online Encyclopedia of Philosophy defines open theism—also referred to as openness theology or free will theism—as follows:
"Open Theism is the thesis that, because God loves us and desires that we freely choose to reciprocate His love, He has made His knowledge of, and plans for, the future conditional upon our actions. Though omniscient, God does not know what we will freely do in the future. Though omnipotent, He has chosen to invite us to freely collaborate with Him in governing and developing His creation, thereby also allowing us the freedom to thwart His hopes for us. God desires that each of us freely enter into a loving and dynamic personal relationship with Him, and He has therefore left it open to us to choose for or against His will."
This depiction of open theism offers an idealized vision of divine-human interaction, emphasizing themes of love, freedom, and collaboration. However, upon closer examination, the concept of God having imperfect knowledge of the future is not only heretical from a Christian perspective but also riddled with logical inconsistencies. It undermines key attributes of God, creating numerous theological problems that challenge the foundations of Christian doctrine.
First, open theism calls into question God's omniscience, suggesting that He must learn the outcomes of human choices as they unfold. This idea starkly contradicts Scripture's portrayal of God as the one who knows the future perfectly. As Psalm 139:4 declares, "Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely." Similarly, Psalm 139:16 affirms, "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." These verses highlight God's exhaustive knowledge of human actions, thoughts, and decisions—even before they occur.
Furthermore, open theism implies that God could be mistaken about the unfolding of future events, jeopardizing His ability to achieve His divine plans. Isaiah 46:9-10 counters this notion with an emphatic declaration of God's sovereignty: "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come." This passage underscores God's unparalleled knowledge of the past, present, and future, reinforcing His control over history's trajectory.
The logical implications of open theism extend even further, casting doubt on the reliability of biblical prophecy. Jeremiah 1:5 provides a striking example of God's foreknowledge: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Similarly, Jesus’ prediction in Matthew 26:34, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times," illustrates God's ability to foresee specific human actions with precision. These examples affirm that God's omniscience is integral to His nature and essential for the fulfillment of prophecy.
Open theism also undermines trust in God's capacity to answer prayers accurately or guide humanity reliably. The Bible refutes this idea by declaring that God's comprehension is infinite: "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit" (Psalm 147:5). Additionally, Hebrews 4:13 states, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Such verses establish that God's knowledge encompasses all things, visible and invisible, leaving no room for uncertainty or error.
Proponents of open theism may argue that their theology preserves God's sovereignty by emphasizing His relational nature. Yet, Scripture reveals that open theism does precisely the opposite—it diminishes God's glory and majesty. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," emphasizing the vast gulf between God's wisdom and human understanding. If God’s knowledge were limited as open theism suggests, He would be reduced to the level of the idols worshipped by pagans, powerless and fallible. Isaiah 41:22-23 vividly illustrates this contrast, inviting false gods to prove their worth—a challenge they cannot meet.
This depiction of open theism offers an idealized vision of divine-human interaction, emphasizing themes of love, freedom, and collaboration. However, upon closer examination, the concept of God having imperfect knowledge of the future is not only heretical from a Christian perspective but also riddled with logical inconsistencies. It undermines key attributes of God, creating numerous theological problems that challenge the foundations of Christian doctrine.
First, open theism calls into question God's omniscience, suggesting that He must learn the outcomes of human choices as they unfold. This idea starkly contradicts Scripture's portrayal of God as the one who knows the future perfectly. As Psalm 139:4 declares, "Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely." Similarly, Psalm 139:16 affirms, "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." These verses highlight God's exhaustive knowledge of human actions, thoughts, and decisions—even before they occur.
Furthermore, open theism implies that God could be mistaken about the unfolding of future events, jeopardizing His ability to achieve His divine plans. Isaiah 46:9-10 counters this notion with an emphatic declaration of God's sovereignty: "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come." This passage underscores God's unparalleled knowledge of the past, present, and future, reinforcing His control over history's trajectory.
The logical implications of open theism extend even further, casting doubt on the reliability of biblical prophecy. Jeremiah 1:5 provides a striking example of God's foreknowledge: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Similarly, Jesus’ prediction in Matthew 26:34, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times," illustrates God's ability to foresee specific human actions with precision. These examples affirm that God's omniscience is integral to His nature and essential for the fulfillment of prophecy.
Open theism also undermines trust in God's capacity to answer prayers accurately or guide humanity reliably. The Bible refutes this idea by declaring that God's comprehension is infinite: "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit" (Psalm 147:5). Additionally, Hebrews 4:13 states, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Such verses establish that God's knowledge encompasses all things, visible and invisible, leaving no room for uncertainty or error.
Proponents of open theism may argue that their theology preserves God's sovereignty by emphasizing His relational nature. Yet, Scripture reveals that open theism does precisely the opposite—it diminishes God's glory and majesty. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," emphasizing the vast gulf between God's wisdom and human understanding. If God’s knowledge were limited as open theism suggests, He would be reduced to the level of the idols worshipped by pagans, powerless and fallible. Isaiah 41:22-23 vividly illustrates this contrast, inviting false gods to prove their worth—a challenge they cannot meet.
Open theism presents an alluring but fundamentally flawed portrayal of God’s nature. It compromises His omniscience, sovereignty, and reliability, straying far from the biblical depiction of the God of infinite wisdom and power. The God of Scripture is not bound by uncertainty or limitations; He is the eternal, all-knowing Creator who governs the universe with perfect knowledge and authority.
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